Sales in New York

Pay attention to the sales in New York if you go shopping during your city trip. This can save you a lot of money. Shopping in New York is on the to-do list with many visitors. Due to the wide range of shops on offer, the Big Apple is a real shopping paradise! There are regular sales, such as the annual summer and winter sales. In addition, there is often a sale around holidays.

Discount Shopping in New York

When you’re looking for the best bargains in New York, there are a few stores that are particularly interesting to visit. I’ll tell you where to find good deals in New York and give you some extra tips as well.

Saks OFF 5TH

Saks Fifth Avenue is the most famous department store in New York. Saks Fifth Avenue is known for its big selection of designer items and its spectacular Christmas window displays. Did you know they also operate an outlet store? It’s called Saks OFF 5TH, located at 125 East 57th Street, and is home to all of the same designer brands but 70% OFF.

📍 Location: 125 East 57th Street
Century 21

To find great bargains, head to Century 21 in Downtown Manhattan. Here you can find high-end fashion and other items from brands such as Gucci, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors with up to 65% off. The outlet store has women’s, men’s and children’s sections, as well as sections for shoes, perfumes, homeware and more.

📍 Location: 22 Cortlandt Street
T.J. Maxx

T.J. Maxx is a store where you’ll find great bargains. This store has everything from clothing and footwear to home goods. They often carry well-known brands such as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, but they also have their ‘Gold Label,’ which has designers like Gucci or Jimmy Choo.

📍 Location: multiple locations throughout the city, the largest one is at 620 6th Avenue
Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of the department store chain Nordstrom. Here you find designer and brand-name clothing, shoes and accessories at discounted prices, typically 30-70% off regular retail prices. The stores mainly sell overstock, end-of-season merchandise, and items specifically made for the outlet.

📍 Location: 60 East 14th Street & 865 6th Avenue
Designer Shoe Warehouse

DSW, Designer Shoe Warehouse is an American retailer with multiple locations in New York. If you are looking for off-price shoes, handbags and accessories for women, men and kids, then this is the place to visit.

📍 Location: multiple locations throughout the city
Flea markets

Another great option to shop on a budget in New York is to go to one of the flea markets. There are several, like the Chelsea Flea Market and the DUMBO Flea Market, and they are great places to for example find vintage clothing, unique designer items and antiques for relatively low prices.
Factory Stores in New York

In New York, there are other options for discount shopping, namely ‘factory stores’. A factory store is where surplus stock or older collections are sold. In New York City, you’ll find the Gap Factory Outlet and the Banana Republic Factory Outlet. If you are looking for more of an outlet centre? Read my guide on outlets in New York.

📍 Location: multiple locations throughout the city

Tips for Bargain Shopping in New York

In addition to the best places to go for good deals, I also have a few other tips for you when it comes to shopping on a budget in New York.

Watch out for liquidation sales

Be careful at stores that have display signs that do not have prices listed. Never rely on texts such as “liquidation”, “last days” or “going out of business”. Especially electronics stores around Times Square are known to use these tricks. If you buy something from such a store, make sure that everything is in the original box, including the warranty card and manual.

Save more with loyalty cards

A great way to save some money is to sign up for a free loyalty card if the store offers it. Often you can sign up with just your email address. For others, such as ones from drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, they might require more information. It might, however, be worthwhile checking them out as often in-store deals are exclusive to loyalty card members.

Black Friday shopping

When you’re in New York at the end of November, you’re lucky, as you can then enjoy the Black Friday deals! Black Friday is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving, and it’s the best day to go shopping in New York! Almost all shops offer special Black Friday deals. So if you’re planning on buying something specific in New York, you better wait for the great discounts on this shopping day.

Things to buy cheaper in New York than in the UK

If you plan on going on a shopping spree during your trip, there are some products and brands that are especially worth checking out. Apple products like iPhones and iPads are usually cheaper in the US. And also buying clothes in New York from well-known brands like Levi’s and GAP is often cheaper than in the UK. Especially when you head to an outlet centre, like Woodbury Common.

When are the sales in New York?

New York has several sales periods throughout the year, most of which coincide with national holidays. Basically any holiday will include large retail sales.

Winter sales

January is great for discount shopping in NYC! Every year, there’s a sale period after Christmas, and the winter clearance sales continue until the beginning of January. Keep an eye out for sales around other winter holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day.

Spring sales

During the spring months, there are sales around Easter, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Spring is a good time to visit New York anyway, as it is not too crowded and the weather is usually nice.

Summer sales

Summer also has a few sales periods, including those around Father’s Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day.

Autumn sales

If you’re visiting New York in autumn and looking forward to some shopping, you’re in luck! Autumn is the season with the most public holidays and the best sales periods. Veterans Day on November 11th is known for major sales. You can also do bargain shopping around Halloween and Thanksgiving. And, of course, the most important sales event of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday!