Sales Cycles by Month

[Flash]

Sales Cycles

click on a month to view the month for that list, or scroll down through the posts to see various months.


January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Tips for sales cycles

[Flash]

JANUARY:

Sales/Deals:
Oatmeal (it’s National Oatmeal Month!)
Quaker products

New Years Resolutions!
Diet foods and products-
New Year, New You type promotions
Healthy Choice
South Beach
Lean Cuisine
Yogurt
100 calorie packs
Special K, K20, Right Bites, Smart Start
Diet aids

Winter Health
Cold Medicines
Pain Relief
Health products
Vitamins

Soup, Chili, “warm you up” type foods

Super Bowl party foods-
Pepsi
Coke
soda
Chips
Dips
Cheese
sandwich items
crackers
snacks


Cleaners/household items (winter cleaning, organization, storage)

White sales/home items

Furniture

Special promotions introducing new product lines, especially
Hair color
Make up
Beauty products
Bath products

Clearance items:
Calendars, planners, anything dated items (these go “out of date” quickly after 1/1)
Christmas/Hanukkah/New Years party supplies
Wrapping paper, ribbons, bows
Ornaments
Candles
Winter clothing, coats, gloves, hats, boots, etc.
Computers
Home Gym equipment and gear


Occasions:
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 1 – 7 is National Lose Weight/Feel Great Week
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
Super Bowl Sunday

Other Promotions this month:
Bread Machine Baking Month
National Candy Month
National Egg Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Meat Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Slow Cooker Month
National Soup Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Prune Breakfast Month

Produce in Season:
Anjou Pear
Blood Orange ~ New
Bok Choy ~ Waning
Bosc Pears ~ Waning
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celeriac/Celery Root
Celery
Chard
Collards ~ New
Comice Pears ~ Waning
Daikon ~ Waning
Fennel ~ New
Fuerte ~ Waning
Grapefruit
Green Cabbage
Greens Including Stir-fry Mix
Haas Avocado ~ New
Kale
Kiwi
Kumquat
Leeks
Lemons ~ Peak
Mandarins/Tangerines ~ Peak
Mushrooms, Wild
Napa Cabbage
Navel Oranges ~ New
Onions, Green ~ New
Potatoes, White ~ Waning
Rhubarb, Hothouse ~ New
Rutabaga ~ Waning
Savoy
Spinach
Squash, Butternut ~ Waning
Sunchoke
Turnips ~ Waning
Zutano Avocado ~ Waning

[Flash]

FEBRUARY:

Sales/Deals:
National Canned Food Month –
Canned vegetables
Canned fruits
Canned tuna
Canned beans
Cherry pie filling

National Hot Breakfast Month promos-
Kellogg’s, General Mills, Post, Quaker, etc.…
hot cereal
eggo’s
waffles
syrup, etc


Heart and heart-healthy products (American Heart Month)
aspirin, supplements, low cholesterol oils and spreads, etc.

Westminster Dog Show this month-
Dog food
Eukanuba
Pedigree
Purina
Iams

Valentine’s Day promos-
Chocolate (also Celebration of Chocolate Month)
Valentine’s candy
Condoms (also national Condom week February 14 – 21)
KY, Monistat, etc…
Hershey’s
Hershey’s kisses promos

Chinese New Year promo-
Soy sauce
Teriyaki
Canned water chestnuts, bamboo shoots
Crunchy noodles
Raman
Stir fry


Clearance items:
Valentine’s candy
Candy, Chocolate


Occasions:
Valentines Day
President’s Day
National African American Heritage Month
Chinese New Year
Women’s Heart Health Day February 1
Groundhog Day
Susan B Anthony Day


Other Promotions this month:
Canned Food month
Great American Pies month
National Cherry Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Snack Food Month
Various Potato occasions


Produce in Season:
Artichoke ~ New
Asparagus ~ New
Avocado, Haas
Blood Orange ~ Waning
Broccoli ~ Peak
Brussels Sprouts ~ Waning
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celeriac/Celery Root
Celery
Chard
Cherimoya
Chestnuts, Fresh Water ~ Peak
Collards
Fennel
Grapefruit ~ Peak
Greens Including Mustard, Stir-fry Mix, Turnip, Watercress
Kale
Kiwi
Kumquat
Leeks
Lemon
Mandarins/Tangerines
Navel ~ New
Onions, Spring
Pummelo
Radish ~ New
Raspberries ~ New
Red Potatoes
Rhubarb ~ New
Russet Potatoes
Spinach
Strawberries ~ New
Sunchoke ~ Waning
White Potato

[Flash]

MARCH:

Sales/Deals:
Frozen food month
All types
Frozen vegetables (box, bag, steam)
Frozen fruits
Frozen dinners/meals
Ice cream
Waffles
Fill-a-bag or multiple-item deals

Cleansers and household items (spring cleaning month)

Easter Seal theme for insert coupons and promotions

Easter falls in March OR April-
Eggs
Ham
Asparagus
Horseradish
Butter
Coconut
Some Jewish/Passover items not found during other months

Peanuts (national Peanut Month)

St Patrick’s Day –
Potatoes, corned beef, “irish” foods

Gardening supplies


Clearance items:
Winter items
Popsicle, ice cream, frozen novelties, etc (this is the time when “last year’s flavors” are cleared out, packaging redesigned, etc., to make room for the new products in April)


Occasions:
St. Patrick’s Day
Mardi Gras


Other Promotions this month:
National Frozen Food Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Red Cross Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Craft Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
National Pancake Week (March 2 – 8th)
Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Read Across America programs
National Quilting Day
End of March – April National Sleep Awareness Week


Produce in Season:
Artichoke ~ Peak
Asparagus
Avocado, Haas
Broccoli
Cabbages ~ Peak
Carrots ~ Peak
Cauliflower ~ Peak
Celeriac/Celery Root
Celery
Chard
Cherimoya ~ Waning
Collards ~ Peak
Fennel ~ Peak
Garlic, Green ~ Peak
Greens Including Braising Mix, Frisee, Mustard, Nettles, Tat-Soi
Kale
Kiwi ~ Waning
Kumquat ~ Waning
Leek
Lemon, Meyer
Lime, Key
Mushrooms, Morels ~ New
Onions, Spring
Orange, Navel ~ Peak
Peas, Edible Pods ~ New
Radish
Rhubarb
Salad Mix, Spring ~ New
Spinach
Strawberries
Sunchokes ~ Waning
Tangerine

[Flash]

APRIL:

Sales/Deals:
Depending on year, Easter/Passover/other holiday and sales may fall in March or April
Easter Seal theme for insert coupons and promotions
Eggs
Ham
Asparagus
Butter
Coconut
Horseradish
Some Jewish/Passover items not found during other months

Earth Day promos-
Organic foods
Organic/environmentally conscious products
Energy savers
Go Organic for Earth Day! Coupon booklet
Coupon inserts for environmental causes


Daylight Savings Time promos-
Batteries
smoke detectors
carbon monoxide monitors


Clearance items:
Olive Oil (April starts the new season)


Occasions:
April Fool’s Day
Earth Day
Arbor Day


Other Promotions this month:
National Garden Week
Medication Safety Week
Income Tax (various promotions)
Secretary’s/Administrative Professional’s Week
National Soyfoods Month
National Window Safety Week


Produce in Season:
Artichokes ~ Peak
Asparagus ~ Peak
Beets ~ New
Broccoli
Cabbages
Carrots
Celeriac/Celery Root
Chard ~ Waning
Fava Beans ~ New
Fennel
Grapefruit
Green Garlic ~ Waning
Greens - Collards, Dandelion, Lettuces, Nettles
Hass Avocado ~ New
Kale ~ Waning
Leeks ~ Waning
Mushrooms, Morels ~ Peak
Nopales
Onions, Spring
Onions, Sweet: Texas ~ New
Orange, Navel ~ Waning
Peas - Edible Pod ~ Peak
Peas - English/Shelling ~ New
Rhubarb, Field ~ Peak
Spinach ~ Waning
Spring Salad Mix ~ Peak

[Flash]

MAY:

Sales/Deals:
BBQ/Memorial Day promos-
BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Marinade
Pickles
Salad dressing
Popsicles
Hot dogs
Hamburger/ground beef
Ribs
Steaks
Buns
Paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, etc.
Soda
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Allergy meds
Coupon inserts of Summer Blast-off theme


Cinco De Mayo promos –
Salsa
Tortillas
Tacos, seasonings


National Pet Week promos-
Dog food
cat food
treats


Clearance items:


Occasions:
Memorial Day
May Day
Cinco de Mayo
Mother’s Day


Other Promotions this month:
Asian Pacific American Heritage month
National Allergy/Asthma Awareness month
National Asparagus month
National BBQ month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Strawberry Month
Skin cancer awareness/prevention month
International Pickle Week
Armed Forces Day

Kentucky Derby


Produce in Season:
Apricots ~ New
Artichokes ~ Waning
Asparagus
Avocado
Beans, Fava ~ Peak
Beans, Green ~ New
Beets
Blackberries ~ New
Broccoli ~ Waning
Cabbages ~ Waning
Cantaloupe ~ New
Carrots
Cauliflower ~ Waning
Celeriac/Celery Root ~ Waning
Celery ~ Waning
Chard ~ Waning
Cherries ~ New
Corn ~ New
Fennel ~ Waning
Garlic, Green ~ Waning
Grapefruit ~ Waning
Greens Including Arugula, Dandelion, Fiddlehead Fern, Lettuces, Mizuna, Mustard
Honeydew ~ New
Kale ~ Waning
Mushrooms, Morels ~ Waning
Onions, Fresh/Spring ~ Waning
Onions, Sweet: Vidalia ~ Peak
Peaches ~ New
Peas, Edible Pods ~ Peak
Peas, English/Shelling ~ Peak
Potatoes, New ~ New
Radish ~ Waning
Ramps ~ Peak
Raspberries ~ New
Rhubarb, Field ~ Waning
Salad Mix ~ Waning
Sorrel ~ Peak
Spinach ~ Waning
Squash, Zucchini ~ New
Strawberries
Watermelon ~ New

[Flash]

JUNE:

Sales/Deals:
National Dairy Month promos-
Dairy Products
Milk
Cheese
Ice cream
Yogurt
Sour cream


Easter Seals and Special Olympics Summer Games
(Early June – Children’s Miracle Network theme coupons)


July 4th promos-
BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Hot dogs
Marinade
Pickles
Salad dressing
Popsicles
Hamburger/ground beef
Ribs
Steaks
Buns
Paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, etc.
Soda
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Hats
Self-tanner

National Headache promos-
Aspirin
pain relievers
headache meds
allergy / sinus headache meds


Clearance items:


Occasions:
National Cancer Survivor’s Day
National Hunger Awareness Day
Flag Day
Father’s Day
Special Olympics Summer Games
Summer begins


Other Promotions this month:
National Candy Month
National Dairy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Safety Month
National Seafood Month
National Turkey Lover’s Month


Produce in Season:
Apricots ~ Peak
Beans, Green ~ New
Beets ~ Waning
Black Mission Figs ~ New
Blackberries ~ Peak
Blueberries
Boysenberries ~ Peak
Cantaloupe ~ New
Carrots ~ Waning
Cherries ~ New
Corn ~ New
Cucumber ~ New
Eggplant ~ New
Garlic ~ New
Grapes ~ New
Greens Including Kale
Honeydew ~ New
Lettuces ~ Waning
Limes ~ Peak
Loganberries
Nectarines ~ New
Ollieberries ~ New
Peaches ~ New
Peas: English/Shelling ~ Waning
Pineapple
Potatoes
Raspberries ~ Peak
Red Onions
Squash, Summer ~ New
Strawberries
Sweet Vidalia Onions ~ Peak
Sweet Walla Walla Onions ~ Waning
Tomatoes ~ New
Watermelon ~ New

[Flash]

JULY:

Sales/Deals:
Back to school starts school supply “deals”


July 4th promos- best BBQ sales of year through 7/4.
BBQ Sauce
Baked beans
Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Marinade
Hot dogs
Hamburger/ground beef
Ribs
Steaks
Buns
Paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, etc.
Soda
Insect repellent
Sunscreen

Blueberries
Fireworks


Clearance items:


Occasions:
July 4th
Parents Day


Other Promotions this month:
National Baked Bean Month
National Blueberry Month
National Ice Cream Month
National Hot Dog Month
Canada Day
Running of the Bulls


Produce in Season:
Ambrosia Mellon
Asian Pears ~ New
Bartlett Pears ~ New
Basil ~ New
Beans, Green
Blueberries ~ Peak
Canary Melon
Cherries ~ Waning
Corn ~ Peak
Cucumber ~ New
Currants ~ New
Eggplant ~ New
Figs, Black Mission, Calimyrna
French Butter Pears ~ Peak
Galaxy Mellon
Galia Mellon
Garlic
Gooseberries
Grapes
Limes
Nectarines ~ Peak
Okra ~ New
Onions, Red ~ Peak
Onions, Sweet Vidalia, Walla Walla ~ Waning
Oranges, Valencia ~ New
Peaches ~ Peak
Peppers, Sweet/Bell ~ New
Pineapple
Plums ~ New
Potatoes
Squash, Summer ~ Peak
Tomatoes ~ New
Watermelon

[Flash]

AUGUST:

Sales/Deals:
Back to School promos-
Lunchbox foods/meals
Pudding cups
Lunchables
Lunch meat
Bread
Cold cereal
Waffles
Kellogg’s promos
School and office supply
Pens
Pencils
Markers
Crayons
Glue
Paper

Backpacks
Lunchboxes

Fuel for School/Back to School coupon inserts and rebates


Teacher Appreciation Days at various stores (Staples, Office Depot, etc.)

1c sales on items each week at Staples and Office Depot

Clorox Classroom cleanup
disinfecting wipes
Purell, sanitizers
Clearance items:
BBQ equipment
Patio furniture, equipment
Charcoal, lighter fluid, etc.
August White sale/linens
Summer items
Sunscreen
Insect repellent


Occasions:


Other Promotions this month:

Produce in Season:
Adriatic Figs
Apple, Gravenstein ~ New
Avocado, Hass
Basil
Beans, Fresh Shelling Such As Cranberry, Black-Eyed Pea ~ New
Beans, Green ~ Peak
Berries:
Black Mission Figs
Blackberries ~ Waning
Blueberries ~ Waning
Brown Turkey Figs
Calimyrna Figs
Corn ~ Peak
Cucumber ~ Peak
Eggplant
Figs: ~ Peak
Garlic ~ Peak
Grapes, Red Flame ~ Peak
Kadota
Limes ~ Waning
Melons ~ Peak
Nectarines ~ Waning
Okra ~ Peak
Onion ~ Peak
Orange, Valencia ~ Peak
Peaches ~ Peak
Pears, Asian ~ New
Pears, Bartlett ~ Peak
Pepper, Bell
Plums ~ Peak
Raspberries ~ Peak
Squash, Summer ~ Peak
Thompson Seedless
Tomatillo ~ Peak
Tomato

[Flash]

SEPTEMBER:

Sales/Deals:
Back to School promos continue up to Labor Day-
Lunchbox foods/meals
Pudding cups
Lunchables
Juice boxes, Capri Sun
Pop Tarts
Lunch meat
Bread
Cold cereal
Waffles
School and office supply
Pens
Pencils
Markers
Crayons
Glue
Paper

Tomato products begin
Spaghetti Sauce
Tomato soup
Canned tomatoes
Tomato sauce

National Organic Harvest Month!
most stores will have additional offers on organic and natural products

Diabetes Smart coupon themes
Diabetic meters
Glucerna/Boost, etc.
Diabetic care

BABY ITEM MONTH, look for sales mid month on major baby equipment, baby safety, general new baby "stuff"

Organic Harvest month sales

Clearance items:
Summer holiday and picnic supplies
After Labor Day end of season clearance - look for 75% off BBQ and picnic supplies this weekend and after

Occasions:
Labor Day
Patriot Day
Autumn Begins
Rosh Hashanah


Other Promotions this month:
Baby Safety Month
Better Breakfast month
National Chicken Month
National Coupon Month
National Dog Week (9/21 – 9/27)
National Honey Month
National Potato Month
National Rice Month
National Organic Harvest Month
National Sewing Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (September – October)


Produce in Season:
Apples ~ Peak
Artichokes ~ New
Basil ~ Peak
Beans, Fresh Shelling ~ Peak
Bell Peppers
Celeriac/Celery Root ~ New
Chile Peppers
Cucumber ~ Peak
Eggplant ~ Peak
Figs ~ Waning
Fuyu (Firm) Persimmons
Garlic ~ Peak
Grapes ~ Peak
Hachiya (Soft) Persimmon
Kale ~ New
Kohlrabi ~ New
Melons ~ Waning
Okra ~ Peak
Onion
Orange, Valencia ~ Peak
Pears, Asian ~ Peak
Pears, Bartlett ~ Waning
Pistachios ~ New
Plums ~ Waning
Pomegranate ~ New
Potatoes ~ Waning
Quince ~ New
Summer Squash ~ Waning
Tomatillo ~ Waning
Tomatoes ~ Peak
Winter Squash ~ New

[Flash]

OCTOBER:

Sales/Deals:
Halloween promos
Candy
Cookies
Baking season begins
Baking chocolate chips
Fruitcake/candied fruit
nuts

Fall promos
Apples
Pumpkins (fresh)

Pet products, food

Car care products

The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) is celebrates the annual October Frozen Food Festival; look for many stores featuring special prices and promotions on America's favorite frozen food brands.

Daylight Savings time ends promos-
Batteries, smoke alarms, safety equipment, alarm clocks

Clearance items:
“last year” flavors of holiday foods – time to clear the shelves for new products and packaging…


Occasions:
Columbus Day
National Children’s Day
World Food Day/UN and UNICEF
Halloween
Daylight Savings time ends


Other Promotions this month:
Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month
Fire Prevention Week (10/5 – 10/11)
German-American Day
Pledge Across America/Reading/School Celebration
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Apple Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Chili Month
National Cookie Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Dessert Month
National Pizza Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month


Produce in Season:
Almonds ~ Peak
Apples ~ Peak
Artichokes ~ Peak
Arugula ~ New
Basil ~ Waning
Beans, Fresh Shelling ~ Waning
Beans, Green ~ Waning
Beet Greens ~ New
Beets ~ New
Broccoli ~ New
Brussels Sprouts ~ New
Cabbages ~ New
Cardoon ~ Peak
Celeriac/Celery Root
Chard ~ New
Chestnuts ~ Peak
Cranberries ~ New
Daikon ~ New
Eggplant ~ Waning
Escarole ~ New
Fuerte Avacado ~ New
Fuyu (Firm) Persimmons
Garlic ~ Waning
Haas Avacado ~ Waning
Hachiya (Soft) Persimmon
Kale
Kohlrabi
Kumquat ~ New
Lemons ~ New
Lettuce ~ New
Orange, Valencia ~ Waning
Parsley ~ New
Parsnip
Pears, Bosc ~ New
Pears, Comice ~ New
Peppers, Hot ~ Waning
Peppers, Sweet ~ Waning
Pistachios ~ Peak
Pomegranate ~ Peak
Potatoes
Potatoes, Sweet ~ New
Pumpkin ~ Peak
Quince ~ Peak
Radish ~ New
Raspberries ~ Waning
Rutabaga ~ New
Spinach ~ New
Squash, Winter ~ Peak
Tomato ~ Waning
Turnip Greens ~ New
Turnips ~ New
Walnut ~ New
Yams ~ New
Zutano Avacado ~ New

[Flash]

NOVEMBER:

Sales/Deals:
Quilts, blankets
Hot cocoa, coffee, tea
Canned foods – soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce
Baking goods

Great American SmokeOut promos-
Smoking cessation products (Nicorette, Commit, etc)

Holiday/Thanksgiving dinner foods
Turkey
Pumpkin (canned)
Stuffing mix
Potato mix
Butter
Sweet potatoes
Fresh potatoes
Gravy
Bread/rolls
Frozen pies
Cranberry sauce
Fresh cranberries

Clearance items:

Occasions:
Sadie Hawkins Day
Election Day
Veteran’s Day
Great American Smokeout – 11/20
Thanksgiving


Other Promotions this month:
American Diabetes Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National American Indian Heritage Month
Peanut Butter Month


Produce in Season:
Almonds ~ Waning
Anjou Pears ~ New
Apples ~ Waning
Artichokes ~ Waning
Beans, Green ~ Waning
Beets
Bok Choy
Bosc Pears ~ Peak
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbages ~ New
Carrots ~ New
Celeriac/Celery Root
Celery ~ New
Chard ~ New
Chestnuts ~ Waning
Comice Pears ~ Peak
Cranberries ~ Peak
Daikon ~ Peak
Dill ~ Peak
Endive
Fuerte Avocado
Fuyu (Firm) Persimmons ~ Peak
Garlic ~ Waning
Guava, Pineapple ~ New
Hachiya (Soft) Persimmons ~ Peak
Huckleberries ~ Peak
Kale
Kiwi ~ New
Kohlrabi ~ Waning
Kumquats
Leek
Lemons ~ New
Mandarins: Tangerines ~ New
Mustard Greens
Orange, Navel ~ New
Parsnip
Pecans ~ Waning
Peppers, Hot ~ Waning
Peppers, Sweet ~ Waning
Pistachios ~ Waning
Pomegranate ~ Waning
Potato
Potatoes, Sweet ~ Peak
Quince ~ Waning
Radish ~ Waning
Rutabaga
Salad Mix
Squash, Winter ~ Peak
Sunchoke ~ New
Turnip ~ New
Yams ~ Peak
Zutano Avocado

[Flash]

DECEMBER:

Sales/Deals:

Christmas dinner/Holiday party foods
Party/Deli platters
Cold cuts
Sour cream, dips
Crackers, chips
soda
Ham
Stuffing mix
Potato mix
Butter
Fresh potatoes
Gravy
Bread/rolls
Frozen pies
Green beans
Fried onion
Cream soups
Broth
Pie filling

Baking supplies
Flour
Sugar
Butter
Cream
Cake mix
Brownie mix
Muffin mix
Breads
Pie Crust
Marshmallow
Whipped cream

Wrapping paper, cards, ribbon, bows, tape

Egg nog
Party supplies, paper plates, napkins

Clearance items:
Post Thanksgiving clearance
Fall décor and craft clearance
After Christmas clearance

Occasions:
Chanukah
Winter begins
Christmas
New Year’s Eve
Kwansaa

Other Promotions this month:

Produce in Season:

Anjou Pears
Berries: Cranberries ~ Waning
Bok Choy
Bosc Pears ~ Peak
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts ~ Peak
Carrots
Cauliflower ~ New
Celeriac/Celery Root
Celery
Cherimoya ~ New
Comice Pears ~ Peak
Currants, Red
Daikon Radish ~ Waning
Dates, Fresh ~ Peak
Fuerte Pears
Grapefruit ~ New
Green
Haas Avocados ~ New
Kale
Kiwi
Kumquat
Lemon
Mandarins/Tangerines ~ Peak
Mushrooms, Wild ~ Peak
Napa Cabbage
Nuts: Walnuts, Chestnuts
Oranges, Navel ~ New
Parsleys
Parsnip ~ Waning
Quince
Red Cabbage
Rutabaga
Salad Mix
Savoy Cabbage
Spinach
Squash, Winter ~ Waning
Sunchoke
Sweet/Yams ~ Peak
Turnips ~ Peak
White Potato

[Flash]

TIPS

No one likes to purchase “old” products, so any products packaged in holiday, special occasion, sporting event, or special promotion packaging will go on clearance after the event. Some of the largest packaged events include Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but also Super Bowl/Football, World Series/Baseball, Olympics, etc. Special packaging is common for any “party foods”, like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, crackers, and chips.


Any food customized to a holiday (cookies, candy, sprinkles in colors, etc.) will be on clearance after the holiday. Examples might be refrigerated cookie dough in ghost shapes after Halloween, or Red/White/Blue sprinkles after July 4th.


Manufacturers typically launch promotions around new products. Look for clearance prices right before a new product is announced (if you take consumer surveys or are on email newsletters from brands, you will probably get advanced notice of new products). Slotting fees for products are expensive, and they need to make room for new products by selling off the old products.

Once a new product arrives, look for major promotions to clear the first wave of the product. Stores don’t stock products that don’t sell, so companies want to “prove” that the product should be stocked.

Store promotions of loss leaders and special deals are usually timed around special occasions. The “loss leader” is just that…they are designed to “lead” the customer in to the store. Most consumers shop at only one or two stores each week, so the 10 cent bottle of BBQ sauce goes in to the cart with hundreds of dollars on meat, produce, cleansers, and other items priced higher than at other stores that remove the potential savings.

Seasonal items are typically at promotional/deal prices very early in the season. Consumers typically want to buy products to have them for the entire season without storing them in the off season.

Manufacturers and stores like to coordinate their offers, even if they are competing for business. For example, if Planters peanuts go on sale, you might not really notice. But for “National Peanut Month”, if Planters, Sunkist, Skippy, Jif, etc. ALL put out sales and coupons, consumers are more likely to notice and to purchase them during the promotional period.


Companies also coordinate their sales against each other, paying for “exclusivity”. So one brand will have exclusive rights to the promotion, the coupon inserts that week, the sales banners, even the “blinkie machine” space on the shelf.

[kaykwilts]

Thanks for posting this list.

[suzy24]

Awesome info!! Thanks for doing on this work! Repped ya!