The big Labor Day blowout sales are over, but that doesn’t mean the deals have disappeared. Retailers are still clearing out summer inventory and making room for fall merchandise, which can mean steep discounts for savvy shoppers. At the same time, inflation and new tariffs have been pushing up prices on everything from groceries to electronics, so stretching your dollar matters more than ever.
In August, the USDA reported that food-at-home prices were 2.2% higher than a year earlier, and a recent Yale Budget Lab analysis suggests 2025 tariffs have lifted goods prices roughly 1.9% above the pre-2025 trend. With budgets under pressure, knowing when to pounce on a sale (and when to wait) can make a real difference.
Big-Ticket Items: Mattresses and Appliances
Mattresses are still on sale
While some of the deepest discounts appear during Labor Day weekend, Consumer Reports notes that many mattress deals extend through September. On its website, a Casper Dream Queen mattress was almost $600 off, lowering the price to $1,325, a significant saving for a model that testers found comfortable, durable, and ideal for back sleepers. These extended sales are common because retailers need to clear out old models as new collections arrive for the holiday season.
Appliances are discounted into fall
Large appliances also remain a smart buy this month. Consumer Reports highlighted the LG washing machine WM3400CW, a water and energy-efficient front-loader that typically costs hundreds more. At Lowe’s, it was marked down to $691, saving shoppers over $300.
AARP’s September shopping guide reinforces this trend, noting that retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Wayfair often cut prices on refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers by 25-40% during and after Labor Day sales. Because new models debut in the fall, stores use September to unload remaining stock.
Seasonal yard tools and tailgate gear
September is also a great time to pick up outdoor equipment you’ll use later in the season. Consumer Reports recommended the Ego LB7654 battery-powered leaf blower, which topped their ratings and is currently on sale at Lowe’s for $324 and on Amazon. Its reliability and power make it a good investment before leaves begin to fall in earnest. For football fans, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 portable grill was reduced to $340 on Amazon, down from its original price of $465. Built‑in wheels make this grill easy to transport for tailgating or camping.
Apparel and Travel Gear: Stock Up for Next Summer
Summer clothes and swimwear
End-of-season clearance sales can slash prices on warm-weather apparel by as much as 80%. AARP reports that retailers like JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Target heavily discount summer clothing and swimwear. Buying now and storing items for next year can yield substantial savings compared with waiting until spring.
Luggage bargains
Travel demand typically dips after Labor Day, and luggage brands want to move inventory. AARP notes that quality brands such as Away, Samsonite, and Tumi offer 20-35% off suitcases and travel accessories in September. If your suitcase has seen better days, now is the time to replace it before holiday travel pushes prices back up.
Electronics: Smart Speakers and Smartphones
Smart speakers
With tech companies poised to roll out new gadgets ahead of the holidays, older smart speakers are on markdown. Retail analysts told AARP that Amazon, Costco, and Walmart often discount popular devices like Echo and Nest speakers by 20-25% in September. Waiting until Black Friday could yield slightly deeper cuts, but if you need a smart speaker sooner, perhaps to help with fall cooking or home-office tasks, September offers respectable savings.
Smartphones: Weigh your timing
Google released the Pixel 10 on August 20, and Apple’s iPhone 17 is expected in early September. As these flagships arrive, retailers clear out older models. AARP estimates that discounts on previous-generation phones can range from 10-15%. That said, if you’re not in a hurry, Black Friday may bring even steeper price cuts, especially on 2024 models.
Beauty and Self-Care Products
While big-ticket items grab headlines, smaller luxuries see discounts too. AARP advises that cosmetics retailers, including Credo Beauty, Sephora and Ulta, run up to 50% promotions in September. Stocking up on your favorite skincare or makeup items now can tide you over until holiday gift sets arrive.
What to Skip (For Now)
Fall decor and new tech launches
Stores start stocking Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations in early September, but prices will almost certainly drop closer to the actual holidays. Unless you need to decorate right away, wait until October or November for markdowns. The same goes for brand-new tech (like the soon-to-launch iPhone 17); early adopters pay a premium, while those who wait a few months can get a better deal.
Winter apparel and gift sets
Retailers rarely discount winter coats, boots, and holiday gift sets this early. Sales on cold-weather gear typically don’t pick up until November, and gift sets are often cheapest in December. Keep your wallet closed on these items for now.
Tips for Savvy September Shopping
- Compare prices and read reviews. Use tools like CamelCamelCamel or Honey to track price histories and make sure you’re seeing a true discount. Reading Consumer Reports evaluations (as referenced above) can help you choose quality products.
- Check return and warranty policies. Big‑ticket items may offer limited return windows during clearance sales. Ensure you’re comfortable with the retailer’s policies before purchasing.
- Negotiate when possible. While not every retailer will haggle, mattress stores and some appliance sellers may match competitors’ prices or throw in free delivery or accessories when asked. AARP notes that haggling can save buyers an extra chunk of change.
- Set a budget and stick to it. September deals can be tempting, but it’s wise to prioritise needs over wants—especially with holiday spending on the horizon.
Bottom Line
Labor Day may be over, but the savings haven’t stopped. From heavily discounted mattresses and appliances to clearance summer clothing and reduced smart speakers, September offers plenty of opportunities to save. At the same time, rising prices—driven by ongoing inflation and tariffs on imported goods—make it more important than ever to shop strategically. By focusing on categories where retailers are offloading inventory and waiting for items to drop further in price later in the season, you can stretch your dollar and set yourself up for an affordable fall and winter.
More Ways to Stretch Your Dollar
- 10 Grocery Price Increases That Worry Shoppers the Most – Explores which grocery items have seen the biggest price spikes and why products like olive oil and eggs are getting pricier.
- Cheapest Grocery Stores in America – A roundup of the most budget‑friendly grocery chains, explaining how private‑label products and no‑frills policies help them keep costs down.
- The Cheapest Fast‑Food Items That Actually Fill You Up – Highlights inexpensive fast‑food menu items that offer generous portions, from Taco Bell’s Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito to McDonald’s Big Mac.
