The summer is heating up and so are the savings! There are tons of deals surrounding the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday, and you’ll find other sweet offers throughout the month, including the annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It’s also the time of year when tax-free shopping season occurs in select states, which aligns perfectly with the back-to-school shopping craze that will start near the end of this month.
We want you to get the most bang for your buck every month, so we’ve once again used our internal discount data to calculate the average savings shoppers can expect to find. Check out the top categories to shop this month, the five we recommend waiting on, plus a complete list of all the top sales. Be sure to explore our interactive calendar above as well to shop deals directly or save your favorites to your personal calendar. Happy summer saving!
Top Sales to Shop in July
- RMN Summer Style Guide: Shop our curated guide for the hottest looks of the season. You’ll surely turn some heads after you shop our picks!
- REI Fourth of July Deals: Celebrate the Fourth with REI! Get up to 50% off select outdoor gear and clothing. Let the summer adventures begin! Shop by July 6.
- The Home Depot Red, White, and Blue Savings: Save up to 35% on select major appliances and so much more. Don’t miss this big event at The Home Depot. These savings run through July 8.
- Fourth of July Deals: Find all the firework-worthy savings! Shop these exclusive Fourth of July deals and enjoy up to 70% off.
- Lowe’s Fourth of July Sale: Score up to 40% off patio furniture, grills, and more. Make this an unforgettable summer with the help of Lowe’s! Event ends July 8.
- Best Buy Appliance and Tech Event: Save up to 45% on kitchen appliances and discover deep discounts on TVs, laptops, and smart home devices too. There are too many great savings to pass up! Shop by July 8 for these savings.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods Summer Outer-Limits Sale: Get up to 50% off outdoor essentials like coolers, tents, and summer apparel now at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Many exciting outings await, so shop these deals by July 8!
- Sonic Deals for America’s Birthday: In honor of the USA turning 250, Sonic is releasing a limited-time America $2.50 menu. Enjoy Jr. Double Cheeseburgers, All-American Hot Dogs, and more on this limited-time menu through July 12.
- CVS Extra Big Deals: Don’t miss the chance to shop markdowns and more during the latest CVS Extra Big Deals Event running July 5-18! Join the ExtraCare program for free to get great prices and earn rewards.
- Ulta Big Summer Sale: Take up to 50% off your next beauty haul when you shop the Ulta Big Summer Sale! There are weekly rotation deals and free gift-with-purchase promos too.
- Church’s Texas Chicken Discount: Now through July 19, celebrate the World Cup with Church’s Texas Chicken! Get $5 off a $35 or more purchase when a World Cup game has a goal.
- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Mark your calendars! This highly-anticipated fashion event from Nordstrom is nearly here. Keep an eye out for digital previews of the designer markdowns coming July 6. Plus, if you’re a cardmember, look into early access starting around July 14. Public access begins July 18.
- Moe’s Southwest Grill Catering Deal: Impress your guests and cater your next gathering with Moe’s Southwest Grill! Get 10% off your order of $150 or more when you use code SUMMER26 at checkout online or in-app throughout this month.
- RMN Cash Back Boost Event: Power up your shopping with up to 20% cash back at your favorite brands. Our latest rewards event won’t last long, so start stacking your savings from July 23-26.
The 5 Smartest Things to Shop for This July
1. Clothing (Average Discount: 27% Off)
While for some it may still feel like summer just started, retailers are already onto the next. This month, you’ll start to see some summer styles hitting those sweet clearance racks, so be sure to snag your favorites when you see them marked down. You’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy wearing them throughout this season of sunshine.
Shop deals from some of our favorite clothing brands:
- Nordstrom
- Old Navy
- PrettyLittleThing
- Levi’s
- PUMA
2. Office Supplies (Average Discount: 18% Off)
It won’t be long now before back-to-school shopping begins. This means it’s time to buy all the school and office supplies your heart desires! Get your kiddo ready for the next year of learning, stock up the home office with the essentials, or both.
Look for deals on office supplies from these brands we love:
- Office Depot OfficeMax
- CVS
- Staples
- Walmart
- Best Buy
3. Home & Garden (Average Discount: 18% Off)
Fourth of July sales are reliably great for scoring home and garden deals. Create the outdoor space of your dreams this summer while you still have plenty of weeks to enjoy it before the temperatures drop. You can give the inside of your home a seasonal makeover too if you see some discounts on decor that calls your name.
Check out these home & garden brands that often have amazing deals:
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Macy’s
- Ace Hardware
- The Home Depot
- At Home
4. Mattresses (Average Discount: 17% Off)
A new mattress is a big investment, so getting the timing right is key. Fourth of July weekend and the surrounding days are a great time to find good mattress deals! If your sleep quality isn’t where it should be, make an upgrade to improve your quality of life without breaking the bank.
Here are some mattress retailers we recommend:
- Keetsa
- Wayfair
- Mattress Firm
- Beautyrest
- Nectar
5. Sporting Goods (Average Discount: 17% Off)
Sports are some of the best outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the summer, and luckily it’s a great time of year to stock up on the gear you need! Grab all the equipment and other essentials to help you play more of your favorite sport or try out something new. Strike while the prices are right!
Save more when you shop for sporting goods from these retailers:
- Academy Sports
- adidas
- Nike
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Amazon
The 5 Things NOT to Shop for in July
1. Major Appliances
While there certainly are some appliance sales around the Fourth of July that might match up with your needs, there will likely be larger markdowns later in the year. If the upgrade is urgent, go ahead and find the best holiday weekend deal. However, if you have time to hold out for the best price, look for major markdowns around Labor Day weekend or Black Friday.
2. Luggage and Travel Gear
Did you know July is one of the most high-traffic travel months of the year? While everyone and their mother is stocking up on travel gear and upgrading luggage for their upcoming trip, hang back for a bit. When the travel rush of peak summertime is over in August and September, you can swoop in and get the best prices.
3. Tech
Tech prices in July are pretty mediocre. Why? Because retailers are waiting for back-to-school shopping to start to drop the best deals. Luckily, this means you don’t have to wait too long. Look for the best deals in August when college students are gearing up for the next semester. You’ll also find awesome tech prices during Black Friday if you can wait for November.
4. Summer Footwear
Sandals, and flip flops, and water shoes — oh my! There are so many footwear styles that scream summer. Unfortunately, none of them are marked down during the summer itself. Hold out until August or September. Once back-to-school shoes start taking over the shelves, summer footwear will finally drop below full price.
5. Grills and BBQ Gear
We all love backyard barbecues and retailers know it! July is peak grilling season, so the prices are higher than the temps of hot coals. You’ll see minor discounts around the Fourth of July, but the sweetest prices will hit in September or October, post-Labor Day. Savvy shoppers — you know when to strike.
The post Save the Dates: What to Buy in July appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
