Wouldn’t it be great if you knew when was the best time to get the absolute best prices on your favorite products? Is there anything worse than buying an item only to find out it’s on sale for half that price a little while later? The good news is that sales go in cycles on a monthly basis. Certain products are at their best prices (and higher value coupons come with more frequency) in a given month. By knowing how the sales cycles, you can plan your purchases to capitalize on that and get the best possible price for your purchases. Now you don’t have to be psychic!

 The following is a comprehensive list of the most common sales cycles that retailers use to determine when items are most frequently purchased, and therefore more frequently discounted. This is no guarantee you won’t find a comparable deal at another time, but it does indicate when you are most likely to find the best deal (and therefore a great time to stock up with enough of that item to last your family until the next time it reaches this “rock bottom” price.)

Monthly Sales Cycles

(AKA: what goes on sale each month)

 

January:

Sales Cycles: Oatmeal, “diet food”, organics, healthy foods, cold meds/remedies, cough drops, chips, appetizers, snack foods, winter veggies.
Clearance items will include Christmas items and New Year’s Eve products like partyware, stocking stuffers and decor.

February:

Sales Cycles: National Canned Food Month: canned fruit, vegetables, pie fillings, soups, meats, National Hot Breakfast Month: Hot breakfast items such as sausage, bacon, eggs, oatmeal, etc.
Clearance items will include: (after the 14th) Valentines items. Candies, chocolates, flowers, novelty items.

March:

Frozen foods, meals, appetizers, entrees.
Clearance items will include: St. Patrick’s Day items-anything Irish related.

April

Sales Cycles: ham, eggs, sugar, spices, baking mixes
Earth Day: organic foods, Energy Saver
Clearance items will include: Spring and Easter items

May:

Sales Cycles: BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments,barbeque supplies (charcoal, lighter fluid), salad dressing, potato chips, dips, paper plates/plastic utensils, other barbeque items, salsa, tortillas (Cinco de Mayo), camping/outdoor items like Citronella and bug repellent/sunscreen.

June:

Sales Cycles: National Dairy Month:  eggs, milk, ice cream, cheese, butter, yogurt, Cool Whip, hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ fare, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips 

July:

Sales Cycles: National Ice Cream Month, hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips

Back to School Sales begin for school supplies

August:

Sales Cycles: School supplies: erasers, pens, crayons, paper, binders, backpacks, notebooks, markers, note cards, pudding cups, lunch meat, single serve juices, lunchables (items for lunchboxes), Clorox and Lysol wipes & sprays
Clearance items will include: charcoal, swim suits, gardening items, fans, camping gear (think anything summer)

September:

Sales Cycles: School supplies: pens, pencils, paper (filler & printing), backpacks, erasers, folders, binders, dividers
Watch for: Labor Day Sales: department stores, furniture stores, etc often have Labor Day Sales, glucose meters, Glucerna cereal, diabetic care (test strips, sugar free products, vitamins) Since September is Diabetes Awareness Month
Clearance items will include: Steeper discounts on end-of-summer items.

October:

Sales Cycles: Halloween candy, costumes & accessories (most expire 10/31) Baking sales begin (now thru December for the upcoming holidays), canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, baking chips, pie crust, flour, etc.

November:

Sales Cycles: Baking goods, nuts, chocolate chips, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, cake & brownie mixes, flour, sugar, etc
Canned soup, broth, vegetables & fruits, spaghetti sauce
Holiday staples: turkey, canned pureed pumpkin, stuffing mix, boxed potatoes, gravy mixes, ready-to-bake rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, etc. Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Clearance items will include: Halloween decorations, party supplies and goodies, costumes, and other costume related items.

December:

Sales Cycles:  egg nog, deli platters, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, various refrigerated or frozen rolls, frozen pies, baking necessities, canned soups, gravies, broths, vegetables, etc.
Clearance items will include: Thanksgiving and holiday decor items

Do you have any other deals that you tend to stock up on at a certain time of the year? Let me know and I will update the list!

Did you find these sales cycles helpful?

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Thanks KCL for help with this list!

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