When it comes to the top things to buy in July, let’s just say fireworks aren’t the only thing hot this month. July is quickly becoming one of the most exciting shopping months of the year, perhaps second only to the Black Friday season in the fall. In addition to plenty of coupons for summer needs, you can find bargains on electronics, appliances, tools, shoes, toys, and rugs as retailers like Target and Walmart compete with Amazon for Prime Day sales.
What things to buy in July at the grocery store:
What to buy at the big box stores:
Major sales to shop in July.
What do electronics and summer clothes have in common? Black Friday in July sales. You see, Amazon isn’t the only one with crazy good deals in this mid-summer month. We’re tracking these other Black Friday in July sales. Spoiler alert: Most of these retailers run their sales in tandem with Amazon Prime Day. Here’s a quick and dirty on what to expect.
Amazon Prime Day
Amazon just announced that Prime Day is officially happening July 11 – 12 in 2023. You can expect to find deals on electronics, homeware, clothing, and beauty. Watch for popular brands like Bose, Hey Dude, and Theragun. And actually, some early access deals are available now.
There’s even a new Invite-only deals program, where select Prime members get special access on Prime Day to shop exclusive deals. Prime Day is technically for Amazon Prime members, but if you’re not a member, just sign up for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime and you’ll get access. You’ll have a month to decide if you want to keep the membership before paying anything.
Target Circle Week
Target Circle Week will run from July 9 – 15, 2023. Unlike Amazon Prime Day, you won’t need a paid membership to shop Target’s sales. This is the first time they’ve ever launched a Circle Week in July (we usually see them in March and September). You can look forward to tons of savings (like 30 different Circle Offers available in the app). To shop the Circle Week sale, you must first join Target Circle, which is free to sign up. Once you find Circle offers you like, you can use them in-store or online, even when you select Target Pickup at checkout. You can also expect to see a special Target Circle Bonus reward in your Target app, which varies by account. You’ll get a $10 – $15 reward with this offer, and seven days to redeem it once you click to “activate bonus” in the app.
Walmart+ Week
The Walmart+ Week event (formerly known as Walmart’s “Deals for Days”) will start on July 10, 2023, at noon ET for Walmart+ members. The sale opens to all shoppers 24 hours later on July 11 at noon ET through July 13, 2023, at 7 p.m. ET. We expect deals on electronics, computers, kitchen appliances, and more. Along with the deals, Walmart is partnering with other brands to give shoppers exclusive promotions.
Kohl'sSummer Cyber Deals are predicted to run July 11 – 12 in 2023.
Kohl’s is trying to get in on the action. Although they change the name of their sale almost every year, it’s still the fourth retailer to horn in on Amazon’s timing. Expect Kohl’s Summer Cyber Deals to do the same this year. If you like to play that Kohl’s Cash game, plan to see Kohl’s deals that offer some of the lowest prices anywhere, if you factor in the value of the Kohl’s Cash earned on your purchase.
Best Buy Black Friday in July will likely begin a day before Amazon Prime Day.
Surprise, surprise. Another store competing with Amazon. In 2022, Best Buy offered two days of deals and we expect it again this year from July 10 – 12. The 2022 ad was thin at only eight pages, but we still saw deals on back-to-school items like laptops and earbuds. If you’re not saving at least 50% during Best Buy’s July sale, wait to shop during Black Friday.
Macy’s Black Friday in July is expected to begin on July 7.
Macy’s says to heck with all the big names clogging up the third week in July, so they typically start their Macy’s Black Friday deals early. In 2022, there was 75% off mattresses and bedding, 60% off kitchen appliances, and 50% off clothing and swimwear.
JCPenney Black Friday in July will start at the end of the month.
JCPenney, like Macy’s, keeps their JCPenney Black Friday in July away from the noise, but in the other direction. Look for JCPenney deals for summer Black Friday sales to land around mid to late July. We predict their sale will start around July 27, 2023.
1. Amazon devices and electronics.
We think the best Prime Day deals will be on Echo products, Fire Tablets, TV deals, cheap Beats Solo Wireless headphones, and more. Some early access Prime deals are already available now.
Top picks include:
2. School and office supplies in back-to-school sales.
July is the month to start buying school supplies. Expect Walmart and Target to have an array of items for under $1. Walmart Back-to-School sales have some of the lowest prices on Pen + Gear school supplies. In 2022, we found 2-pocket folders for $0.15, spiral notebooks and crayons for $0.25, and 24-count pencils for $0.97. We also expect rollbacks on Crayola, Elmer’s Glue, and more school supplies.
During Target Back-to-School sales, you’ll score the lowest prices on Mondo Llama and up & up school supplies. But don’t dismiss Target Circle offers on other brands — you could score an equally awesome deal on name brands during Target Circle Week starting July 9. We also predict up to 20% off School Uniforms, 20% off Bic Mechanical Pencils, and 15% off Bic Brite Highlighters. Stack these with a sale price and your 5% RedCard discount for even bigger savings.
3. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a summer staple, but it can get seriously expensive — unless you buy it in July. Suncare products are one of those things that actually go on sale when you need them.
Expect deals on sunscreen from brands like EltaMD, Coppertone, and Neutrogena in the Prime Day sale. Also expect to find great deals at Target and Walmart during their summer sales. Aim for 40% – 50% off original prices to ensure you’re getting the best stock-up price.
4. Ice Cream
July is National Ice Cream Month, so expect to see serious sales and coupons for ice cream. Plus, get out and about on National Ice Cream Day to score some free cold treats. Your local grocery store will likely have some great warm-weather deals, but remember to check drug stores like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS as well! Look for dollar-off coupons like $3.00 off Reese’s Ice Cream Cake or $2.00 off Ben & Jerry’s to get the best prices. Stack coupons with Ibotta rebates to score up to 75% off for the best stock-up price.
5. Summer clothes for the family.
You’ll find some deals on summer clothes in the Black Friday in July sales. Expect Cat & Jack kids’ sales during Target Circle Week and more summer apparel deals at Kohl’s and Walmart. Target will likely have women’s tees for $2, dresses under $10, and swim options for the family starting at $5 — if you see these prices, grab ’em. Stock up on Time and Tru dresses in every color at Walmart for $5 or less. Don’t forget to check for back-to-school clothes that fall into these summer sales. Target’s selection of sale kids’ underwear and socks are usually at stock-up prices this month. Look for packs of 10 for around $5 to get the best deal.
6. Large and small appliances.
Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Macy’s typically all offer deep discounts on appliances in July. Home Depot and Lowe’s have been known to offer up to $750 off major appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves. They also often offer free appliance delivery with a minimum spend, usually around $299. Watch for these deals to appear mid-month when many of the other summer sales begin.
We expect you’ll see special financing offers through these summer appliance sales. And also predict that Macy’s will drop some of their small Ninja appliances to current year price-lows.
7. Tools
Hot weather is a good time to invest in tools. Fourth of July sales generally include big premium tool items from Bauer, DeWalt, and Craftsman. Shop the Lowe’s 4th of July and Home Depot 4th of July sales for good prices on DeWalt and Ryobi.
8. Shoes and sandals
In 2022, you could use a promo code at Macy’s for an additional 20% off shoe clearance. There were end-of-the-season sandals and running shoes, for example, and 25% off New Balance at Shoe Carnival. Dick’s Sporting Goods offered clearance prices on men’s, women’s, and children’s Nike and Brooks running shoes. Also visit Kohl’s, DSW, or Macy’s for up to 70% off shoes and sandals.
9. Deodorant
Stock up on deodorant for this month and the rest of the summer. We see deals at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens with up to 50% off deodorant brands with mobile coupons and cash-back rebates. Aim for at least 50% off to get a true stock-up price.
10. Camping gear
You’re likely to see discounts of 50% or more at stores like Columbia, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, and Cabela’s.Visit their Bargain Cave for clearance deals.) Amazon also has sales on Coleman tents and battery-powered lanterns to keep your campsite well-lit and safe. At Walmart, expect to see sales on tents in July. In 2022, Aldi had $9.99 sleeping bags, along with $12.49 air mattresses.
11. Rug
In 2022, Target’s end-of-summer clearance was incredible. We saw $3.70 outdoor rugs, deep discounts on door mats, along with savings on backpacks, beach towels and vinyl picnic blankets.
Things to Buy in July Honorable Mentions:
Free Slurpee Day: July 1 – 11
Every year, 7-Eleven stores typically celebrate their unofficial birthday (7/11) by giving away free Slurpees through July 11, which is Free Slurpee Day. You can get up to two free small Slurpees (reg. $1.29) starting July 1 until July 11 as a 7REWARDS or Speedy Rewards member (since Speedway and 7-Eleven are the same company).Wait until August for…
Swimsuits. You can find more than half-off swimsuits for the whole family in August, so hold off on that. Patio furniture will also start dropping in late August and through the beginning of fall. It’s best to wait until end-of-season sales for new outdoor furniture.
National Ice Cream Day: July 16
National Ice Cream Day is the third Sunday in July. In 2023, we’ll see it on Sunday, July 16, 2023. But you can expect to see National Ice Cream Day deals all month long. Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen, Menchie’s, and Marble Slab Creamery all have special offers on Ice Cream Day. And we also know you can score 31% off a Baskin Robbins cone on July 31.
4th of July Sales
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer sales that start at the end of June and last into July, in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. Lowe’s and Home Depot’s Fourth of July sales started on June 22. So far we’re seeing great deals on things to buy in July, like outdoor and grilling equipment, along with deals on paint.
(Partially reprinted from www.thekrazycouponlady.com
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