Labor Day sales 2014: Where to find the best deals and discounts

Labor Day is just around the corner. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the items you can expect to see on sale this Labor Day weekend and a few holiday promotions already happening.

Labor Day is just around the corner, and shoppers and retailers alike are gearing up for the deals that go along with this holiday weekend. As back-to-school and end-of-summer deals transition into Labor Day sales, NerdWallet Shopping and the DealFinder can keep you abreast of the deals as they are released. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at some of the items you can expect to see on sale and a few holiday promotions already happening.

Cars and Trucks

New vehicle models come out in the fall, so Labor Day is the perfect time to clear the lot of previous models. Automakers like Chevrolet and Ford are among the few retailers who have announced their Labor Day sales early, getting a jump start on the action. Ford is offering 0% financing for up to 72 months with approved credit. They are also offering cash back deals on 2014 models, like $3,000 on the Escape and $3,500 on the Fusion. The Chevy Labor Day Sale comes with a similar 0% annual percentage rate for 72 months, but adds no payments for 90 days. Several other automakers, including Toyota and Dodge, are running summer specials that will extend through the holiday weekend.

Summer Closeouts

Retailers often include grills, pools, beach gear, lawn care and outdoor equipment in their Labor Day sales. It’s the best time to buy some of your supplies for next summer and a new grill you can use year-round. Last year, Home Depot offered free shipping on all grill purchases of $399 or more, and we’re likely to see other such specials in 2014. Some retailers are already offering steep discounts on grills, though many might not last through the holiday.

Home Improvement and Appliances

Any holiday that results in an extra day off work will likely come with sales at home improvement stores. “Paint is on sale because manufacturers know that consumers have that extra day to get projects completed,” Debbie Zimmer of the Paint Quality Institute told Consumer Reports. In addition to paint, you’ll likely see storewide sales and deals on appliances like stoves and ranges.  Lowe’s offered up to 20% off throughout the store over the 2013 Labor Day weekend, including appliances. New model appliances come out in the fall, so retailers are clearing inventory and running specials on those that have already been released. Refrigerators are the only exception to this general rule.

Health & Beauty

Companies selling health and beauty products often get in on the Labor Day action. Retailers like Sephora and The Body Shop have offered discounts over the holiday weekend in the past, and we expect to see the same for 2014.

Electronics

While Black Friday is heralded as the best time to save on electronics, that doesn’t mean Labor Day sales will be without steep discounts on televisions, computers, and other gadgets. Best Buy typically runs Labor Day deals, including some free shipping options for online shoppers. Right now, Apple is running its back-to-school special through Sept. 9, offering a $100 Apple Store Gift Card when you purchase a Mac, or a $50 gift card if you buy an iPad or iPhone.

Jewelry

September is in the middle of a slow season for jewelers. There really are no gift-giving holidays until Christmas, so jewelry stores often run Labor Day sales to attract customers. Things Remembered is already offering up to 50% off certain men’s jewelry through Sept. 2, and we expect more jewelers to join them as the holiday weekend gets closer.

School Supplies

Most back-to-school shopping will be complete by Labor Day, but if you’ve managed to wait, you’ll likely see some pretty deep discounts on inventory that didn’t get cleared out. Prices on the staples such as pens, notebooks and backpacks will drop as we move further from the first day of school, and retailers such as Staples and Office Max will likely have Labor Day promotions.

Clothing

Clothing retailers offer some of the most popular sales over the Labor Day weekend. Department stores like Target, Macy’s and Belk all ran impressive sales last year. Macy’s offered an additional 20% off your entire purchase, and that was on top of already marked down items. Gap, Hollister, Nautica and OshKosh are just a few of the smaller stores we’ll be eyeing for good Labor Day sales this year.

Expect to see more precise details on deals as Labor Day 2014 approaches. Retailers will release their sale specifics leading up to the holiday to build shopper anticipation, and many of those sales likely will begin early.