5 Best Things to Buy in January

It pays off to wait until after the holidays to shop for some items

pile of delivered packages on the doorstep of a home while it is snowing

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Beth Braverman

En español

Published January 10, 2022

Even as rising inflation pushes prices up, there are still deals out there for savvy postholiday shoppers looking to start off the year by picking up a few bargains.

“November and December get a lot of the spotlight, but January is one of the best times to shop, especially if you’re shopping in the home category, or for fashion or beauty items,” says shopping expert and editor Kristin McGrath of RetailMeNot, a coupons and deals company.

Read on for an insider peek at the types of products that shopping experts say retailers tend to mark down this time of year.

1. Linens and towels

Stores have largely moved away from the term “white sales” in recent years, but the tradition of discounting bed and bath essentials in January remains. “Now they call them ‘home clearance events’ or ‘home savings events,’ but they’re the white sales of yore,” McGrath says.

Where to find deals: Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s

Potential savings: 20 to 70 percent off

2. Televisions

As retailers try to entice buyers to purchase a new set ahead of the Super Bowl in February — and clear out inventory before new models ship in the spring — they price their current models more competitively. An analysis of seasonal sales trends by NerdWallet, a financial products and reviews company, found late January to be one of the best times of the year to score a deal on a television.

Where to find deals: Best Buy, Walmart, Target

Potential savings: $100 to $300 off retail

3. Clothing

Retailers often stock up on clothing ahead of the holidays — and mark down whatever doesn’t sell once January hits. You’ll find the best deals on winter apparel, such as hats, gloves, and coats. “Retailers across America conduct their annual financial inventory and mark down their final seasonal merchandise for the best sales of the season,” says Shawn Grain Carter, a fashion merchandising professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Where to find deals: T.J. Maxx, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s

Potential savings: 40 to 75 percent off

4. Home fitness equipment

Need some new equipment in order to achieve your New Year’s resolution? “There are a lot of ‘New Year, New You’ deals,” says Kristen Gall, a retail expert and president of Rakuten Rewards, a company that offers shopping deals and incentives. “Fitness trackers and home gyms are probably the cheapest they’ll be during the whole year.”

Where to find deals: Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target

Potential savings: Up to 30 percent off

5. Beauty products

The deepest price cuts in this category will be on makeup sets that retailers were unable to sell during the holidays. In addition, McGrath says to look for discounted skin care products or other self-care items as retailers try to attract folks looking to refresh their beauty routines in the new year.

Where to find deals: Ulta Beauty, Sephora, SkinStore

Potential savings: Up to 50 percent off

Beth Braverman is a contributing writer who has covered shopping and personal finance for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in Consumer Reports, CNNMoney.com, CNBC.com and dozens of other publications.