The biggest discounts of the year follow a predictable rhythm. This calendar shows when the most important sale events take place, what to expect and which shops usually join in.
Exact dates are set by the retailers (and for official sales in some countries by law) and can shift from year to year.
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Fashion, sports and home retailers clear out their winter collections. Prices are usually reduced in several rounds, and the end of the season often brings the deepest cuts of the year.
Shops that usually take part: IKEA, Nike, ASOS, Nordstrom, Adidas, Zara, H&M, Zalando, Decathlon, JD Sports, Uniqlo, New Balance and 32 more
In the US, long holiday weekends are classic sale dates – especially for furniture, mattresses, home appliances and outdoor gear.
Shops that usually take part: Costco, Home Depot, Wayfair, Lowe's, Macy's, GAP, REI, Dick's Sporting Goods, Overstock, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Crate & Barrel and 5 more
AliExpress celebrates its anniversary with one of its biggest sales of the year, with sitewide discounts and coupons.
Shops that usually take part: AliExpress
A French online shopping event held twice a year, during which large French retailers run several days of promotions.
The unofficial Star Wars day, when Star Wars sets and merchandise are often on promotion.
Shops that usually take part: LEGO
End-of-season sale for summer collections. Fashion and sportswear shops reduce prices step by step; the first days have the best choice of sizes.
Shops that usually take part: Nike, SHEIN, John Lewis, Next, Marks & Spencer, ASOS, Nordstrom, Adidas, Zara, H&M, Zalando, Decathlon and 44 more
Digital game stores run large seasonal sales in summer and over the holidays – Steam's Summer and Winter Sales are the best known – with discounts on thousands of games.
Shops that usually take part: Steam, Nintendo Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store
Amazon's multi-day deal event for Prime members, with discounts across almost all categories. Other retailers often run competing promotions at the same time.
Shops that usually take part: Amazon
Laptops, tablets, headphones and school supplies are promoted before the new school and university year. Some brands offer special prices for students.
Shops that usually take part: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Apple Store, Newegg, B&H Photo, Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft Store and 3 more
Amazon's second big Prime event of the year, often the first chance to buy Christmas gifts at reduced prices.
Shops that usually take part: Amazon
Originally a Chinese shopping day, now the biggest event of the year at AliExpress and an important sale day for many other online shops.
Shops that usually take part: Temu, SHEIN, AliExpress, Wish, Shopee, Lazada, Notino
The Friday after US Thanksgiving and the following Monday – many shops stretch it into a whole "Black Week". Not every Black Friday price is a real deal, so it pays to know the normal price beforehand.
Shops that usually take part: Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Target, Best Buy, Costco, Argos, Currys, Apple Store, Home Depot, Etsy, Wayfair and 101 more
One of the biggest shopping days in the UK – many British retailers start their winter sale on 26 December or shortly before.
Shops that usually take part: Argos, Currys, John Lewis, Next, Marks & Spencer, JD Sports, Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing, River Island, Selfridges
Add the products you want to SaleAlarm two to four weeks before an event. That way you know the normal price when the sale starts.
A high crossed-out price doesn't prove a good deal. What matters is the price the product actually had in the weeks before.
The best deals and popular sizes are often gone within hours. An instant email alert gives you a head start.