Best End-of-Year Sales and How to Shop and Save for Them

In the wake of the holidays, it makes sense to relax and take it easy. But if you love a good bargain, you might be missing out on end-of-year sales.

Hundreds of brands take advantage of the holiday slump and offer huge sales on a wide variety of products. While it’s not always ideal to spend more than necessary right after an expensive time of year, these sales are a great opportunity to buy the things you need at a discount (and treat yourself, too).

Here’s a guide to post-holiday shopping and where to get the best holiday deals.

End-of-year sales are promotional events brands and stores host at the end of the calendar year. These promotional events are also known as holiday sales or after-Christmas sales, typically running from December 26 (known as Boxing Day in some areas) to January 1 (New Year’s Day). Some brands even go further by extending the dates before or after.

These upcoming sales are an excellent opportunity for retailers to clear out inventory and capitalize on the holiday season's increasing consumption. And they’re even better for consumers who want to do a little post-holiday shopping. You can get huge deals on a wide range of products, like electronics, clothing, and home goods — to name a few. Cellphone prices are also often at their lowest at this time of year.

It's more of a challenge to find a business that doesn't have an end-of-year sale than one that does. No matter where you usually shop, you’ll find a few deals. But for the biggest discounts, here are 12 big brands to check out.

Amazon is a year-round source for great deals with discount codes and exclusive Prime pricing. The e-commerce giant serves up incredible end-of-year discounts on electronics, home goods, and apparel, among much more. Sales often run from the end of December to early January.

As the largest big box chain in not just the United States, but the whole world, Walmart doesn't miss out on an opportunity to attract customers. Shopping at Walmart during its end-of-year sales can save you big on TVs, appliances, and clearance items like holiday decor. Expect its end-of-year sale to run until sometime in January.

If you’ve ever shopped at Target, you know it has everything. And that makes it the perfect place to stop by at the end of the year. You can find great savings on everything from electronics to beauty products to food items. Like Walmart, Target's sales typically last until early January.

Best Buy is the place to go for electronics. Count on significant discounts on TVs, gaming accessories, and appliances — just to name a few — which makes it ideal for large purchases you might not otherwise jump on. Timeline-wise, Best Buy is a little more conservative, with the duration of its sales usually ending at the end of December.

Is getting a new wardrobe part of your New Year’s resolutions? Stop by J.Crew. This clothing retailer typically runs its end-of-year sales until the end of December. And with stores in malls all over the country — not to mention a robust online shop — J.Crew is an easy shopping destination.

Gap is another excellent clothing store with decent discounts on apparel and accessories at the end of the year. Like J.Crew, GAP stores are mall staples, making them convenient shopping destinations if you’re already walking the halls. Expect GAP's end-of-year sales to run until the end of December.

During the end-of-year sales at Macy's, you can find pretty significant discounts on clothes and accessories. It's normal to find markdowns up to 60% off, making this store a great place to go no matter what you’re looking for. Plus, its end-of-year sales often last until early January, giving you a little extra time to find your new fit.

Looking for something a little more high-end? Nordstrom is a luxury department store that offers huge discounts on clothing, accessories, and beauty products with famously easy returns. Its post-holiday sales usually run until the end of December.

Wayfair — the popular online home furniture platform — doesn't miss out on the end-of-year sales either. If you're in the market for a new sofa, table, or other piece of furniture, Wayfair is a great website to visit. It’s perfect if you’re moving in the new year or just want to refresh your home. And it often offers great deals year-round, so you can expect to see at least 60% off in December.

There’s nothing like climbing into bed at the end of a long day, so why not treat yourself? Brooklinen has end-of-year sales on bedding, towels, and other home goods. This retailer is known to offer deals up to 75% off during its last-call sales. And since it’s primarily an online store, it’s easy to shop and find what you need.

If you love spending time in the kitchen, you know the value of high-quality appliances. That’s why KitchenAid is a go-to shopping destination for lovers of cooking and baking. KitchenAid is known for offering some pretty significant discounts to its lineup of kitchen products during its end-of-year sales. Just keep in mind it doesn’t have brick-and-mortar stores of its own, so find its deals online or from larger retailers that carry its products.

Need to clean the house after hosting for the holidays? Vacuums are another great buy during these end-of-year sales — especially at Dyson. Treat yourself to some easier housework by grabbing a new vacuum, and while you’re at it, you can check out Dyson’s headphones, hairstyling products, and air purifiers. Score some decent savings by visiting their website or one of their stores during the last week of December.

With EarnIn, you can skip the post-holiday financial stress by gaining instant access to your pay without waiting for a paycheck. EarnIn's Cash Out tool lets you access up to $150/day and up to $750/pay period with no interest, no mandatory fees, and no credit check.

Celebrate financial freedom (and the end of the holidays) with EarnIn by signing up for free.