When a retailer only throws two really big sales per year, you know you're going to see huge discounts. Check out our tips on shopping the semi-annual sales at Athleta, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, and more.

Tips for Shopping Semi-Annual Sales

Semi-annual sales are basically just end-of-season clearance sales. It's a chance for retailers to clear out older inventory and prepare for new items to come in. If you know the way these sales work, you'll be able to get the biggest bang for your buck.

If you shop semi-annual sales early, you'll be rewarded with a bigger selection of inventory and more available sizes.

Shopping the sales early gives you a couple of advantages. One, you can choose from a bigger selection of inventory, and two, more sizes should be available. So if you wear popular sizes, it's in your best interest to hit the sales early. But it's important to note that you'll also be shopping the bare minimum discount when you do.

If you want to go for bigger discounts, wait until later on in the sale. Items will typically become cheaper the longer a sale goes on.

10 Semi-Annual Sales to Check Out

Athleta

When Is the Athleta Semi-Annual Sale? Athleta's semi-annual sale typically starts in July. Another sale usually occurs anywhere from mid-December to early January.
What Discounts Will You See? Discounts should start at up to 60% off early in the sale. As time goes on, look for an extra 20% discount. In many cases, shoppers can score free shipping on $50.
What Will Be on Sale? Expect women's and girls' clothing to be on sale.

SEE ALSO: How to Buy a Swimsuit Online

Brooks Brothers

When Is the Brooks Brothers Semi-Annual Sale? The Brooks Brothers Semi-Annual Sale starts in late December and runs through early January. Another semi-annual sale tends to start in early- to mid-June, and runs for about two weeks.
What Discounts Will You See? The last Brooks Brothers winter sale took up to 50% off initially, with an extra 15% or 20% off being tacked on during certain days of the sale. Look for free shipping on orders of $150 to $250, or you may get lucky and snag no-minimum free standard shipping at the beginning of the sale. The Brooks Brothers summer sale tends to discount items up to 40% or 50% off; however, it doesn't appear that the retailer offered its summer semi-annual sale in 2020.
What Will Be on Sale? Brooks Brothers discounts men's, women's, and kids' items during their semi-annual sales.

Eddie Bauer

When Is the Eddie Bauer Semi-Annual Sale? It seems Eddie Bauer has moved away from "Semi-Annual Sale" branding, but that doesn't mean the sales have disappeared. Watch for the midyear sale to kick off in June and go by the moniker of summer sale, while the end-of-year sale should start around Christmas and reach into January. That one will likely be referred to as a winter sale.
What Discounts Will You See? Eddie Bauer's semi-annual sales have started by taking up to 50% off or 60% off sitewide, but as they've continued, the discount has sometimes gone up by another 10%. Clearance items have also been discounted by an extra 50% or 60% off via coupon codes. The sales often have free shipping on $49 or $75, and have even featured free shipping on all orders.
What Will Be on Sale? These events start with items discounted sitewide, including sale and clearance apparel, accessories, and gear. As they continue, the sales may focus more on sale and clearance items.

Victoria's Secret

When Is the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale? The Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale starts in early June and runs for up to seven weeks. The lingerie retailer also has a semi-annual sale that starts in late December and runs for roughly a month.
What Discounts Will You See? Early in Victoria's Secret's sales, discounts range from 25% to 70% off, and free shipping usually applies to either $50 or $100 orders. Later in the sales, discounts can grow to up to 75% off, with a coupon code cutting an extra 25% off clearance styles or one item.
What Will Be on Sale? Discounts cover select items, including bras and underwear, as well as sportswear, sleepwear, beauty products, and accessories.

SEE ALSO: When Is the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale?

Armani Exchange

When Is the Armani Exchange Semi-Annual Sale? Generally speaking, the retailer's semi-annual sale starts around late June and runs until August. Look for a second semi-annual sale lasting from the end of December through January or February. The retailer also has had midseason sales during March and April.
What Discounts Will You See? Last winter, the sale began by offering up to 50% off, but later on discounts reached 50% to 60% off. Shoppers could bag no-minimum free shipping a couple of weeks into the event.
What Will Be on Sale? Armani Exchange discounts men's and women's items during its semi-annual sales.

Ralph Lauren

When Is the Ralph Lauren Sale? Ralph Lauren has several sales starting at the end of a season or around a holiday. The summer sale normally takes place in July and August. The winter Ralph Lauren Sale typically begins around Christmas and runs through mid-January.
What Discounts Will You See? Recent summer and winter sales have often cut an extra 30% to 40% off, although we've seen Ralph Lauren take up to 60% off. In both cases, shoppers have been able to bag free shipping on orders of $125.
What Will Be on Sale? Discounted products include select men's, women's, and kids' styles and home items.

SEE ALSO: When Is Amazon Prime Day?

Gymboree

When Is the Gymboree Semi-Annual Sale? Owned by The Children's Place, Gymboree is another retailer that might be moving away from "semi-annual sale" branding. In the past, its winter event has started around Christmas and run until about mid-January. We've seen another semi-annual sale take place in June and run for roughly the whole month. However, we haven't seen a semi-annual sale from Gymboree in 2020.
What Discounts Will You See? Gymboree has typically taken up to 75% off during its semi-annual sales. Its summertime sale offers 40% to 60% off. Plus, Gymboree now offers free shipping every day.
What Will Be on Sale? The discounts apply sitewide, so it's a great time to stock up on kids' clothes.

Bath & Body Works

When Is the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale? The Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale starts in early or mid-June. A second semi-annual sale starts in late December, around Christmas.
What Discounts Will You See? Bath & Body Works discounts items up to 75% off. And as the sale goes on, you can expect coupons to take an extra 20% off, or an extra $10 off select orders. Occasionally, the retailer offers free shipping on orders above a certain amount, as well, such as for orders above $30.
What Will Be on Sale? The sale applies to select body care products, candles, hand soaps, and fragrances. Look for special deals such as "buy three, get two free" body care, and five hand sanitizers for $8.

Steam

When Is the Steam Sale? The Steam Summer Sale begins in late June and runs through early July. The Steam Winter Sale usually starts a few days before Christmas, and lasts for a couple of weeks at least.
What Discounts Will You See? Both Steam sales tend to have discounts as high as 80% or 90% off.
What Will Be on Sale? During both sales, expect discounts on select game downloads for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

SEE ALSO: When Is the Steam Summer Sale?

Samsonite

When Is the Samsonite Semi-Annual Clearance Sale? Look for Samsonite's semi-annual sale to start a few days after Christmas and run at least through the first week of January.
What Discounts Will You See? Samsonite's semi-annual sale is a clearance event that takes an extra 40% to 60% off clearance items. You may be able to get free shipping, too.
What Will Be on Sale? The discount applies to clearance items.

Readers, what semi-annual sales are you looking forward to? What are your favorite tips for shopping a clearance sale? Let us know in the comments below!

Related DealNews Blog Posts:

Clothing Under $10