Holiday, Tips & Tricks
Secondary Sales to Check Out Around the Fourth of July
Fourth of July is one of the biggest sales of July, but it’s not the only one. Many retailers offer other deals and sale events throughout the month, including Amazon Prime Day, National Ice Cream Day, early back-to-school sales and various semiannual sales from your favorite stores.
These sales will help you save even more money in conjunction with the deals you’ll find during Fourth of July. Below you’ll find some ways to get the absolute best savings this summer, including both Fourth of July sales and a variety of other events.
In-Store Sales on Fourth of July
Independence Day is a federal holiday, which means many people have the day off from work. They’re free to go to Fourth of July parties, have cookouts with family — and do some holiday shopping. It’s common to see Fourth of July sales that are exclusive to in-store shopping, so be on the lookout for in-store deals on mattresses, grills, appliances and more.
While you’re out and about hunting for the best Fourth of July discounts, swing by a grocery store to score deals on soft drinks, juice, meat, corn on the cob and everything else you need for your holiday cookout.
Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is the most popular July sale outside Fourth of July. It celebrates Amazon’s anniversary, and comes with gigantic savings for Amazon Prime members. You can expect to see Prime Day deals starting as early as the first week of July, but the company usually runs the official sale in mid-July.
Prime Day is Amazon’s biggest sale of the year, so you’ll probably find products at far below market price or even just above operating cost. If you’re still looking for items you didn’t pick up during Fourth of July sales, check for them during Amazon Prime Day — especially if you’re already a Prime member.
Semiannual Sales
Semiannual sales regularly happen at the beginning and middle of the year, so many retailers hold their sales in either June or July. The sales sometimes last for three or four weeks, so they may still be going in July even if they started in June. Here are a few companies that usually hold semiannual sales in June or July:
Some retailers slightly alter their product listings for American shoppers during Fourth of July, so you may be able to find unique items at great prices during the summer sales.
National Ice Cream Day
National Ice Cream Day is the third Sunday in July. Ronald Reagan established National Ice Cream Day in 1984, and many retailers celebrate the unofficial holiday by offering discounts and deals.
It may not technically be a national holiday, but National Ice Cream Day tends to be a big deal at many chain restaurants and other stores that serve ice cream. Carvel and Baskin Robbins, for example, both offer National Ice Cream Day discounts. You may also be able to get deals from delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats.
7-Eleven Day
7-Eleven is one of the most well-known convenience stores in the United States, with nearly 9,500 locations nationwide. The store was named after its flagship store’s hours — 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — but the name also looks like a date: 7/11, or July 11. For many years, 7-Eleven has offered various discounts and deals on this date, such as the very popular free Slurpee deal.
7-Eleven Day went away in 2020 and 2021, but it’s back now and likely to continue for the foreseeable future since it’s enjoyable for people of all ages and helps boost the company’s profile. Stop by your local 7-Eleven on July 11 to check out its deals.
Early Back-to-School Sales
The start of back-to-school season varies depending on where you live. Different regions return to school on different dates, but most retailers start their back-to-school sales at the beginning of August. That doesn’t stop some stores from starting their sales early, however, sometimes as soon as the beginning of July. You may see some listings for back-to-school products during Fourth of July sales, while other stores will label their deals explicitly as early back-to-school sales.
It’s generally best to wait for actual back-to-school sales rather than trying to get school items during Fourth of July sales. You may find great deals during Fourth of July sales on electronics and laptops, but a true back-to-school sale is better for smaller-ticket items such as notebooks and pens.
Black Friday in July
Black Friday in July is what many companies call their big July sales that aren’t explicitly Fourth of July sales. It allows retailers to call out their summer sales without alienating customers who don’t live in the United States. Look out for Black Friday in July sales, since they’re a great time to find amazing deals.
As the name indicates, Black Friday in July sales are usually on a Friday — often the Friday of Fourth of July weekend to coincide with other companies’ Fourth of July sales. You can sign up for your favorite stores’ email newsletters to get more information about when their Black Friday in July sales will happen.
Fourth of July Clearance
Don’t underestimate how useful Fourth of July clearance sales can be. They’re a great time to pick up Independence Day–specific products, such as patriotic clothing, flags and fireworks. Many companies will move those items to a designated clearance section once their Fourth of July sale has ended, but make sure the products you want are actually on clearance instead of assuming you can get bigger deals just because Fourth of July is over.
Get the Best Deals During Fourth of July
Fourth of July is a huge sale event, but it’s not the only time you can find discounts in July. There are plenty of other great times to score deals throughout the month. When you’re preparing for your big Fourth of July shopping excursion, make sure to check out Rakuten to find the best discounts and deals on any products you’re interested in.
FAQs — Secondary Sales to Check Out Around Fourth of July
Are Fourth of July sales always the best sales in July?
Not necessarily. Most of the time, Fourth of July is the biggest sale event of the summer, but if you’re shopping non-American brands or looking for very specific products, you may find better deals during other July sales.
Are there other sale days not on this list?
There are all sorts of sales not on this list, including general summer sales that can be just as good as specific Fourth of July events.
When should I buy to get the best deals?
In general, you’ll find the best deals on weekends, since companies are trying to get as many people into their stores as possible and most people have extra free time on weekends. It’s best to check each location individually, however.
Can I take advantage of Fourth of July sales outside the United States?
Many companies outside the United States don’t have dedicated Fourth of July sales, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Many retailers will still have summer sales, and you can often purchase from American companies running Fourth of July sales.
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