While you might want to use this weekend to bask in the last bit of evening sun, don’t forget to take advantage of the sales—which will likely have some great bargains before we see the holiday shopping season take off in October.

And with high inflation rates this year, we're seeing some interesting sales shaping up. So what items are worth snatching up this Labor Day weekend? Here are our picks for the best things to buy at Labor Day sales.

 

Patio Furniture

This is a staple end-of-summer bargain. If you love hanging out with guests outside or are looking for the perfect outside patio set this is the time to save big. Retailers will be trying to get rid of their summer outdoor accessories in prep for holiday decorations. The best part is you’ll be able to still use them for a month or so and have only a slightly used patio furniture set for next summer.

Cookware and Dinnerware

The summertime wedding boom is winding down, meaning many brands may be dropping the prices on select patterns to make room for next year’s new patterns. Macy's always offers strong cookware deals during their Labor Day sale.

Grills

Grill sales take a major hit once the winter cold hits, so many retailers try and sell off their summer stock with great Labor Day deals that continue into early fall. Keep in mind that charcoal grills have a lower price tag and will cost less upfront. But consider the cost of charcoal and how much you’ll use each time you grill. Gas grills cost more initially, and with current gas prices remaining high, you’ll need to consider which option is best for your lifestyle and grilling routine.

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Shoes

Summer and back-to-school styles will have significant markdowns this weekend. You’ll be able to grab styles that you can still wear until the cold weather hits and into the crisper fall months.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are known as a summer item, so an end-of-summer sunglasses sale will be in full bloom this Labor Day. This could be especially true with supply-chain disruptions causing the bullwhip effect on some clearance items this holiday season.

Mattresses

Labor Day is basically Black Friday for mattresses, and therefore a great time to buy. Retailers will offer one of their lowest bargains during this time. There is also no point in waiting for Black Friday to roll around in order to buy a mattress, most of the sales won’t center around them.

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Appliances

Now is a great time to start looking at older appliance models. To gear up for the end of the year, retailers are stocking up on new merchandise and dropping the prices of older models to clear stock. If an older model is available for less, there’s not much of a reason to pay more for something that will be dated next year anyway. For example, Home Depot almost always has a Labor Day sale on appliances, as do Sears, and Lowe’s.

Laptops

Back to school is well underway and having all the resources you need is essential. If you haven’t gotten that much-needed laptop before assignment due dates start rolling in this is your time to grab a greatly discounted laptop. Some best bets for laptop deals are Staples, the Apple Education Store, and Office Depot.

 

A Final Thought About Labor Day Sales

Our final tip for navigating the waters of this weekend’s sales is to always keep retail calendars in mind when checking Labor Day ads (and making large purchases in general). The off-season is a great time to buy pretty much everything. For example, stores are going to start making room for holiday items (yes, even this early!) and will want to get rid of summer items. If you think you might need a new lawnmower next year, get it now for a better deal instead of waiting until you need it; you’ll be more likely to pay the retail price if it’s an emergency.

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