End of Summer Clearance Sales: What to Buy and Where
Sarah Mitchell ·
End of summer clearance sale guide: what to buy, where to shop, and how to get the best deals on seasonal items, outdoor gear, and clothing.
End of summer clearance events represent some of the deepest retail discounts of the year. Retailers need to clear seasonal inventory before fall merchandise arrives, creating markdowns of 50 to 80 percent on warm-weather products. Shoppers who plan ahead save hundreds by buying next summer's essentials at this season's clearance prices.
When Do End of Summer Sales Typically Start?
Summer clearance begins at most retailers around the Fourth of July and intensifies through August. The deepest markdowns hit during the last two weeks of August and first two weeks of September when stores aggressively clear floor space for fall and holiday merchandise.
Online retailers tend to start clearance earlier than physical stores. Amazon, Nordstrom Rack, and outlet stores begin moving summer inventory in late June. Watch for end-of-season filter options appearing in online store navigation as the first signal that clearance pricing has begun.
What Clothing Deals Appear During Summer Clearance?
Swimwear drops to 60 to 75 percent off during August clearance events. Shorts, tank tops, sundresses, and sandals all hit deep discount levels. Buy these items a size up for children who will grow into them by next summer, stretching your savings across two seasons.
Designer and premium brands mark down summer collections by 40 to 60 percent at outlets and department stores. Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Off Fifth run end-of-season events that bring luxury items into accessible price ranges. Basics in neutral colors work across multiple summers.
Should You Buy Outdoor Furniture During Summer Clearance?
Summer clearance is the best time to buy patio furniture, with discounts of 40 to 70 percent at Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart. Retailers cannot store bulky outdoor furniture through winter, so they price it to move. Selection narrows quickly, so shop early in the clearance window for the best choices.
- Patio sets — 40-60% off at home improvement stores from late July
- Grills — 30-50% off name brands, best selection in August
- Outdoor cushions and decor — 50-75% off as stores clear seasonal aisle space
- Pool accessories — 60-80% off floats, toys, and pool chemicals
- Garden tools and planters — 30-50% off, ideal for stocking up for next spring
- Outdoor lighting — String lights and solar fixtures at 40-60% off
Are Summer Clearance Electronics Worth Buying?
Portable electronics like Bluetooth speakers, action cameras, and portable chargers see summer clearance discounts of 20 to 40 percent. Retailers clear outdoor and travel-oriented electronics to make room for holiday inventory. These items work year-round despite being marketed as summer products.
Air conditioners and fans drop significantly in price during late summer clearance. Window units and portable ACs that sold at premium prices in June often hit 30 to 50 percent off by September. If you have storage space, buying AC units off-season saves considerably compared to buying during the next heat wave.
Where to Find the Best Summer Clearance Deals Online
Amazon Warehouse Deals features returned and open-box summer products at additional discounts. Filter by condition and category to find near-new items at clearance-level prices. Items rated 'Very Good' or 'Like New' typically show minimal signs of previous ownership.
Flash sale sites like Zulily and Rue La La run summer clearance events throughout August with deals lasting 24 to 72 hours. Subscribe to their email lists to receive daily deal notifications. Social media deal accounts on Instagram and Reddit surface limited-time summer clearance finds that sell out quickly.
How Much Can You Really Save During Summer Clearance?
A family that plans ahead can save $500 to $1,000 by buying summer staples during clearance events. Purchasing next year's swimsuits, outdoor toys, patio cushions, and summer clothing at 50 to 75 percent off represents genuine savings on items you would buy at full price next season.
The savings compound when you factor in multiple family members. Four swimsuits at $40 each bought on clearance at 60 percent off cost $64 instead of $160 — a $96 savings on just one clothing category. Multiply that approach across shoes, shorts, and accessories for substantial total savings.
What Summer Items Should You Skip on Clearance?
Avoid clearance sunscreen and bug spray near their expiration dates. Chemical sunscreens lose effectiveness after their printed expiration, and expired insect repellent may not protect against mosquitoes. Only buy these on clearance if expiration dates extend well into next summer.
Trendy or fashion-forward items that may look dated by next summer are also risky clearance purchases. Stick to classic styles and neutral patterns that work across multiple seasons. A neon geometric swimsuit at 70 percent off still wastes money if you will not want to wear it next year.
Do Stores Offer Additional Clearance Coupons?
Some retailers stack additional discounts on clearance prices. Kohl's applies extra percent-off coupons to clearance items, and their Kohl's Cash program works on clearance purchases. Old Navy's Super Cash and Gap's promotional discounts also apply to sale items for compounded savings.
Sign up for store loyalty programs before clearance shopping. Members often receive early access to clearance events and exclusive additional discounts. Target Circle members see personalized clearance offers, and Walmart Plus members get early access to clearance markdowns.
How to Store Summer Clearance Purchases for Next Year
Proper storage protects your clearance investments through the off-season. Wash and dry all clothing before storing in sealed bins with cedar blocks or lavender sachets. Vacuum-seal bulky items like pool floats and outdoor cushions to minimize storage space requirements.
Label bins with contents and sizes for easy retrieval next spring. Store outdoor furniture cushions in weather-resistant storage bags. Keep small items like beach toys and garden accessories in clear bins so you can verify contents without opening each container.
Making Summer Clearance Shopping a Yearly Tradition
Create a late-summer shopping list based on items that wore out or ran low during the current season. Check children's sizes for next year's clothing and buy one size up. Review outdoor gear needs and replace worn items at clearance prices rather than waiting until next season's full-price launch.
Set calendar reminders for late July to begin monitoring clearance sections at your preferred retailers. Follow deal blogs and subreddits that track seasonal clearance events. Treating summer clearance as an annual shopping event builds a habit that saves your family hundreds of dollars every year.