April's Best Bargain Buys
Spring gets into full swing this month, with warmer weather and more hours of sunlight. For savvy shoppers, April also means plenty of sales. Like March, April doesn’t have any big three-day holiday weekend sales events, so retailers are likely to host smaller sales pegged to noteworthy days on the calendar, including tax day (April 18).
You may see post-Easter sales on candy and decorations, or early Mother’s Day sales toward the end of the month. “Because this time of year is so bare for universal holidays, retailers are looking for excuses to have a sale and boost profits,” says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a comparison-shopping website. Keep an eye out for deals on cookware, jewelry and sustainable, Earth-friendly products. Read on for what to expect from those deals and others among the best things to shop for in April.
Cookware
We’re a month or two away from peak graduation and wedding season, so you may see discounts on gifts aimed at grads and newlyweds, including a range of cooking-related products, such as pots and pans, serving utensils and kitchen gadgets.
Even if you don’t have any soon-to-be graduates or engaged couples in your life, it may be a good time to upgrade the contents of your own kitchen cabinets, swapping out Teflon pans for products with fewer toxins. One caveat: Hold off if you’re in the market for small kitchen appliances such as toasters or air fryers. “There are really good kitchen appliance sales over Memorial Day weekend,” says Kimberly Palmer, a spokesperson with personal finance website NerdWallet. “So if you can wait one more month, you’ll see a ton of deals on those items.” Where you might find deals: Macy’s, All-Clad, Sur La Table
Potential savings: 50 percent or more
Running shoes
Sneaker manufacturers introduce their latest models in the spring, just in time for folks starting to train for marathon season — or those simply moving their exercise routine outdoors to take advantage of better weather. As retailers focus on clearing out older inventory to make room for the newer kicks, you may be able to find a deal on last year’s version. Where you might find deals: Reebok, Joe’s New Balance, running shops
Potential savings: 15 to 40 percent off
Fine jewelry
Retailers often offer discounts on baubles in April to boost traffic in between the big jewelry-giving holidays of Valentine’s Day in February and Mother’s Day next month. Some retailers run spring savings events or “Easter sales this time of year, says jewelry designer Suzy Levian. “We do see jewelry selling for lower prices at this time, with items chosen specifically and seasonally by each brand,” she says.
You’ll find deals at jewelry-specific stores and websites, as well as in department stores with large selections of fine jewelry. One benefit of shopping in person at a jewelry store: You may have the opportunity to negotiate pricing for an even better deal. Where you might find deals: Zales, Blue Nile, local jewelers
Potential savings: 30 to 50 percent
