Shopping 4th of July sales? Don't buy these three things, according to experts

NBC News

14 hours ago

While the Fourth of July is synonymous with watching fireworks, taking trips to the beach and barbecuing with loved ones, it's also a great time to shop Fourth of July sales this week. Deals are already live across retailers like Amazon, Target, Home Depot and REI, giving you the chance to save on items that are top of mind this season. 'July Fourth sales cater heavily to our summer lifestyles, offering huge savings on products that can satisfy our need for outdoor fun and comfort,' says Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty. For example, that air conditioner you're dreaming about or the chic bathing suit that's calling your name? It's likely discounted right now.
Consumers plan to spend an average of $140 during Fourth of July sales this year, according to a recent survey from RetailMeNot. The key to saving is shopping strategically, so I put together this guide with tips about what to buy and skip, plus how July Fourth sales compare to Amazon Prime Day discounts.
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Should you shop early Fourth of July sales?
Since July Fourth is happening within the next week, many retailers are already offering deals — and yes, you should shop early. 'Late June through July 5 is your prime window,' says Stephanie Carls, a shopping expert at RetailMeNot. There's no need to hold out for the actual holiday to take advantage of deals, especially since popular items sell out quickly. Shopping early gives you the best opportunity to find exactly what you're looking for in the ideal size and style, and it lets you spend time comparing prices across retailers, says Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, a shopping and savings strategist at Rakuten. Additionally, shopping early may mean you get to use the products you purchased during the July Fourth weekend, says Porwal.
What to buy during Fourth of July sales
A little bit of everything is on sale during the Fourth of July, but there's a few product categories you should focus on. I broke them down below and included examples of the types of deals you'll see this week. All products I recommend are at least 20% off and highly rated.
Air conditioners and fans
Many parts of the country are currently experiencing a heat wave with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in some areas. If the heat and humidity are causing you to consider buying a new air conditioner or fan, now is the best time to do so. 'Inventory and selection decrease later in the summer, while prices go up, so you'll want to purchase sooner than later,' says Porwal. He recommends browsing deals from high quality A/C brands with lots of positive reviews to get the most value since window and portable units tend to be an expensive investment. Windmill, Midea, LG and Frigidare are some of our favorites.
Outdoor furniture and patio decor
July Fourth sales are the first time this year when retailers offer strong discounts on outdoor furniture and patio decor, including dining sets, lounge chairs, couches and umbrellas, says Carls. If you buy now, you have the rest of the summer to enjoy using your purchases. Popular styles tend to sell out quickly, and since July Fourth marks the transition from summer to pre-fall in the retail world, companies won't likely restock when seasonal items are gone, says Carls. That said, don't wait to check out if you fall in love with something.
Grills
Retailers won't offer the absolute best deals on grills until the end of the summer when they host clearance sales. But if you need a new one immediately, you'll find plenty of worthwhile discounts across models during July Fourth sales, says Carls. She recommends looking for grills on sale at big-box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's since they tend to have the most inventory and lowest prices.
Hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, lawn games — whatever your favorite outdoor activity is, it likely involves some type of gear, which will be discounted during July Fourth sales, says Porwal. Specialty retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods and REI tend to have the best deals on these types of items, and you can expect to see discounts up to 30% off.
Seasonal apparel and footwear
Clothing and shoe stores like DSW, Gap, Old Navy and Foot Locker usually host sitewide sales around July Fourth, giving you the opportunity to refresh your warm weather wardrobe. Look for adult and kids activewear, bathing suits, beach attire and footwear like flip flops and sneakers between 20% and 40% off, says Porwal. Brands will discount seasonal apparel and footwear even more in the next few weeks, but overall, there's lots of lucrative deals during Fourth of July sales, says Carls.
$19.99
$29.99
Amazon
Now 33% off $19.99
$25.00
Walmart
Now 20% off
What to know
Mattresses and bedding
Strong mattress and bedding deals are a guarantee during Fourth of July sales, and they tend to rival Memorial Day's offerings. Pay attention to promotions from direct-to-consumer brands like Casper, Tempur-Pedic, Leesa and Avocado, as well as browsing deals at retailers like Mattress Firm, says Carls. We've historically seen deals over $800 off, and companies usually throw in a free gift with purchase, like pillows and bedding, or offer free haul-away and white-glove delivery services if you buy during the holiday weekend.
Large home and kitchen appliances
Fourth of July sales are a great time to buy appliances like refrigerators and dryers, especially because retailers want to get rid of last year's models to make room for newer inventory, says Gerstley. You can save even more when you buy multiple pieces together — you may unlock extra discounts or rebates if you're bundling appliances, like a washer and a dryer, or a dishwasher and a refrigerator, says Carls. She also recommends looking for delivery perks when you buy large home and kitchen appliances, like free shipping, installation and haul-away services.
What to skip during July Fourth sales
You won't see strong strong sales on the below product categories until later this year.
Electronics: Hold off on buying tech like laptops, tablets and smart home devices until Amazon Prime Day, says Carls. She also doesn't recommend buying TVs until later this year — we see some of the best deals during Black Friday promotions.
Back-to-school supplies: Deals on these types of items tend to start in early August and run through Labor Day, plus there's Sales Tax Holidays coming up in select states, many of which include back-to-school supplies, says Porwal.
Fall apparel and footwear: Clothing and shoes like jeans, boots and jackets go on sale closer to the back-to-school season, so don't buy anything for your fall wardrobe just yet, says Porwal.
Expert tips: How to save money while shopping Fourth of July sales
Set a budget: Go into Fourth of July sales with a maximum amount of money you're comfortable spending, says Gerstley.
Go in with a plan: Make a list of everything you want to buy ahead of time and get an idea of what they typically cost. 'Knowing what you actually need prevents you from being swayed by flashing markdowns,' says Gerstley. 'If you're on the fence about something, give yourself 48 hours to decide if you really want it or if it's an impulse buy.'
Stack savings: Prioritize shopping from retailers that participate in cash back programs, and consider paying with credit cards that you earn points or cash back from. You can combine those rewards with the retailers' actual deals and promo codes, which lets you save more.
Compare prices: Almost every brand and retailer hosts Fourth of July sales, so compare prices to see who has the lowest ones. 'Prices can vary a lot even within the same product category, especially for tech and appliances,' says Gerstley. If you're ordering online, compare shipping fees, too. Additionally, some retailers have price matching policies.
Sign up for brands' newsletters and SMS lists: Companies keep shoppers updated about new price drops, limited-time deals, exclusive promo codes and early access to sales through newsletters and text programs, as well as their social media platforms.
Use store-wide discounts: If you're shopping at a department or big-box store, you're likely filing your cart with products across categories. Some offer store-wide discounts, which can often help you save on products that might not be on sale individually elsewhere, says Porwal.
Familiarize yourself with return policies: Most retailers don't have special return policies during sales, but double check to make sure. If something is a final sale, a retailer usually explicitly tells you.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm a reporter at NBC Select who's covered sales and deals for five years, including topics like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed three experts about what you should buy and skip during Fourth of July sales, and rounded up a handful of tips about how to save money while shopping.