Quiz: Best Deals in July 2026

Retailers get a head start on the school year in July with discounts of 20 to 50 percent off items ranging from notebooks and binders to backpacks and laptop computers. It’s a good time to get your kids or grandkids the supplies they need at a discount before the selection is picked over later in the summer.

“Many retailers begin to mark down inventory while there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy,” says Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at coupon code website CouponFollow. “Stores do this because they would rather sell patio sets and grills at a discount now than risk carrying excess inventory later into the fall.”

Even if you’re not planning a summer getaway, buying a suitcase, packing cubes, a neck pillow or other travel accessories in July could save you money on future trips. Experts say to look for deals of 20 to 40 percent off at stores such as Macy’s, Samsonite and Target.

“The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is one of the standout shopping events in July because it offers discounts on new merchandise rather than end-of-season clearance items,” says Elisabella Ricca, personal finance and consumer analyst at TopCashback.com. The sale runs July 18 through August 9. Look for other major department stores, such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, to mark down their summer inventory, too.