We’ve all been there…
You run out of cereal or toilet paper, so you head to the store and pick up a couple of packages at full price, only to see them on sale the next week! Bummer, right?? Happens all the time, but knowing how certain sale cycles work can really help you avoid that situation!
Rotational Sales Cycles
The rotational sale cycle is typically just the store’s way to rotate the stock on their shelves. For most products, this cycle runs approximately every 12 weeks, although some products, like cereal, have a shorter cycle of 6 weeks, while other items run on a longer cycle of 24 weeks.
Tracking your store’s ads for a few months can help you recognize the different cycles of items you buy most. When the sales come around, you should be stocking up just enough to get you through until the next cycle. Gotta keep your own stockpile fresh without running out. Makes sense, right?
Seasonal Sales Cycles
When you think of seasonal sales, you might think of office supplies during back-to-school, or Valentine’s chocolate in February, but there are MANY more items that go on sale at specific times of the year. Here are some of the best items to buy each month…
JANUARY:
Christmas Clearance: Toys, trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, lights, home decor, gift sets, etc.
Diet Aids: Gym memberships, scales, workout clothes, yoga mats, weights, treadmills, vitamins, protein shakes, supplements, diet foods, etc.
Home Organization: Closet systems, tote bins, shelving, as well as linens and sheets.
Medications: Cold and flu products, thermometers, vitamins, probiotics, etc.
Super Bowl Sunday: Televisions, soda, chips, dips, cheeses, chicken, snack foods, and team apparel.
Seasonal Produce: Everything citrus (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines), as well as some root vegetables, avocado, cabbage, broccoli, pears, spinach, celery, kiwi, cauliflower, kale, collards.
National Oatmeal Month: Watch for big sales and coupons on Quaker products! These generally have a great shelf life.
New Year’s Party Supplies: Noise makers, fireworks, paper goods, wines and sparkling juices.
FEBRUARY:
National Canned Food Month: Canned fruit and vegetables, pie fillings, soups, meats like tuna, chicken, salmon. (Consider grabbing an extra case for donating!)
National Hot Breakfast Month: Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, grits, waffle mixes and frozen waffles, syrup, breakfast meats, frozen hash browns.
Valentine’s Day: Chocolate, condoms, lubricants, chocolate, perfume, wines, chocolate, flowers, candles, steak and seafood, and did I mention CHOCOLATE??
Chinese New Year: Asian foods and condiments.
Furniture: Mattresses, recliners, some large appliances, sofas, air conditioners, humidifiers
Seasonal Produce: artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, grapefruit, kale, oranges, parsnips, pears, potatoes, turnips, kiwi, avocado
Boats and motorcycles
Zoo, Aquarium, and Museum Memberships
Winter clothing and sports equipment: coats, ski equipment, etc.
MARCH:
Frozen Food Month: Frozen meals and entrees, pizza, fruits and veggies, side dishes, juice concentrates, ice cream and other frozen treats and desserts, chicken.
Winter Clearance: Snow shovels, skis and sleds.
Spring/Easter: Decorations, baskets, candy, ham, eggs and egg dyeing kits, gift sets, dresses and accessories.
Winter Clothes
Luggage
Golf Clubs
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Haas Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine
APRIL:
Easter Clearance: decorations, baskets & grass, egg dyeing kits, stickers, candy.
Earth Day: Organic foods, natural cleaning products, reusable bags and water bottles, CFL and LED lighting.
Spring Gardening: Gardening equipment, seeds, greenhouses, bird feeders
Carpet
Digital Cameras
Computers
Seasonal Produce: artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, grapefruit, mushrooms, onions, peas, rhubarb, strawberries
Vacuums
Tires
Beauty Products
Allergy Medications
Spa Week
Tax Day Deals and Freebies
National Car Care Month Deals and Freebies
MAY:
Cinco de Mayo: Chips, salsa, shredded cheeses, tortillas, beans, piñatas.
Memorial Day: Barbecues, charcoal, burgers and hot dogs, buns, chips, disposable plates and utensils, ketchup and mustard, chips, soda, Popsicles.
Mother’s Day: Flowers, perfume, gift sets, chocolate, jewelry.
Gardening Supplies: Plants, soil, seeds.
Summer Supplies: Sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Peas, New Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries
Baby Supplies: Highchairs and strollers
Interior and Exterior Paint and Stains
Pet Supplies
This is also a great month to consider adopting an animal from your local shelter. They’re usually overrun with kittens in the Spring.
JUNE:
National Dairy Month: Milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, eggs, whipping cream and Cool Whip
Father’s Day: Tools, ties, briefcases, beer, etc.
Fourth of July: Toward the end of the month you can score big on barbecue supplies, charcoal, burgers and hot dogs, buns, chips, disposable plates and utensils, ketchup and mustard, chips, soda, Popsicles.
Seasonal Produce: Apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, corn, cucumber, eggplant, grapes, honeydew, nectarines, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, red onions, squash, strawberries, sweet vidalia onions, tomatoes, watermelons
JULY:
National Ice Cream Month: ice cream, cones, etc.
Fourth of July: Fireworks, barbecue supplies, charcoal, burgers and hot dogs, buns, chips, disposable plates and utensils, ketchup and mustard, chips, soda, Popsicles.
Home Improvement: Now is the time to upgrade your deck and siding, as well as purchasing interior and exterior paints and stains.
Back-to-school Supplies begin to go on sale.
Seasonal Produce: Asian pears, Bartlett pears, green beans, blueberries, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, figs, garlic, grapes, nectarines, red onions, Valencia oranges, peaches, sweet bell peppers, plums, potatoes, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon
AUGUST:
Summer Clearance: Sunscreen, insect repellent, charcoal, gardening supplies, swimsuits, fans and air conditioners, camping gear, pools, life jackets, swing sets, grills, etc.
Back-to-School: Now is the time to stock up on school/office supplies! Notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, binders, folders, staplers, dry erase markers, etc.
Household Items: Ziploc bags, paper towels, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, etc.
Lunch Supplies and Snacks
Breakfast Items: Frozen waffles, cereals, etc.
Dehumidifiers
Seasonal Produce: Avocados, beans, berries, cherries, corn on the cob, cucumbers, eggplants, figs, seedless grapes, melons, onions, peaches, pears, peppers, plums, summer squash, tomatillos, and tomatoes.
SEPTEMBER:
Back-to-School Clearance: Stores generally clearance out BTS supplies relatively quickly in preparation for Halloween. Watch for deep clearance markdowns!
Diabetes Awareness: Diabetic care– socks, test strips, sugar free products, vitamins, meters
Labor Day Sales: Lawn mowers, tractors, barbecues
Trees, Shrubs, Bulbs, and Other Plants: Fall is the best time to plant trees.
Snow Blowers
Summer Clothes
Seasonal Produce: Apples, artichokes, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, onions, pears (Asian & Bartlett), peppers (bell and chili), squash, tomatillo, tomatoes
OCTOBER:
Halloween: Candy, pumpkins, costumes, etc.
Baking Supplies: Flour, sugar, mixes, canned pumpkin, canned pie fillings, prepared pie crusts, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, nuts, etc.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: All things “pink”
Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Wet & dry dog food, dog toys & chews
Snow Tires
Bicycles
Large Appliances
Patio Furniture
Spa Week
Seasonal Produce: apples, artichokes, arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, cranberries, parsnip, pears, pomegranates, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, turnips, yams
NOVEMBER:
Halloween Clearance: Candy, costumes, and the super cool decorations you couldn’t bring yourself to buy before will all be discounted heavily, quickly because they want to get Christmas on those shelves ASAP. Stock up!
Veteran’s Day: Home goods, furniture, mattresses, free meals for vets, etc.
Baking Supplies: Flour, sugar, mixes, canned pumpkin, canned pie fillings, prepared pie crusts, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, nuts, etc.
Canned Foods and Broths
Spices
Holiday Staples: Turkey, canned pureed pumpkin, stuffing mix, boxed potatoes, gravy mixes, ready-to-bake rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, gelatin, marshmallows.
Baby Products
Cookware
Pajamas and Slippers
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales: Door buster sales on electronics, toys, clothing, etc. Check out our best Black Friday tips HERE.
Seasonal Produce: Anjou pears, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, celery, Comice pears, cranberries, kiwi, lemons, oranges, potatoes, squash, yams
DECEMBER:
Holiday Dinner: Eggnog, deli platters, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, bake-and-serve rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, Jello, marshmallows, baking supplies, canned foods, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, reusable food containers
Large Appliances
Vehicles: Score the best new car deals in December when they’re making room for new models, and when business is slow due to the weather.
Tools
Batteries
Thanksgiving Clearance
Post-Christmas Clearance: Stock your gift closet with after-Christmas clearance items.
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, bok choy, Bosc pears, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, celery, dates, grapefruit, hass avocados, kale, kiwi, kumquat, lemon, napa cabbage, oranges, sweet potatoes, red cabbage, rutabaga, savoy cabbage, spinach, winter squash, yams, turnips, white potato
Written by Danielle for Hip2Save. Danielle is a proud mom to 5 amazing kids in Utah, who lives for coffee and baking. She’s dedicated to balancing her own interests and passions, while encouraging her children to follow their own paths in life.