Have After-Christmas sales become a thing of the past?

[DodgerGirl]

It used to be tradition that every year after Christmas the stores would have After Christmas sales and you could get anything from toys to Christmas decor at clearance prices and now I have noticed that After-Christmas sales have now become a thing of the past now? Is it because people wait until the second week of January to find the best deals on items or is it because people always stock up on new Christmas decor for next year? I have noticed that the first things that go on After-Christmas sales on clearance is candy and Christmas food and I cannot figure out how people buy loads of Christmas candy during these sales? When you do find After-Christmas sales the first item that sells is clothing and toys second and electronics third. Take for example I went to Amazon and they don't even call the sales After-Christmas sales anymore and instead call them Winter sales and it shocked me that they did this now. And when browsing Amazon I found Nintendo Switch games on clearance for $50 and the cheaper Switch games are $20 and when I looked at Amazon's toy section they had Marvel Legends action figures for $30 and Mattel Wicked Dolls for $40. And I went to Amazon's toy clearance and the toys they had on clearance were mainly infant and toddler toys and how in the world does Amazon do these so-called After- Christmas clearance sales? And when I watched QVC they had a whole After-Christmas sale on nothing but clothing and I think the stores are saving the deals for the other two holidays which are Valentine's Day and Easter so people can put toys in children's Easter baskets

 

[LuvOrlando]

I noticed this too, I do miss the fun of discovering a thing I wanted at a better price after Christmas. This rarely happens anymore.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Yes, it seems the sales start before the holiday now, so they can quickly clear the shelves for the next displays. It's sad it's so rushed.

I did get a couple of deals online yesterday from the Current catalog - Christmas items for next year and a random thing I needed.

 

[slo]

My DD21 and I went to the mall the day after Christmas to buy a birthday present for my DH, and we were surprised at the lack of of good sales and the lack of people there. In the past, the day after Christmas was a big shopping day. We did take advantage of a great sale at Bath and Body Works, but that’s it.

 

[lanejudy]

I think it all comes down to inventory management. Modern systems allow the retailers to very closely monitor their inventory and buy just what they feel they'll sell without much left over to put on sale.

 

[DanceDisney23]

I noticed that the Christmas merchandise was pretty much picked over two weeks before Christmas. By Christmas Eve, there was not much left in the stores. It looks like the Christmas sales cycle ends in mid-December now. Christmas lights were available from September to November.

The day after Christmas, the valentines candy was on display, and Target now has a spring home decor section where the Christmas decor used to be.

 

[Kitty 34]

They just put it away and bring it out in about 7 months. LOL

 

[NAB]

We used to look forward to Boxing Day sales but there really wasn’t any or it was the same on sale before Christmas.

 

[tony67]

Yeah not much for deals this year and the valentines stuff is already out.

I think they are ordering less and also started the sales very early.

In the past we would shop on new years day and pick up lots of stuff 80 to 90% off for the next Christmas - but just not seeing it anymore.

Best I did was some unique German Christmas treats at 75% off at Fresh Market.

In the past I would also get stuff at Amazon Fresh (candy etc at 90% off - they had none of that this year)

EDIT:BTW - some places are not even bothering to put it on sale and throw it away to make room for Valentines.

 

[North of Mouse]

In the day, 'nothing' was put on sale until after Christmas so they had their sales (clearances) after. For the last several years almost everything is discounted or on sale from their regular marked up prices all during the season, but especially in Dec. In fact, I have noticed that many things are cheaper before Christmas than after!! Sooo, no need to clear most merchandise because people are going to use their gift cards (which have become so popular) anyway. A win-win for the stores.
Valentines plus Easter are already appearing in stores here.

 

[Nayan]

With the holiday merchandise showing up earlier and with it the sales, there's really no 'need' for after Christmas sales. Even craft stores like Joanns and Michaels have Christmas decor on sale for 50% off before Thanksgiving and usually by mid December there's hardly anything left.

Also stores no longer stockpile things like they did in the past, so less merchandise, less things to put on sale.

 

[ronandannette]

We used to look forward to Boxing Day sales but there really wasn’t any or it was the same on sale before Christmas.

I’m really sorry that the Boxing Day blow-outs of yesteryear seem to have gone by the wayside. It used to be such a big deal. I blame it on the influence of American Black Friday.

 

[Disneefun]

I had to go to Target Veteran's Day weekend and this Christmas stuff was already half price and almost completely gone. I was in walmart last week and all they had left was some wrapping paper. Seems like nowadays if you want Christmas decor, you'd better get it in October.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I've noticed in recent years that Black Friday is when the bulk of the holiday decor goes on sale.

Case in point- I went to Lowes around 11/8. They were fully stocked with every kind of holiday decor imaginable. I took pictures of everything of interest. I completely forgot to check the sale prices on Black Friday. By that Saturday after Thanksgiving, nearly everything I wanted had gone on sale the day before and sold out. I still ended up getting my second favorite of their GE trees on sale for about $100 off, but when I went inside the following day to see what else they might have, the shelves were shockingly bare. Not completely bare, but I'd say 85% empty.

I don't wrap until Christmas Eve. I'm usually able to pick up discounted wrapping paper by waiting until Christmas week. The big roll I got was 50% off. DH found something similar with the bows and labels he got at Walmart later on that day.

I'm looking to revamp my outdoor display, but not sure if I want to buy at full price when stock is plentiful in early Nov or gamble and try and get Black Friday deals.

 

[Southernmiss]

I've noticed in recent years that Black Friday is when the bulk of the holiday decor goes on sale.

Case in point- I went to Lowes around 11/8. They were fully stocked with every kind of holiday decor imaginable. I took pictures of everything of interest. I completely forgot to check the sale prices on Black Friday. By that Saturday after Thanksgiving, nearly everything I wanted had gone on sale the day before and sold out. I still ended up getting my second favorite of their GE trees on sale for about $100 off, but when I went inside the following day to see what else they might have, the shelves were shockingly bare. Not completely bare, but I'd say 85% empty.

I don't wrap until Christmas Eve. I'm usually able to pick up discounted wrapping paper by waiting until Christmas week. The big roll I got was 50% off. DH found something similar with the bows and labels he got at Walmart later on that day.

I'm looking to revamp my outdoor display, but not sure if I want to buy at full price when stock is plentiful in early Nov or gamble and try and get Black Friday deals.

When we've needed to revamp any decorations these last few years, we've done it in November because there wasn't a good selection in December or after Christmas the year before.

One of our outdoor decorations needed to be replaced after we put it out this year. I ordered a new item on Amazon to replace it.

The new item was defective and I had to replace that one. The new one arrived on Dec 20th.

I think Amazon and online ordering has also affected in person after Christmas sales.

It's just so easy to order from the comfort of wherever you are instead of getting out.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just think stores are trying harder to "right size" their stock so there isn't as much left after Christmas. It was hard to find things I wanted in the couple weeks leading up to Christmas. Makes me think they are cutting their noses off to spite their faces.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

When we've needed to revamp any decorations these last few years, we've done it in November because there wasn't a good selection in December or after Christmas the year before.

One of our outdoor decorations needed to be replaced after we put it out this year. I ordered a new item on Amazon to replace it.

The new item was defective and I had to replace that one. The new one arrived on Dec 20th.

I think Amazon and online ordering has also affected in person after Christmas sales.

It's just so easy to order from the comfort of wherever you are instead of getting out.

Oh, I firmly agree. That Black Friday sale tree I bought was done online. I hate messing with the physical stores in sale mode. Although, there was some peace of mind having seen it in person and knowing I thought it was really pretty.

As much as I hate hitting the stores, in person is good so I can get a better gauge on size and quality. I had to replace our NOEL (tied into a family joke). I didn't like anything I saw in person, so I was stuck with Amazon. I've had decent luck in the past but the options were limited. The one with better reviews and a slightly higher price involves pastel colors. The one I bought was cheaper, had mixed reviews, but the colors were better. I ended up with this...



The poor lighting in the E and L, along with the shape of the N, made it really hard to read. The plastic on the snow globe was also the wrong thickness so the blower wasn't strong enough to fully inflate it. At least the globe issue wasn't as noticeable at night. I'm hoping to find a suitable replacement earlier in the season next year.

Still, I want to start moving away from inflatables and go back to my old Christmas Tree Forest theme. So, I see a lot of lights in my future.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Its not a thing of the past at all.
Anything Christmas themed went on clearance.
The usual paper, bows, inflatables, lights etc.
Even things like towels that were red and white plaid or had a snowman.
And generally things that are not Christmas themed don't go on sale unless say it was a hot item for a gift this year so the retailers ordered more and then have too much and are trying to get rid of them.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I was at a Homegoods store the week before Christmas and they already had a pallet of Valentine's stuff ready to be put on the shelves. We went to CVS the day after Christmas hoping to find some discounted wrapping paper for next year. Not only was there no wrapping paper, but they barely had any Christmas stuff left and there was a guy putting Valentine's Day stuff on the shelves. We couldn't find any wrapping paper at Rite Aid either. There used to be tons of discounted stuff after Christmas and we would stock up for next year. Not this year, it seems.

 

[Diznygrl]

A few strands on my pre-lit tree died last year in the middle of Christmas and I couldn't repair them with my LightKeeper, so I knew that I would have to be shopping for a new tree the next October if I wanted a full selection. So, that's exactly what I did! The lady at the exit (yes, I got my tree at Walmart) was balking at the fact that I was buying a Christmas tree in October, but I mean....I know how this stuff works nowadays and I'm surprised that she didn't. You can't wait around to buy stuff anymore, especially if it's seasonal.