What to Expect From Labor Day Sales in 2022

Summer is winding down, deal-seekers, and while that might be disappointing, at least the great savings will soften the blow! Labor Day brings the unofficial end of the summer season, along with huge sales on a ton of items.

Check out our guide below to see what kinds of Labor Day discounts to expect in 2022, as well as when they'll likely start and how long they'll last.

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 6, but the first sale we saw popped up on August 18. We expect a similar timeline in 2022. With Labor Day happening on September 5, we should see events begin by August 21 at the latest, but more likely we'll see some popping up by the third week of the month, anywhere from August 13 to August 17.

If you're wondering what to expect from the first Labor Day sales, 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. Last year, the first sale we found came from Lowe's and was a sitewide event; the savings applied to everything from appliances and furniture to decor and bath fixtures.

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.

What to Expect From Labor Day Sales in 2022

Save 60% or More 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 The House, which knocked an extra 15% off $150 or more last year, and Columbia, which took 25% off or more. Eddie Bauer, meanwhile, took 40% off. So if you want outdoor clothing for summery weather, these types of sales are perfect for stocking up.

SEE ALSO: How to Set Up a Backyard Movie Theater on a Budget

It's not just outdoor wear that goes on sale either; stores selling plenty of other types of clothing celebrate, as well. In 2021, Michael Kors had a Labor Day sale that took an extra 25% off and provided free shipping, for example, while Perry Ellis knocked an extra 30% off, Gap took an extra 50% off, and Lands' End cut up to 50% off.

Looking for kids' clothing for the new school year? Keep an eye out for The Children's Place to offer serious savings. In 2021, it cut up to 60% off and offered free shipping, so if you haven't looked for apparel during the Back to School sales yet, Labor Day will be a good time to shop.

Shop Mattresses That Are Up to $700 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 bonus accessories with select purchases, as well, which sweetened the deals even more.

For instance, Nectar cut up to 33% off select mattresses during its sale, going up to $400 off list price. It also offered $399 worth of accessories for free, including a mattress protector, a sheet set, and pillows. Amerisleep had a similar deal, with 30% off mattresses via a coupon code and up to $239 in free accessories, while Tempur-Pedic took up to $700 off adjustable mattress sets and gave out a $300 instant credit for even more savings.

Get Grilling for Only $99

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 like Lowe's and Home Depot will be great places to look. Last year, Lowe's had a 3-burner liquid propane gas grill for only $99, as well as a larger 5-burner propane grill for $199. Expect plenty of sales to check out, too. Around Labor Day 2021, ZGrills took up to $140 off in its sale and BBQGuys knocked up to 50% off.

Appliance Sales Could Take Up to 53% Off

Most often, we see major appliances discounted by up to 40% off max. But last year, we saw some pretty generous savings that could theoretically show up again for Labor Day 2022. For example, Home Depot cut up to 53% off appliances. However, most Labor Day appliance sales we saw featured the standard discounts, with Samsung taking up to 35% off appliances and up to 30% off refrigerators specifically.

SEE ALSO: What's the Best Time to Buy Big-Ticket Items?

Keep an eye out for Best Buy to offer savings on appliances, as well. Last year, it had Labor Day discounts on all the big brands, including Samsung, LG, GE, and Whirlpool, among others.

Pick Up Patio Furniture at 80% 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 opt to 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, one of the best events we saw last year was from Kohl's, and it took up to 80% off a variety of items. Aside from sales, look for great individual deals like steel gazebos for $83, wooden rocking chairs for $110, and 2-packs of chaise chairs for $140.

Want to enjoy your patio even with cooler temps? Watch for heating elements to be on sale, too. Last year, we saw wood-burning fire pits for as little as $88 and stainless steel patio heaters for $99 at Amazon, Lowe's, and Home Depot.

Travel Deals May Be Scarce

Many people are hyped to travel after spending the majority of the last two years at home, but that doesn't mean the deals are there. Demand is super high, so there's no real reason for airlines, hotels, and cruise lines to offer any kind of incentive 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 last year included a 2-night stay at a Hilton in Mexico City for $199, as well as a 2-night Grand Canyon cabin getaway for two for the same price. We also saw a 3-night stay at a 5-star Playa del Carmen Resort with a partial ocean view for two guests starting at only $599.

Other excellent resort offers included three nights in Bermuda for $699, three nights in Cancun for $969 for two (plus a $300 resort credit), and five nights for two at a beach villa in the Maldives from $1,699. Even better, all these offers earned our Staff Pick designation, reserved for deals that are "the best of the best," and many had long booking times that wouldn't expire until this year.

If none of the travel deals are appealing, consider using Labor Day as an excuse to pick up some new luggage. Watch for Samsonite to once again take 20% off a variety of its pieces, so you can easily replace any worn-out bags you have or upgrade your basic roller.

Can't wait for Labor Day? Check out the very best deals available right now!