Wondering when the best sale of the year actually happens, and whether you should buy now or wait? For most shoppers in the USA, the headline answer is Cyber Week (Black Friday through Cyber Monday), but the true best sale of the year changes depending on whether you’re buying TVs, clothes, furniture, or flights.

This guide gives you a clear, category-first view. You’ll see which events usually win as the best sale of the year for each type of purchase, how the biggest sales of the year line up month by month, and how to build a simple shopping holidays calendar for 2026. Use it as your year-round plan to time big buys, stretch your budget, and stack retailer discounts with cashback from tools like Oodlz and your rewards credit card.

Key Takeaways

• There’s no single best sale of the year for everything; Black Friday/Cyber Monday dominate overall, but categories differ.
• Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day) often rival the best sale of the year for appliances and furniture.
• Clothing has its own rhythm: January, July, and November are usually the best sale of the year for fashion.
• A simple month-by-month shopping holidays calendar helps you plan big purchases 2–3 events ahead.
• Stack sale prices, coupons, cashback sites like Oodlz, and rewards cards to beat even the best sale of the year headline offers.

Planning your buys around the biggest sales of the year turns shopping from stressful guesswork into a confident strategy you control.

Fast Answer

What Really Is the Best Sale of the Year?

The short answer: the best sale of the year for overall spending is Cyber Week (Black Friday through Cyber Monday). In 2025, U.S. online Cyber Week sales hit 79.6 billion dollars, up 5% year over year, while global online sales reached 333.6 billion dollars, up 7% (Retail TouchPoints, Adobe). That’s where the broadest mix of categories sees deep cuts at once.

But the best sale of the year for you depends on what you’re buying. Appliances often hit their low around Memorial Day and Labor Day. Clothing sees its steepest markdowns in January and July clearances. Amazon devices and many mid-year electronics often see the best sale of the year pricing during Prime Day.

Think of the “best sale of the year” as a rotating title that moves between a few shopping holidays depending on the product.

Here’s a quick comparison of five of the biggest sales of the year in the USA:

For most big-ticket items, at least two of these events will give you a shot at your personal best sale of the year.

Sale Logic

How Big Sale Events Work and Why Timing Beats Hype

To understand the best sale of the year for your cart, you need to know how retailers move inventory. Big discounts usually follow three patterns:

• New models arriving: When new TVs, appliances, and gadgets launch, last year’s versions get marked down.
• Season changing: Winter clothes drop as spring arrives, and summer gear gets cleared in late August and September.
• Shopping holidays: Retailers build promotions around long weekends and global events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Ecommerce keeps amplifying these cycles. Online shopping is expected to account for about 21% of global retail sales in 2025 (Salsify/eMarketer), so the best sale of the year is usually an online-first event, even if you prefer to pick up in store at places like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.

Holiday spending also keeps rising. U.S. holiday sales between November 1 and December 31 are forecast to surpass 1 trillion dollars with around 4% annual growth (National Retail Federation). That makes November the biggest shopping month of the year and a leading candidate for the best sale of the year for many categories.

Once you see those patterns, you can stop guessing and start planning around the shopping holidays calendar that actually fits what you buy.

Top Events

The 10 Biggest Sales of the Year by Event

This section answers “What are the biggest sales of the year?” and “What are the best sale days of the year?” For each, you’ll see when it happens, what it’s best for, and when to wait for another best sale of the year instead.

1. Post‑Christmas and Boxing Day (Dec 26 – early Jan)

• When: December 26 through the first 1–2 weeks of January.
• Best for: Holiday décor, gift sets, toys, winter clothing, linens.
• Skip/wait: Big electronics; often better at Black Friday or early February.

In the UK and Australia, Boxing Day is often the best sale of the year for fashion and homewares. In the USA, it’s more of a strong clearance period than the single best sale of the year overall.

2. Presidents Day (3rd Monday in February)

• When: Around February 16, 2026.
• Best for: Mattresses, bedding, some furniture, winter apparel.
• Skip/wait: Premium electronics; usually cheaper around Black Friday.

Presidents Day is often a “second-tier” best sale of the year for home goods if you missed post‑holiday bargains.

3. Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)

• When: May 25, 2026.
• Best for: Major appliances, mattresses, some indoor furniture, spring clothing.
• Skip/wait: Most tech; wait for Prime Day or Black Friday.

Navy Federal notes appliances can drop 20–35% around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving as new models arrive (Navy Federal). For fridges and washers, that often rivals your best sale of the year.

4. July 4 (Independence Day)

• When: Week of July 4.
• Best for: Grills, outdoor furniture, summer clothing, tools.
• Skip/wait: Laptops and TVs; often better at back‑to‑school or Black Friday.

July 4 can be the best sale of the year for patio and backyard items, especially at big-box stores.

5. Dads & Grads / Back‑to‑School (Late June – August)

• When: Late June through August.
• Best for: Laptops, student tech, dorm furniture, backpacks, basic clothing.
• Skip/wait: High-end TVs and gaming consoles; usually best saved for Black Friday.

For students, this window can be the best sale of the year on mid-range laptops and study gear, even if absolute rock-bottom prices land in November.

6. Labor Day (1st Monday in September)

• When: September 7, 2026.
• Best for: Appliances, mattresses, furniture, late-summer clearance.
• Skip/wait: Phones, flagship tech; often better at Black Friday or launch promos.

If Memorial Day slipped by, Labor Day is often your last best sale of the year for upgrading kitchen or laundry appliances before the holidays.

7. Amazon Prime Day (Mid‑July)

• When: Typically 2 days in mid‑July (exact 2026 dates TBD).
• Best for: Amazon devices, mid-range electronics, small appliances, household essentials.
• Skip/wait: Niche brands sold cheaper elsewhere; Black Friday might beat it.

Prime Day is sometimes the best sale of the year for people deep in the Amazon ecosystem. Competitors like Walmart and Target also run parallel sales, which you can still stack with Oodlz cashback.

8. Black Friday (Day after U.S. Thanksgiving)

• When: November 27, 2026.
• Best for: TVs, laptops, gaming, smart home devices, toys, small appliances.
• Skip/wait: Trendy fashion you don’t really want; there’s plenty of hype.

Global‑e data shows Black Friday accounted for 33% of BFCM weekend sales in 2024, with total weekend sales up 43% year over year (Global‑e). For many households, Black Friday is still the emotional best sale of the year.

9. Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving)

• When: November 30, 2026.
• Best for: Online-only deals on tech, software, subscriptions, smaller gadgets.
• Skip/wait: Big in-store only items like large furniture.

Cyber Monday 2024 reached about 13.3 billion dollars in U.S. online sales versus 10.8 billion for Black Friday, making it the single biggest online day (Adobe Digital Insights). It often wins the best sale of the year title for pure online tech bargains.

10. End‑of‑Year / New Year’s Clearance (Late Dec – early Jan)

• When: Last week of December through early January.
• Best for: Leftover holiday décor, toys, winter clothes, fitness gear.
• Skip/wait: Brand‑new tech models; prices may be similar to Black Friday.

This period is more of a “cleanup” extension of the best sale of the year events in November, but useful if you’re planning ahead for next year’s holidays.

Mapping the biggest sales of the year onto a simple calendar makes it easy to see when each category is likely to hit its lowest prices.

Monthly Plan

Month‑by‑Month Shopping Calendar: Best Time of Year to Buy Almost Everything

Think of this as your quick shopping holidays calendar for 2026. Each month highlights where you’re most likely to see the best sale of the year for common categories.

January

• Post‑holiday and New Year’s clearance.
• Best for: winter clothing, linens (“white sales”), fitness equipment, leftover toys.
• Often a mini best sale of the year for clothing and bedding.

February

• Presidents Day sales.
• Best for: mattresses, bedding, winter coats, TVs before the Super Bowl.
• A strong backup if January’s best sale of the year passed you by.

March

• Late‑winter clearance.
• Best for: winter apparel, snow gear, some indoor furniture.
• Not the best sale of the year for electronics, but useful for wardrobe basics.

April

• Spring clearance and early outdoor deals.
• Best for: spring clothing, small kitchen appliances, some yard tools.
• Good time for previous‑year phones when new models are announced.

May

• Memorial Day.
• Best for: major appliances, mattresses, patio sets, spring apparel.
• For many homes, this is the best sale of the year for appliances if you can’t wait for November.

June

• Early back‑to‑school deals start.
• Best for: laptops on promo, graduation gifts, early summer clothing.
• Not usually the best sale of the year, but decent for students who need gear now.

July

• Prime Day and July 4.
• Best for: Amazon devices, mid‑range electronics, grills, summer clothes.
• Can be the best sale of the year for Amazon gear and outdoor items.

August

• Back‑to‑school peak.
• Best for: backpacks, basic clothing, dorm furniture, office supplies.
• School tech is strong, but high‑end electronics often hit true best sale of the year prices in November.

September

• Labor Day.
• Best for: appliances, mattresses, furniture, end‑of‑summer clothing.
• One of the biggest sales of the year for home upgrades.

October

• Early holiday deals and fall clearance.
• Best for: Halloween items, last‑season electronics, fall fashion.
• Pre‑Black Friday promos can match the best sale of the year for some tech if you watch closely.

November

• Black Friday, Cyber Monday, full Cyber Week.
• Best for: TVs, laptops, phones, gaming consoles, toys, small appliances, general gifting.
• For many categories, this is clearly the best sale of the year, backed by record Cyber Week sales (Adobe, Retail TouchPoints).

December

• Early December: toys and gifts.
• Late December: post‑Christmas clearance, holiday décor, winter clothing, fitness gear.
• A “last‑chance” extension of the best sale of the year for many seasonal items.

Use this as a starting point, then refine based on which categories matter most to you.

By Category

Best Sale of the Year by Category: What to Buy When

Here’s the big gap many guides miss: the best sale of the year is different for TVs, coats, and cribs. This category‑first breakdown gives you a clear plan.

Electronics & Tech (TVs, Laptops, Phones, Consoles)

For electronics, the best sale of the year usually lands in late November, with two strong backups:

• Top 3 events for electronics: 1. Black Friday 2. Cyber Monday 3. Prime Day
• Second‑best timing if you can’t wait:
  • TVs: early February (before the Super Bowl) and October clearance.
  • Laptops: back‑to‑school (July–August).
  • Phones: around new‑model launches and carrier promos.

If a TV or laptop is 20–30% off near these events and matches historical Black Friday pricing (use tools like Camelcamelcamel or Keepa), you’re probably close to the best sale of the year for that device.

Clothing & Shoes

Clothing has its own clear “best sale of the year” pattern:

• Best months for clothing sales:
  • January–February: winter clearance, coats, boots.
  • July–August: summer clearance, sandals, swimwear.
  • November: Black Friday/Cyber Monday for broad percent‑off deals.
• Top events: 1. January clearance 2. July clearance 3. Black Friday/Cyber Monday

If you need specific seasonal items, shopping near the end of that season is usually your best sale of the year bet, often with 40–60% off at major retailers.

Home & Furniture

For sofas, dining sets, and big home items, the best sale of the year tends to show up several times:

• Top events: 1. January (post‑holiday, new models) 2. Memorial Day 3. Labor Day

Appliances and furniture can drop 20–35% during these windows (Navy Federal, NEA). If you see a similar discount outside these periods, you’re within striking distance of the best sale of the year, especially if you’re stacking cashback from Oodlz and a rewards card.

Appliances

Fridges, stoves, washers, and dryers follow a clear pattern:

Amid the rush of big sale days, the most effective shopper is the one who pauses, checks their plan, and only buys what truly makes sense.

• Best sale of the year events for appliances: 1. Memorial Day 2. Labor Day 3. Black Friday/Cyber Monday

Retailers clear out last year’s models as new ones ship, using these holidays as anchors (AAA, Navy Federal). Plan your replacements around them if you can.

Kids, Toys & Games

For toys and kids’ gifts, the best sale of the year is usually in November:

• Top events: 1. Black Friday 2. Cyber Monday 3. Early December flash sales
• Second‑best timing:
  • Post‑Christmas clearance (Dec 26 onwards) for next year’s birthdays or early holiday stockpiling.

If you’re a new parent, consider splitting kids’ purchases: essentials when you need them, and “nice‑to‑have” toys around your chosen best sale of the year window.

Travel & Experiences

Travel doesn’t follow the same pattern as retail, but you still see best sale of the year trends:

• Best windows for deals:
  • January–February: post‑holiday slump.
  • Late summer for fall shoulder‑season travel.
  • Occasional airline and hotel flash sales.

Use fare trackers (Google Flights, Hopper) and deal newsletters alongside your shopping holidays calendar to spot when a fare is effectively your best sale of the year for that route.

Big Events

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday vs Prime Day: Which Best Sale of the Year Wins?

Shoppers often ask, “Which is better: Black Friday or Cyber Monday?” and “Is Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday the best sale of the year for tech?”

From the data:

• Cyber Monday 2024: about 13.3 billion dollars in U.S. online sales, the biggest single online day ever (Adobe Digital Insights).
• Black Friday 2024: about 10.8 billion dollars online, plus huge in‑store volumes.
• BFCM weekend overall: global online sales up 43% year over year, with Black Friday at 33% of sales and Cyber Monday 23% (Global‑e).

In practice:

• Black Friday is best for:
  • Big‑ticket electronics (TVs, laptops, consoles).
  • In‑store doorbusters at Walmart, Target, Best Buy.
  • Many appliances and small kitchen gadgets.
• Cyber Monday is best for:
  • Online‑only tech, accessories, software, digital subscriptions.
  • People who prefer to avoid stores and focus on fast, online comparisons.
• Prime Day is best for:
  • Amazon devices (Echo, Fire TV, Kindle).
  • Mid‑year deals on headphones, small appliances, home goods.
  • Shoppers tied to Amazon’s ecosystem who don’t want to wait for November.

If you only shop one event for TVs and laptops, Black Friday is usually the best sale of the year. For software, small gadgets, and online‑only brands, Cyber Monday often edges it out. For Amazon gear, Prime Day is often your best sale of the year, with Black Friday as a close backup.

Memorial Day and Labor Day may not generate as many headlines, but for appliances and furniture, they absolutely can be the best sale of the year for your household.

Fashion Focus

Best Sale of the Year for Clothing and Shoes

Fashion timing is different from general retail. If your main search is “best sale of the year clothing,” focus on seasons rather than just events.

Key clothing sale patterns:

• January–February:
  • Deep clearance on winter coats, sweaters, boots.
  • Many U.S. retailers run “end of season” or “semi‑annual” sales.
  • Often the best sale of the year for cold‑weather staples.
• July–August:
  • Summer clothing, sandals, and swimwear clear out.
  • Great time to stock up for next year.
  • Can be the best sale of the year for warm‑weather fashion.
• November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday):
  • Site‑wide percentage discounts at fashion brands and department stores.
  • Strong for basics, jeans, underwear, and shoes.

Mini fashion calendar (USA, UK, Australia):

• USA:
  • Jan–Feb: winter clearance.
  • July–Aug: summer clearance.
  • Nov: BFCM.
• UK:
  • December 26 and January: Boxing Day and winter sales.
  • June–July: summer sales.
• Australia:
  • Boxing Day and January: summer fashion sales.
  • June–July: winter clearance.

If you’re patient, you can treat January and July as your personal best sale of the year for most apparel, with November reserved for specific brands you love. Pair these with cashback offers (including best clearance sales right now) to push prices even lower.

Year Plan

How to Plan Your Year Around the Best Sale of the Year

Here’s a simple, repeatable system to plan your spending around the best sale of the year windows.

Step 1: List Your Big Purchases

Write down everything you expect to buy in the next 12–18 months:

• TV, laptop, phone upgrade
• Sofa, mattress, major appliance
• Winter and summer wardrobes
• Kids’ gifts and school gear
• Travel plans

This becomes your personal checklist for the best sale of the year opportunities.

Step 2: Map Each Item to 2–3 Events

Using the category section above, assign each item to its top events. For example:

• TV: Black Friday (primary), early February, Prime Day.
• Winter coat: January clearance (primary), November.
• Washer/dryer: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday.

You now have a custom shopping holidays calendar that focuses on your own best sale of the year moments.

Step 3: Set Reminders and Track Prices

2–4 weeks before each event:

1. Add items to wishlists at Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or your favorite fashion sites.
2. Use price‑tracking tools (Camelcamelcamel, Honey, or built‑in retailer trackers).
3. Sign up for email alerts from brands you care about.

This lets you compare the “deal” price with recent history and judge whether it truly is the best sale of the year for that item.

Step 4: Decide “Buy Now vs Wait”

Set simple rules for yourself:

• If the discount is at or above past best sale of the year pricing (say 25–30% off a TV), buy.
• If the discount is only average (5–10% off), ask: “Is another event soon?”
  • If yes, wait for the next best sale of the year window.
  • If no, and you need the item urgently, buy now.

When you do buy, stack:

• Retailer discount or coupon.
• Cashback from Oodlz at participating stores.
• Rewards from your credit card.

Even at the best sale of the year, this stacking can add another 5–15% effective savings across a year of purchases (NerdWallet, card issuer data).

Step 5: Learn from Your Year

After the big events, quickly review:

• Did you see lower prices after you bought?
• Were there categories where your chosen best sale of the year didn’t matter as much?
• Where did stacking cashback and rewards make the biggest difference?

Use that to adjust next year’s calendar. Over time, this habit can easily save hundreds of dollars per year—$50 a month in smarter timing is $600 a year.

Example: New Parent

• Big buys: crib, stroller, car seat, nursery furniture, endless baby clothes.
• Strategy:
  • Nursery furniture around Memorial Day or Labor Day.
  • Bulk baby clothes during January and July best sale of the year clothing events.
  • Toys and gifts around Black Friday/Cyber Monday, plus post‑Christmas deals.

Example: Recent Grad

• Big buys: laptop, TV, couch, basics for wardrobe and kitchen.
• Strategy:
  • Laptop during back‑to‑school or Black Friday.
  • TV at Black Friday (or early February if moving mid‑year).
  • Couch and mattress in January or Memorial Day.
  • Wardrobe upgrades during July and November.

By mapping these to the best sale of the year for each category, both shoppers can set up a new life with far less financial strain.

Your Strategy

Turn the Best Sale of the Year into Real Savings

The key lesson: there is no one universal best sale of the year. Instead, there are a handful of powerful events—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, January and July clearances—that take turns offering the best sale of the year for different categories.

When you match each planned purchase to its top 2–3 events, set reminders, watch price history, and stack discounts with cashback platforms like Oodlz, you move from reacting to ads to following a clear shopping holidays calendar. Over a year, that can mean turning big‑ticket panic buys into well‑timed, stress‑free wins.

Next step: make your list of planned purchases, assign each to a likely best sale of the year, and bookmark this guide. As new promotions appear, you can quickly check whether you’re seeing an average discount or a true best sale of the year worth jumping on.