Best Times of the Year to Shop Online in the UK (And Save Big!)
Shopping online is already convenient and often cheaper than hitting the high street. But did you know that when you shop can be just as important as where you shop?
Timing is everything when it comes to saving money. Whether you’re looking for deals on fashion, electronics, home goods, or even groceries, certain times of the year are known for their massive discounts, exclusive voucher codes, and limited-time flash sales.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best times of the year to shop online in the UK, what types of products to buy during each season, and tips to maximise your savings every time you click “checkout.”
🗓️ 1. January – New Year Sales
The holiday rush may be over, but the savings are just getting started.
Why it’s great:
Retailers want to clear excess holiday stock and start the new year fresh. That means deep discounts across multiple categories.
What to buy:
- Winter clothing and fashion
- Electronics and tech leftovers from Christmas
- Homeware, storage, and organization supplies
- Fitness gear (thanks to New Year’s resolutions)
Extra tip:
Look for voucher codes on top of already discounted items at sites like MakeSaving.co.uk — January is a perfect time to stack deals.
❤️ 2. February – Valentine’s Day & End-of-Season Clearance
Valentine’s Day offers deals on gifts, flowers, and experiences. At the same time, fashion retailers push out winter stock to make way for spring collections.
What to buy:
- Jewellery and perfumes
- Chocolates and gift sets
- Spa packages or romantic getaway deals
- Winter clearance clothing
Bonus:
Look for Buy One, Get One Free offers on gifts around mid-February.
🌸 3. March – Mother’s Day & Pre-Spring Deals
UK Mother’s Day often falls in March, creating a wave of gift discounts.
What to buy:
- Beauty products
- Fragrances
- Home decor and garden items (pre-spring prep)
- Personalised gifts
Money-saving tip:
Retailers like Boots, Superdrug, and NotOnTheHighStreet release limited-time promo codes for gift sets and bundles.
🐣 4. April – Easter Sales
Easter weekend brings online-only flash sales and store-wide offers, especially on fashion and food.
What to buy:
- Kids’ toys and chocolate
- Fashion (spring/summer styles)
- Travel and family outing vouchers
- DIY supplies and gardening tools
Bonus:
Bank Holiday weekends often trigger extra discount codes on electronics and home upgrades.
🛍️ 5. May – Bank Holiday Deals & Summer Previews
May is full of long weekends, and retailers love using them as sales triggers.
What to buy:
- BBQs and garden furniture
- Travel essentials
- Outdoor gear and camping equipment
- Tech and gadgets
Insider hack:
Sign up for early-bird newsletters from your favourite stores to get exclusive voucher codes during these sales.
☀️ 6. June – Father’s Day & Summer Kick-Off
Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day sees loads of gift-oriented deals, particularly for gadgets and grooming kits.
What to buy:
- Electronics
- Shaving kits and men’s grooming
- Clothing and shoes
- Sports and fitness accessories
Tip:
Don’t forget about early summer sales on travel and outdoor items — especially if you’re planning a holiday.
🌴 7. July – Summer Sales (And Amazon Prime Day)
Mid-summer is HUGE for online discounts — particularly on fashion, travel, and tech.
What to buy:
- Summer clothes
- Luggage and travel accessories
- Gaming gear and smart tech
- Amazon devices during Prime Day
Pro move:
Use MakeSaving.co.uk to find non-Amazon deals matching or even beating Prime Day prices.
🛒 8. August – Back to School Bargains
From uniforms and stationery to laptops and backpacks, August is back-to-school season.
What to buy:
- Office and school supplies
- Tech for students
- Kids’ clothing
- Desk and home office furniture
Look for:
Retailers like Argos, Currys, and WHSmith run student-specific voucher codes during August.
🍁 9. September – Pre-Autumn Offers & Fashion Deals
As summer wraps up, brands start pushing fall stock and discounting leftover summer gear.
What to buy:
- Summer clearance (perfect for next year!)
- Mid-season fashion
- Furniture and home upgrades
- Early Halloween decor
Tip:
It’s a great time to buy off-season — sandals, swimwear, and fans are all reduced heavily.
🎃 10. October – Early Black Friday Warm-Ups
October is a sneaky good time to shop. Many retailers start testing Black Friday-style discounts earlier than you think.
What to buy:
- Tech and accessories
- Fashion previews for winter
- Small home appliances
- Halloween costumes and decor
🖤 11. November – Black Friday & Cyber Monday
The holy grail of UK online shopping. Black Friday (and the entire week before and after) brings record-breaking discounts.
What to buy:
- Electronics
- Fashion
- Toys and Christmas gifts
- Kitchen appliances
- Subscription boxes and services
Power Tip:
Use MakeSaving.co.uk to filter verified Black Friday codes, since many “deals” are inflated.
🎄 12. December – Christmas & Boxing Day Sales
Retailers go big in December with last-minute Christmas discounts and end-of-year clearance.
What to buy:
- Gifts, toys, and games
- Fashion (especially partywear)
- Christmas decorations
- Subscriptions and services
Bonus Round:
Boxing Day sales start on the 26th and can rival Black Friday in some categories — ideal for buying next year’s gifts early!
💡 Quick Recap: When to Buy What
| Month | Best Categories |
| January | Electronics, fitness, home storage |
| March | Gifts, home & garden, beauty |
| July | Fashion, travel, Prime Day tech |
| November | Tech, toys, fashion (Black Friday) |
| December | Gifts, clearance, Boxing Day sales |
🧠 Pro Tips to Maximise Year-Round Savings
- Use trusted voucher sources like MakeSaving.co.uk to find the freshest codes.
- Plan big purchases around sales months (e.g., new TV in November, garden gear in May).
- Stack discounts by combining promo codes, cashback, and loyalty programs.
- Sign up for alerts from your favourite stores and voucher platforms.
- Use wishlist tools to track price drops on specific products.
🎯 Ready to Shop Smart Year-Round?
Now that you know the best times to save, don’t forget the where. At MakeSaving.co.uk, we bring you UK’s best voucher codes, discounts, and shopping tips — all in one place.
Whether it’s January clearance or November madness, we’re here to help you shop smarter every month of the year.
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