Staying Fit
February may be the shortest month of the year, but there’s still plenty of time for shoppers to discover good deals. You’ll find winter clothing and winter sports gear on deep discount this month, though inventory and selection may be low as retailers finish clearing out those items.
Many of the biggest savings will be on big-ticket items for the home like appliances, furniture and mattresses. As they’ve done with Black Friday sales, which are now spread across November, retailers will be extending Presidents Day sales beyond the actual holiday, on Feb. 21.
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“Presidents Day sales are not limited to one day or one weekend,” says Kimberly Palmer , a spokesperson with personal finance website NerdWallet. “They often start early in the month and extend late into the following week.”
Read on for an insider peek at the types of products that shopping experts says retailers tend to mark down this time of year.
1. Appliances
Whether you’re renovating a kitchen or are ready to replace an old or inefficient washer-dryer set, this is a great month to find major deals on appliances, according to an analysis by technology publisher DigitalTrends.com. One note: Supply chain issues persist for appliances, so even if you’re able to pick out and order your appliances at the price you want, you may need to wait a month or longer for delivery.
Where to look for deals: Sears, Best Buy, Home Depot
Potential savings: 20 percent or more
2. Winter sports gear
While the snow and temperatures may continue falling for weeks to come, retailers are already trying to clear out cold-weather items to make room for spring inventory. That means you can find great deals on snow pants, skates and sleds (though you might do better with skis in March).
Where to look for deals: REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart
Potential savings: 30 percent or more
3. Mattresses
Presidents Day represents one of the biggest shopping events of the year for the mattress industry, and retailers lower their prices significantly to move product. Palmer suggests doing some research and even shopping ahead of time, so that you’re ready to order as soon as the sales hit.
Where to look for deals: Mattress Firm, Macy’s, Overstock.com
Potential savings: Up to 50 percent
4. Jewelry
You’ll see the best deals in the first half of the month, leading up to Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, especially on things like diamonds and heart-shaped pieces. To boost your savings even more, do a quick coupon search before making your purchase either online or in the store. “That’s one of the biggest holidays of the year for jewelry retailers,” says budgeting expert Andrea Woroch, “so there is a lot of competition.”
Where to look for deals: Macy’s, Kay Jewelry, BlueNile.com
Potential savings: 20 to 30 percent
