What to buy in June — and what can wait

As more Americans get vaccinated against Covid-19, public spaces reopen and some mask mandates end, many aspects of life are starting to feel normal again. However, Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor of The NPD Group, said shoppers are still buying items “within the new lifestyle” the pandemic forced upon us, notably within five categories: work from home, school at home, entertainment at home, the healthy home and fitness at home. Sales for products that fall within these categories — from air purifiers and exercise bikes to TVs and Wi-Fi upgrades — remain strong.

Because retail is “better than expected” right now, Cohen said many brands and retailers may not host as many June promotions or discounts compared to years past, other than during holidays. And the summer months offer two holidays known for their sales: Memorial Day and Labor Day. Thus, June might be quiet on the sales front, according to Cohen. However, he noted that deals will begin to pick up towards the end of the month — retailers will want to get rid of leftover inventory, like patio furniture that didn’t sell at the beginning of the season.

Another factor that will impact June sales is Amazon Prime Day. Cohen said while the exact date hasn’t been announced yet, Prime Day 2021 will take place in June. And it’s a mega sale other retailers are likely to respond to. Cohen said he expects Walmart and Target, for example, to host sales or offer promotions around the same time as Prime Day to compete with Amazon.

To help guide your shopping as the summer begins, we consulted retail experts about the best deals to shop in June. We also included tips about what to hold off on, and which sales offer the best deals for specific products.

Between Father’s Day and graduations this month, Sara Skirboll, shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot, said photo services usually see discounts of about 35 percent off in June. Additionally, Skirboll said shoppers can expect deals on cookware and kitchen gear to hover around 23 percent off on average. She said June is the beginning of wedding season, and items for home — especially the kitchen — are popular wedding gifts.

Office supplies are also expected to be on sale in June. Discounts are typically 21 percent off, according to Skirboll. “This time last year, we were all hunkered down at home due to strict stay at home and social distancing orders. Many retailers held discounts to help consumers get their offices and at-home activities and classrooms in order,” Skirboll said. “Even though some are slowly but surely returning to office spaces, we can expect retailers to offer discounts this year to try and comp prior year sales activity.”

Skirboll said many parents are looking for products to keep kids occupied during the summer, and toys, games and educational activities usually see discounts of about 27 percent off on average. Cohen mentioned that shoppers will see incentives from the travel industry this month, too, like hotel packages.

If you’re looking for mattresses or large appliances like washing machines, dryers and refrigerators, Skirlboll said it’s best to wait for holiday sales. Since many Memorial Day sales just ended, she suggested holding off on these purchases until Labor Day, Black Friday or the winter holiday season.

As for summer apparel, Skirboll and Cohen both recommend waiting to buy items like flip flops, shorts and swimwear until the middle of the summer. The same goes for outdoor products like patio furniture, playsets and pool accessories. Cohen said the beginning of June is the peak season for these types of items, and they won’t go on sale until mid-June to July.

If you’re looking to upgrade your AirPods, consider Apple’s latest release, the AirPods Pro. Different from the previous AirPods, the AirPods Pro includes active noise cancellation. And while it buffers out any outside noise (like over-the-ear-headphones do), it also features a transparency mode that you can activate that will let you hear what’s happening around you. Garnering a 4.8-star average from almost 200,000 Amazon shoppers, the earphones are also sweat- and water-resistant.

Made of ballistic nylon, this Briggs and Riley bag functions as both a duffel and hanging garment bag (suitable for 1-2 suits, according to the brand). The 2-in-1 bag also features adjustable straps, a mesh technology pocket and a separate shoe compartment on side. Not to mention, the bag is backed by Briggs & Riley’s Lifetime Guarantee, meaning if your bag needs to be repaired, the company will cover it — free of charge.

A Sur La Table exclusive, this Le Creuset cast iron grill works on the barbecue, stove and induction cooktop, meaning users can grill vegetables and meat no matter the weather. Featuring a ribbed cooking surface, the grill allows fat to drain away while still creating signature grill marks. This 12.5-inch grill has a 4.5-star average rating from over 120 Sur La Table shoppers.

With a 4.5-star average from over 20,000 shoppers, this mattress is Casper’s most popular mattress. Engineered to keep you cool all night, it features a breathable foam that lets air circulate while you sleep. The foam is also divided into three ergonomic zones that help to keep your spine aligned. Additionally, each mattress is made from 57 recycled bottles.

This dress from French Connection has a simple racer neckline and bodycon fit. Available in X-Small, Small, Medium and Large, the dress has a 4.7-star rating from Nordstrom shoppers.

Dyson’s Pure Hot + Cool appliance is both a space heater and air purifier. On the space heater half, the home appliance has the capability to heat a 1,200-square-foot room. And as an air purifier, it captures 99.97 percent of fine particles, including allergens and pollutants, with its sealed HEPA filters, according to the brand. Additionally you can monitor your air quality with the Dyson Link app.

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Megan Foster, Shop TODAY contributed.