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Experts say the best Labor Day deals center around three categories, which I broke down below and included examples of discounts currently available. All products I recommend are at least 20% off and highly rated.
Retailers want to get rid of as much summer fashion, outdoor equipment, patio furniture, gardening supplies and grills as possible to make room for fall and winter inventory, says Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty. They clear shelves during Labor Day by offering deep discounts on anything related to the warm weather. For example, in years past, some grills have been up to 50% off at Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart, says Carls. Big box and home improvement stores tend to have the most robust summer clearance sales during Labor Day, but smaller retailers slash prices, too.
Because summer products are so deeply discounted during Labor Day, they often sell out — plus, many items are almost out of stock by the end of the season. If you have your eye on a specific style, color or size, add it to your cart and check out quickly, says Porwal.
Three-day holiday weekends like Labor Day are known for their discounts on major home and kitchen appliances like ovens, ranges, washers and dryers. While there are numerous worthwhile deals on individual products, you may unlock extra discounts or rebates if you’re bundling appliances, like a dishwasher and a refrigerator, says Carls. She also recommends looking for delivery perks, including free shipping, installation and haul-away services.
Mattress and bedding deals are guaranteed during three-day holiday weekends, and companies like Mattress Firm, Casper, Purple, Brooklinen and Sleep Number are already offering some of their lowest prices of the year. Stores usually throw in a free gift with purchase, like pillows and bedding, or offer free haul-away and white-glove delivery services if you buy during the holiday weekend. You’ll also find strong discounts on furniture and home decor like couches, rugs, coffee tables and indoor dining sets.
You won’t see great sales in the following categories until later this year.
Yes, tariffs are impacting Labor Day sales. “Last year, some categories dipped 30 to 40%, but this year, many are topping out close to 20 to 25%,” says Carls. That means you might need to rethink your savings strategy to make up for weaker discounts. Porwal recommends putting more effort into stacking savings, which means combining retailers’ deals with additional coupons and promo codes, enrolling in cash back and loyalty programs, and paying with credit cards that let you earn points or cash back as you shop. “It’s less about one big slash and more about stacking smaller wins,” says Carls.
While tariffs may be causing retailers to offer softer Labor Day discounts compared to years past, sales are still absolutely worth shopping. On top of the tariffs that are already live, there’s a new round set to go into effect on Aug. 29. These additional duties will put more financial strain on retailers, many of whom have been absorbing costs since earlier this year to keep costs steady and spare customers. Brands may now be forced to raise prices this fall, especially as they restock their warehouses for the holiday season and have to import items, says Carls. Overall, Labor Day may be your last chance to “tariff-proof,” or buy products ahead of anticipated price increases, says Porwal.
Some retailers already started their Labor Day sales, but the majority of them will be live by Friday, Aug. 29, giving shoppers about four days to compare deals and checkout.
Yes, early Labor Day sales are worth shopping. Once retailers drop prices and advertise their deals, discounts likely won’t get much better, if at all. Shopping early is beneficial because it’s the best way to guarantee that what you have your eye on won’t sell out in the size, color or style you want, says Porwal. Items tend to go out-of-stock as we get closer to the actual holiday on Sept. 1, which is especially the case for summer clearance — products like warm weather clothing, grills and patio furniture tend to have the most limited inventory since it’s the end of the season.
While there aren’t necessarily better Labor Day sales online, there are more deals to browse compared to what’s on shelves in stores, and you can stack promo codes and cash back offers at checkout, which brings down the cost of your cart, says Carls. It’s also simply more convenient to shop sales online from wherever you are, and you can easily compare prices across retailers.
The main downside to online shopping is that you have to wait for your order to be delivered, plus shipping delays are always a possibility. In-store shopping eliminates both of these cons — you bring home what you buy that day, so there’s no waiting or delays. You can also feel and try products in stores, which is especially helpful if you’re buying clothes, shoes, appliances and furniture, says Carls. Stores tend to have clearance racks that aren’t available online, so you may find a hidden gem. But you may not think those benefits may not outweigh long lines and crowded aisles.
The moral of the story? “In-store is helpful if you want to test something in-person, but price-wise, there is not always an advantage to leaving your living room,” says Carls. If you want the best of both worlds, Porwal recommends taking advantage of stores’ buy online, pickup in-store programs.
Most Labor Day sales end at 11:59 p.m. on the holiday, Monday, Sept. 1, says Carls. Some extend through the following week, but there’s no guarantee, so experts recommend shopping before Labor Day is over.
For the past three years, Amazon has hosted Prime Big Deal Days in October, which is a second Prime Day-level sale that essentially kicks off the holiday shopping season. The retailer has not announced whether Prime Big Deal Days 2025 is happening yet — we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
“We are in the era of Black Friday creep,” says Carls. “Expect deal previews in October, with some retailers even starting in early November.” That said, the deepest discounts at most retailers start in late November and run from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. Experts recommend taking advantage of early deals on popular products that are likely to sell out, but plan to do the bulk of your shopping once Black Friday officially starts.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered deals and sales for over five years. I’ve covered events like Labor Day, Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed two experts about what to buy and skip while shopping Labor Day sales, and how to save the most money during the holiday weekend.
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