You know the feeling. It’s a humid Monday in September, the grill is smoking, and you’re scrolling through your phone thinking you missed the boat on the big summer clearances. Honestly, most people wait until the actual holiday to start looking for deals. That's a mistake.
If you’re hunting for the Macy's Labor Day sale, you’ve got to move faster than the calendar suggests. By the time Labor Day itself rolls around, the best "Last Act" clearances are usually picked over by people who started shopping on the Wednesday prior. In 2025, we saw the deals kick off as early as August 27th. For 2026, you should be ready to pounce by September 2nd.
This isn't just about 20% off a pair of jeans. We’re talking about a massive structural shift in how Macy’s moves inventory.
The Strategy Behind the Savings
Basically, Macy’s uses this weekend to purge the warehouse. They need room for the heavy wool coats and holiday glitter that arrive in October. This means the discounts are aggressive—often hitting 60% or 70% off—but the real "expert" move involves stacking rewards.
If you’re a Star Rewards member, this is your Super Bowl. During the 2025 event, Macy’s offered $10 in Star Money for every $50 spent for cardholders. That’s a 20% "kickback" on top of the existing markdowns. For anyone looking at high-ticket items like a Serta Perfect Sleeper or a Radley Fabric Sofa, those points add up to a free wardrobe refresh later in the year.
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Short paragraphs are great, but let's get into the weeds of what actually drops in price.
You’ll see a lot of noise about "site-wide" sales, but that's rarely true. Usually, it's a tiered system: 20% off with a promo code (like LABOR or SAVE) for clothing, but much deeper cuts on housewares. Last year, T-fal nonstick cookware sets dropped from $156 to around $66. That’s more than 50% off. If you need a kitchen overhaul, this is the window.
The Mattress and Furniture Trap
Buying a mattress at Macy's during Labor Day is a classic move, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed. They love the word "Closeout."
When you see a Beautyrest Silver or a Sealy Posturepedic labeled as a closeout, it means once that specific model is gone, it’s gone. In the 2025 sale, we saw $2,700 mattresses listed for under $1,000. It sounds too good to be true. It’s not, but there is a catch. Closeout items often have different return policies than standard stock. Always check if that "70% off" tag comes with a "final sale" rider.
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Furniture is a different beast. The Macy's Labor Day sale is famous for the "Buy More, Save More" model on sectional sofas and dining sets.
- Dining Sets: Usually 30-40% off, but better deals exist on floor models.
- Small Appliances: Look for the "Mail-in Rebate" specials. Brands like Bella or Crux often have small appliances for $10-$20 after the rebate.
- Area Rugs: Often discounted up to 60%, especially the larger 8x10 sizes that are expensive to ship otherwise.
Why the "Last Act" Section is Your Best Friend
If you wander into a physical Macy’s store, head straight for the back. Look for the white tags with the purple "Last Act" header. This is where the real 80% off deals live.
Wait.
There’s a trick to the pricing. If a price ends in $0.06, it’s the final markdown. It won't go lower. If it ends in $0.97 or $0.98, there might be one more price drop coming, but during Labor Day, the risk of it selling out is high. Sorta like a game of chicken with the clearance rack.
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Shipping and Logistics
Nobody wants to pay $15 to ship a $20 shirt. Macy’s usually sets their free shipping threshold at $49, but during the Labor Day weekend, they often lower this for Star Rewards members.
Bronze members (the free tier) might get free shipping at $39. If you aren't spending that much, the "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store" (BOPIS) option is a lifesaver. Plus, they sometimes throw in an extra 10-20% off coupon just for choosing to pick it up yourself. It saves them the shipping cost, and it saves you a few bucks. Win-win.
Beyond the Basics: Jewelry and Beauty
People forget that fine jewelry goes on massive clearance during this window. We've seen Diamond Teardrop Cluster Necklaces marked down from $250 to $75. That’s a 70% cut. It’s not just the "cheap" stuff either; high-end brands often have "Limited-Time Specials" that aren't advertised on the front page.
In the beauty aisle, it’s less about the price drop and more about the "Gift with Purchase." Brands like Lancôme and Clinique use Labor Day to launch their fall beauty boxes. You might pay full price for a serum, but you’ll walk away with a bag of 6-10 full-sized products for a fraction of their value.
Actionable Next Steps
To actually win at the Macy's Labor Day sale, you need a plan that starts before the weekend.
- Join Star Rewards now: Even the free Bronze tier earns you points. You don't need the credit card to get the base rewards.
- Download the app: Macy's often pushes "App Only" early access deals 24 hours before the website updates.
- Check the "HOME" code: Historically, the promo code HOME or LABOR unlocks the extra 10-20% off. Try them even if they aren't prominently displayed.
- Audit your linen closet: Towels and bedding are consistently the best-performing categories in terms of raw percentage off. Charter Club towels for $8 are a staple of this sale.
- Compare the "One Day Sale": Occasionally, Macy's runs a "One Day Sale" (which usually lasts three days) right after Labor Day. If you miss the holiday, check the following Friday—sometimes the clearance leftovers get an extra 25% "kicker" discount to clear the floor.
Track the prices on high-ticket furniture at least two weeks out. If the price doesn't budge by the Wednesday before Labor Day, it might not be part of the holiday promotion. In that case, wait for the Friends & Family sale in October.