July is a unique month for shopping. As summer reaches its peak, retailers begin to clear out their inventories in preparation for the fall season. This makes July an excellent time to snag some deals, but not everything will be at its best price. Here’s a breakdown of what to buy in July and what to avoid.
1. Outdoor Gear and Apparel
July is a great month to purchase outdoor equipment.
From tents and backpacks to hiking shoes and swimwear, retailers offer significant discounts to encourage summer activities.
Look for sales around the Fourth of July, which is a prime time for markdowns on outdoor gear.
Brands to Consider: Patagonia, The North Face, and Columbia offer high-quality outdoor gear. Look for sales at retailers like REI and Backcountry.
Specific Products: Columbia’s Watertight II Jacket, North Face hiking boots, and Patagonia’s Black Hole travel bags are often discounted in July.
2. Home Improvement Supplies
Summer is home improvement season, and many stores offer promotions on tools, paint, and other DIY necessities.
Additionally, with many people taking on home projects, July can feature some of the best discounts to attract more customers.
Brands to Consider: Home Depot and Lowe’s for a variety of brands like DeWalt, Behr Paints, and Black + Decker.
Specific Products: DeWalt power tool sets, Behr premium plus interior paint, and Weber grills often see big price drops.
See Also: Save at Home Depot: 7 Out-Of-The Box Ways to Make It Happen
3. Furniture
New furniture models typically arrive in stores in August, making July an ideal time to purchase as shops clear out old stock.
This applies especially to outdoor furniture, which can see reductions up to 50-60% off as retailers make room for fall inventory.
Brands to Consider: IKEA, Wayfair, and Pottery Barn for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
Specific Products: IKEA’s ÄPPLARÖ outdoor seating and Wayfair’s closeout section on sectional sofas.
See Also: IKEA Savings Hacks That’ll Make You Feel REALLY Smart
4. Tech Gadgets
With back-to-school sales starting towards the end of the month, July can be a good time to buy laptops, tablets, and other tech accessories.
These sales often extend to include general electronics as retailers aim to attract a broad audience of both students and non-students.
Brands to Consider: Apple, Samsung, and HP, especially during Amazon Prime Day and Best Buy sales.
Specific Products: MacBook Air, Samsung tablets, and HP Envy laptops are often featured in mid-summer tech sales.
5. Seasonal Foods
Take advantage of the abundance of fresh produce available in July.
Berries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are among the many types of produce that are in season and often on sale.
Buying in-season is not only cost-effective but also ensures peak flavor.
Where to Buy: Farmers’ markets or local grocery chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
Specific Products: Organic blueberries, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh bell peppers. Look for bulk deals or promotional discounts at your local stores.
Next, here are the things to avoid buying in mid-Summer…
1. Fall Clothing
While it might be tempting to start buying autumn apparel as it begins appearing in stores, these items are typically priced at their highest.
It’s better to wait until the end of the season for discounts.
Brands to Watch: Zara, H&M, and Gap often introduce fall lines in July at premium prices.
Specific Products: Avoid newly released jackets and autumn dresses until later sales.
2. Major Appliances
Major appliances see their best prices around holiday sales in September (Labor Day) and November (Black Friday).
Therefore, unless there is an urgent need, it’s wise to hold off on purchasing items like refrigerators, ovens, and washers during July.
Brands to Watch: Whirlpool, GE, and Samsung appliances are best bought during bigger sale events.
Specific Products: Stainless steel refrigerators, front-load washers, and high-efficiency dryers.
See Also: How to Negotiate a Lower Price on Appliances
3. School Supplies
Although early back-to-school sales start in July, the deepest discounts on school supplies tend to appear in August and even early September.
Waiting a bit can lead to significant savings on notebooks, pens, and other school essentials.
Brands to Watch: Crayola, Five Star, and Ticonderoga are staples but hold off on buying them.
Specific Products: Backpacks, scientific calculators, and binders are often cheaper in August.
See Also: Genius Ways to Save on Back-To-School Shopping
4. Latest Model Cars
The automotive industry typically rolls out new models in the late summer and early fall, which means buying a new car in July might not be as cost-effective.
Waiting until the new models are released can lead to better deals on current-year vehicles as dealerships make space for new inventory.
Brands to Watch: Toyota, Ford, and Honda typically roll out new models in late summer.
Specific Products: Popular models like the Honda Civic or Ford F-150 typically have end-of-year discounts after the new models are introduced.
5. Holiday Decor
Mid-summer is not the ideal time to buy holiday decorations.
The best deals on items for holidays like Christmas or Halloween are usually found immediately after the holiday has passed, or during specific sales closer to the season.
When to Buy: Post-holiday sales or even Black Friday deals are the best times.
Specific Products: Avoid buying LED string lights or inflatable yard decorations during July.
See Also: Smart Ways to Maximize After-Christmas Sales
Bottom-line, by focusing on items that are in-season or nearing the end of their sales cycle, you can save significantly while steering clear of full-priced merchandise that will likely see reductions in the coming months.
Ask the Reader: Do you have any products you’d add to either of my lists? Either good or bad buys in July? Let me know.
By Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)