Labor Day Sales Are Live! Here's What to Expect

Uniqlo Men's Sale

Shop a variety of men's clothes with rock-bottom starting prices, including t-shirts from $4 and pants from $10. The pictured Uniqlo Men's Premium Linen Long-Sleeve Shirt is only $19.90 after $20 off, and you can opt for in-store pickup to avoid the $7.99 shipping fee. Otherwise, brace yourself — you'll need to stock up and spend at least $99 to bag free shipping.

When Do Labor Day Sales Start?

Like other shopping-friendly holidays, Labor Day features sales that tend to kick off about two weeks before the day itself. For instance, last year Labor Day fell on September 4, but the first sale we saw popped up on August 20, though it was called a "pre-Labor Day sale." We're expecting a similar timeline in 2024. The first sale should kick off in mid-August at the latest.

If you're wondering what the first Labor Day sales tend to include, the truth is it can vary. In 2020, the first sale we saw was from Omaha Steaks, which offered up to 45% off grilling combos, along with two free pounds of ground beef and free shipping with orders of at least $159. In 2021, the first event we found was a Lowe's Labor Day sale. The sitewide savings applied to everything from appliances and furniture to decor and bath fixtures. In 2022, the first event we listed was from Raymour & Flanigan, which knocked up to 40% off mattresses, furniture, and decor, among other items. And last year that first "pre-Labor Day sale" came from Steep & Cheap, which took up to 60% off brands like Patagonia, Columbia, and The North Face.

How Long Do Labor Day Sales Last?

Labor Day sales often go until the end of Labor Day itself or the day after. That said, there are always retailers that run their events through the end of the week, if not even longer. It's a bit of a toss-up, so check your favorite stores' events to see how long you have to shop.

SEE ALSO: How to Save the Most During Lowe's 2024 Labor Day Sale

What Should You Buy From Labor Day Sales in 2024?

What to Expect From Labor Day Sales in 2024

Save Up to 70% During Labor Day Clothing Sales

Labor Day is an excellent opportunity to shop for warm-weather apparel, as it's when many retailers try to clear out the rest of their summer stock by offering deep discounts. It's a good time to look to outdoor companies like REI, which last year cut up to 50% off plus an extra 20% off men's clothing items, specifically. Eddie Bauer, meanwhile, took up to 50% off during its Labor Day sale. So if you want outdoor clothing for summery weather, these types of sales are perfect for stocking up.

It's not just outdoor wear that goes on sale either. Stores selling plenty of other types of clothing celebrate, as well. For instance, last year multiple retailers offered up to 50% off, including Nike and JCPenney, while others offered as much as 70% off. Look for Tommy Hilfiger and Macy's to offer that discount amount again this year.

Looking for kids' clothing for the new school year? Keep an eye out for The Children's Place to offer serious savings. In the past, it's knocked up to 70% off, so if you haven't looked for clothing in Back to School sales yet, Labor Day will be another good time to shop.

Shop Mattresses That Are Up to $900 Off

If you're in need of a mattress upgrade, Labor Day is a perfect time to find a good mattress deal. Last year, plenty of retailers offered sales and even bonus accessory bundles to sweeten the deals.

For instance, Purple cut up to $900 off mattress sets as well as 20% off accessories, including pillows, sheets, and more. Meanwhile, Saatva knocked up to $500 off mattresses in its event, and Home Depot cut up to 52% off select beds during its sale.

Historically, we've seen retailers include bundles of accessories for free with certain purchases. Watch for items like pillows to come with your new bed at no extra charge. Some stores may even offer extra savings in the form of instant credits, so shop around before you buy.

Get Grilling With Barbecue Discounts Reaching Up to 60% Off

With summer basically done by Labor Day — even if it's not official — summery items should see huge discounts as retailers try to clear them off the shelves. Grills are one of these types of products, and stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot will be great places to look, though not your only options.

Last year, BBQGuys knocked up to 60% off during its Labor Day Flash Sale, while Lowe's cut up to a whopping $528 off select grills during its holiday sale.

Save Up to 40% or More During Appliance Sales

Major appliances usually see discounts ranging from 30% to 40% off depending on the holiday, though occasionally retailers offer higher discounts. Last year, stores stuck to this trend. For example, Home Depot took up to 50% off appliances from various brands, while Lowe's took up to $800 off.

SEE ALSO: 2024's Best Upcoming Holiday Shopping Sales

Keep an eye out for Best Buy to offer savings on appliances, as well. Last year, it took up to 40% off more than 300 appliances in its sale, as well as an extra 10% on select kitchen packages or an extra $100 on select laundry pairs.

Pick Up Patio Furniture at 75% Off

With warmer weather on its way out, it's a great time to upgrade your backyard setup. Like other seasonal items, patio furniture is one of those products that's better to buy when you don't need it. Fortunately, if you do purchase it during Labor Day sales, you might actually have a few more weeks of warmer weather to use it before it gets too chilly out.

Think outside the box when it comes to patio sales. For instance, Kohl's typically offers generous discounts. Last year it took up to 40% off select patio and garden items, as well as an extra $10 off $25. Lowe's knocked up to 75% off patio furniture in its sale, and AllModern cut up to 60% off select outdoor and patio lounge seating. Even better, a coupon code netted an extra 20% off those items, as well.

Aside from sales, look for great individual deals. In 2022, for instance, we saw stackable patio chairs for $14, "gravity-free" lounge chairs from $38, and storage tables for $54.

Want to enjoy your patio even with cooler temps? Watch for heating elements to be on sale, too. In the past, we've seen wood-burning fire pits for as little as $18 and patio heaters for $69 at Walmart.

Don't Be Surprised If Travel Deals Are Scarce

Many people are hyped to travel in an effort to capture the waning days of summer. But that doesn't mean the deals are there. Demand is still strong, so airlines, hotels, and cruise lines may not have much reason to offer incentives to entice travelers. There should still be some travel deals around Labor Day, though — they may just not be as good as historical savings.

Some of the best offers we saw around Labor Day last year included a Great Wolf Lodge Sale that took up to 50% off stays through the rest of the year, last-minute travel deals at Groupon for up to 60% off, and a Frontier Airlines GoWild! unlimited flight pass for just $299.

We also saw an offer for a 9-, 10-, or 11-day Dublin, London, and Paris vacation with airfare included from just $1,199.

If none of the travel deals are appealing, consider using Labor Day as an excuse to pick up new luggage. Last year, Kohl's knocked up to 50% off luggage as well as an extra $10 off $25, and it gave out Kohl's Cash. Meanwhile, Home Depot cut up to 60% off and REI offered up to 50% off.

Ready to shop? Check out the Labor Day deals available right now, and follow us on TikTok to get more helpful tips.