Labor Day Sales Peak as Retailers Offer Deep Discounts and Big-Ticket Deals
Labor Day is approaching on September 7, 2026, and retailers are gearing up for their end-of-summer clearance sales. The first Monday in September marks the beginning of the back-to-school season, but it also signals the start of deep discounts on summer items such as swimsuits, sandals, patio furniture, and outdoor gear.
Retailers typically begin offering steep discounts on these items in August and continue through early September. For those looking to hit a minimum spending requirement on a credit card bonus, now is the time to look for deals on big-ticket items like mattresses and large appliances.
The Points Guy's team has compiled a list of the best Labor Day sales and provides tips on how to maximize purchases by stacking cash-back and card offers. For example, shopping portals such as Rakuten and AAdvantage eShopping allow users to earn cash back, airline miles, or transferable points at various online retailers.
The team recommends checking which portal offers the highest rates through an aggregator like Cashback Monitor. Additionally, targeted credit card offers from brands like American Express and Chase can provide statement credits to select retailers, while category-bonus credit cards offer bonus points on categories such as department stores or online retailers.