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Jul 03, 2023

Labor Day 2023: What to shop and early deals available now

To many, Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end to summer, with kids returning to school and summer vacations dwindling down. It might be hard to think about the season coming to a close but there

To many, Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end to summer, with kids returning to school and summer vacations dwindling down. It might be hard to think about the season coming to a close but there are a few exciting things the upcoming long weekend brings, one of them being incredible deals.

The federal holiday that celebrates American workers falls on the first Monday of September, and this year that is Sept. 4. And while it's a time to squeeze in one last summer barbecue or beach weekend, it's also a time for significant savings.

In the past, we've seen retailers offer major deals across categories, from mattresses to home appliances. And last year we saw many popular retailers get in on the action, including Amazon, Home Depot and Walmart. But when can we start to see deals rolling in? We asked Julie Ramhold, Consumer Analyst with DealNews.com, what to expect this Labor Day weekend.

"Typically, Labor Day sales will start showing up as early as two weeks before the holiday itself; last year, we saw the first sale around Aug. 18 ... As for those closer to the holiday itself, they'll likely start no later than the Friday of the holiday weekend, though some will start a couple of days earlier," says Ramhold.

Labor Day is a great time to grab major home essentials, especially summer items, she explains. So, we can expect to see discounts on outdoor grills and other home appliances, patio furniture and mattresses. Ramhold says another thing to look out for is summer clothing since retailers will be wanting to get rid of excess stock — she says you might see discounts up to 70% off!

"Watch for the lowest prices to be on things like shorts, T-shirts, swimwear, sandals, summery dresses and other similar items," she tells Shop TODAY.

It's no secret that Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the probably the biggest shopping events of the year, and according to Ramhold, you will typically see bigger sales on those days — but not on everything. She tells us that Labor Day is most likely the best time to grab patio furniture, mattresses and major appliances since they can be a hit or miss on Black Friday. "Retailers have a lot of stock of these kinds of items right now, so they'll likely offer better discounts during Labor Day as they try to sell off inventory," she says.

With so many items to look out for, Ramhold says there are a few products you might want to hold out on November sales for and will have better luck scoring deals; this includes electronics such as TVs, toys and fall clothing.

While we're just days away from Labor Day weekends, official deals to start rolling in and you can score some discounts from major retailers on home items and back-to-school essentials right now — we even found up to 67% off. And make sure to check back here as the official Labor Day sales begin to roll in.

Amazon | Home Depot | Walmart | Target | Macy's | QVC | Wayfair | Bed Bath & Beyond | J.Crew | Ann Taylor | REI | More deals

This serum has more than 4,600 five-star ratings from shoppers — and it's currently marked down by 35%. It combines vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, so the brand says it can help diminish fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots.

Coming in eight different colors, you can wear this dress well into the new season when paired with a cardigan or denim jacket. Select colors are currently under $25!

These small-heeled sandals have less than a three-inch lift, so you can feel comfortable wearing them for long periods of time. In fact, one reviewer said they're perfect for all-day wear and wore them for four weddings.

Keep an eye on areas of your home with this indoor security camera, especially if you want to monitor adventurous pets. Right now, you can score it for under $25 during the Labor Day sales.

The Echo Pop speaker not only plays your favorite tunes but also is Alexa-compatible. You can set timers, control other smart devices, ask Alexa questions and more.

Whether you're in need of an earbud upgrade or are looking to get way ahead of holiday shopping, you can find the second generation of Apple AirPods for under $100! You can expect up to five hours of nonstop listening time on a single charge, says the brand.

By the looks of it, some mattresses are already being marked down. This memory foam option is currently 18% off and the brand says it's made of hypoallergenic fabric.

You'll be ready for cozy fall backyard nights with a new fire pit. According to the brand, it's made of weather- and rust-proof material and includes a mesh covering for safety.

Save over $600 on this LG stainless steel refrigerator. It features French refrigerator doors and a bottom freezer compartment, so you can expect ample food storage.

According to the brand, this sleek microwave features a number of autocook settings so you can easily heat up your favorite meals and the brand says it's designed to make cleanups easy.

Back-to-school shopping is in full force and you can grab this pack of colored pencils for upcoming school projects and arts and crafts — there are 172 colors!

There are still plenty of barbecues to be had, especially since we're on the brink of football season. This find features two grilling sections so you can cook up more food without wasting time.

Save $70 off this gas-powered lawn mower, which the brand says is ideal for small lawns. It also has an adjustable handle to suit different heights.

Don't miss out on nearly $100 in savings on the bestselling Dyson vacuum. According to the brand, it has powerful suction that can pick up long hair and deep clean different surfaces.

These markers are a household staple for toddlers, kids and teachers. If you're looking to stock up for back-to-school essentials, you can grab these for only 99 cents!

This household kitchen essential is currently only $8. According to the brand, it has extra wide slots so you can evenly toast bagels!

Whether you're shopping for dorm room essentials or in need of extra fridge space, this stainless steel mini-fridge offers great shelving and has a freezer compartment. You'll save 20% off during Target's Summer Send-off sale.

You can grab this denim jacket for just $31 from Macy's. It comes in five color options, including classic blue and black as well as bright red or yellow denim.

Add a pop of color to your outfit with these vibrant ballet flats. According to the brand, they feature a memory foam insole and reviewers rave about how comfortable they are. One reviewer said she loved them so much, she bought the same pair after she had worn out her first.

For business meetings or date nights, this shirt will have him looking sleek and stylish. It comes in multiple colors — we suggest grabbing a couple while it's marked down to just $15.

While these slip-on sneakers are normally $70, you can get them now for under $30. The brand says that they have Goga Mat technology, a cushioned midsole and a stretchy knit upper for comfort. Plus, they're designed to be washable!

Barefoot Dreams is known for its ultra-soft blankets and loungewear, and right now you can grab this bestselling cardigan from the brand for 39% off. The brand says that the machine-washable knit cardigan is perfect for year-round use, bring it with you to the movie theater, office or anywhere else you want to be cozy.

If you're looking to upgrade your bedding, this sheet set comes in over 20 colorways and even size twin XL for college dorm beds. You'll want to grab it while prices start at under $15.

This subtle but huge organizational hack will feel like a massive home upgrade. It hangs behind the door and is perfect for bathrooms, laundry rooms, pantries and more.

This Sealy mattress comes delivered in an easy-setup box. According to the brand, it's made with cooling technology and moisture-wicking fabric to keep you comfortable all night.

Spruce up your living space with a decorative rug. This wool option comes in a variety of colors to suit different decor tastes and sizes start at $23.

If you're hoping to update your bedding for the new season, this three-piece bedding set comes with a microfiber quilt and two pillow shams. Don't miss out on this 50% off savings!

Have a mattress that's a little too firm? The brand says this plush feather bed is filled with hypoallergenic duck feathers — you'll feel like you're sleeping on a cloud.

Right now, J.Crew is offering up to 50% off sale styles. Coming in a painted floral pattern, this flowy skirt is the perfect transitional piece for the upcoming season.

This rib tee is made of a cotton- and elastane-blend material, so you can expect it to be super comfy. The sleeves hit just above the elbow making it perfect for transitional weather.

We agree with J.Crew — "Something about a matching pj set always makes us sleep better." This relaxed-fit set features an adorable tangerine pattern that will help you channel summer vibes long after the season changes.

Ann Taylor is offering an extra 50% off sale styles for a limited time, and you can grab this adorable top for less than $30. Whenever you wear the top, you'll stand out thanks to its flutter sleeves with shirred sleeve caps.

You can pair any cute blouse with this pleated culotte pant to create the perfect transitional fall outfit. The full-length linen pants will keep you cool, while protecting you from gusts of wind and strong air conditioning.

This breathable running tank top features anti-chafe seams allowing you to run without worry. Thanks to the top's reflective trim on the back, you'll also be able to run from dawn until dusk.

As we approach autumn, you'll need an extra layer to keep you warm during your evening runs. And if you prefer a run in the daytime, the half-zip also offers 50+ UPF protection.

Right now, you can save on select Shapermint essentials including these bestselling shaper shorts for 50% off (or 61% off if you buy two!). According to the brand, this shapewear will provide a smoothing effect for the midsection and thighs — and you can even wear them without underwear.

Bedgear is offering 20% off this performance pillow, which comes in two different designs based on whether you're a back or side sleeper.

The popular swim brand Summersalt rarely has sales, but ahead of the holiday weekend, the company is marking down select suits and cover-ups by up to 60%. This style is one of Summersalt's bestsellers and is said to offer compression, boob support and butt coverage. Use the code SPF30 to save.

Fall is coming, which means it's time to upgrade your sweater collection. This 50% recycled sweater features full, flowy sleeves and cable stitching. You can score an extra 30% off this sweater and more items in Madewell's sale section with the code COOLDOWN.

During Cozy Earth's sitewide Labor Day sale, you can save big on bedding and loungewear. According to the brand, this breathable knit top can be worn to bed or as everyday wear. Select colors and sizes are on sale starting at $77.

Caraway is offering a 20% discount on this shopper-loved nonstick cookware set. This set comes with six pots and pans and four lids.

Shannon Garlin is an Associate Editor for Shop TODAY.