Do you hate it when you’ve bought something only to find it on sale the next week? Use this grocery sale cycle to figure out when things go on sale so you can plan ahead for these purchases.
Here’s your guide to grocery sale cycles for the entire year! Know when to stock up on certain grocery items and when to wait until things go on sale.
Free Printable Grocery Sales Cycle
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Post this on your fridge or add to your meal planning binder. This printable is formatted to fit nicely on 2 pages!
January
January is National Oatmeal month so a lot of Quaker products go on sale. Stock up on oatmeal products now since they usually have a long shelf life.
Also, since it’s the beginning a new year, dieting is on people’s minds. So diet foods go on sale.
The Super Bowl happens around end of January or early February. This is the time when chips, dips, soda, wings, and snack foods go on sale.
National Oatmeal Month: Quaker
Diet Foods: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs, Yogurt
Super Bowl Sunday: Pepsi, Coke, Chips, Dips, Cheese, Sandwich Items, Crackers, Snacks, Wings
Seasonal Produce: Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach
Clearance: Christmas Decorations, Toys, Wrapping Papers,
Winter Health: Cold Medicines and Vitamins
February
February is National Canned Food Month and National Hot Breakfast Month. So look out for sales on canned food like tuna, chicken, salmon, canned fruits and vegetables, waffle mixes, syrup, and breakfast meats.
Chinese New Year also happens around late January to early February. You can find deals on Chinese foods like frozen fried rice, frozen chow mein, potstickers, and soy sauce.
Also, Valentine’s Day happens this month! So stock up on chocolate, wines, cheeses, etc. Flowers don’t really go on sale this month, instead the prices go up.
If you’re looking for great deals on flowers, I’ve found a nice selection at great prices at Trader Joe’s. They also have a cute collection of cards that are 99 cents there!
National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Pie Fillings, Vegetables, Meats: Tuna, Chicken, Salmon
National Hot Breakfast Month: Malt O Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup
Valentines: Chocolate, Hershey’s, lubricants (TMI, right?), etc
Chinese New Year: Potstickers, Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles, Canned Water Chestnuts
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Spinach
March
March is frozen food month. That means stock up on ice cream, frozen veggies, frozen meals, and pizza.
March 7th is National Cereal Day. Look for deals on hot and cold cereals.
Frozen Food Month: Ice Cream, Frozen Vegetables (Boxed, Bag, or Steam), Frozen Meals, Foster Farms Chicken, Waffles, Pizza
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Haas Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine
April
April is Easter so you’ll find good deals on eggs. And after Easter, you’ll find clearance sales on egg dying kits, baskets, and decorations.
Earth Day is April 22. Look for deals on organic foods, reusable water bottles, and reusable totes.
Easter: Ham, Eggs, Spices, Baking Supplies: Sugar, Spices, Baking Mixes, Chocolate Chips, Butter, Coconut, Marshmallows, Brownie Mix, Cake Mix
Earth Day: Organic Foods, Energy Saver, Reusable Totes
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Haas Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb
Clearance: After Easter sales
May
May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. Things to look out for on sale are chips, salsa, tortillas, etc.
The month of May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. You’ll find gluten-free foods on sale.
At the end of the month is Memorial Day. Look for sales on BBQ sauce, condiments, chips, hot dogs, and more.
Print what’s on sale for May only here.
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Memorial Day: BBQ Sauce, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips, Grilling Meats, Hot Dogs, Hamburger Meat, Marinade, Salad Greens
Paper Products: Plates, Utensils, Insect Repellant, Sunscreen
Cinco De Mayo: Salsa, tortillas
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Peas, New Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries
June
June is National Dairy Month. And you guessed it – there will be sales on milk, ice cream, yogurt, and more.
Since the end of June is close to the 4th of July, you’ll see sales on BBQ stuff like hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sauce, chips, and more.
Print what’s on sale for June only here.
National Dairy Month: Eggs, Milk, Ice Cream, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Butter, Yogurt, Whipping Cream, Whipped Cream, Cool Whip
End of June is Fourth of July Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
Seasonal Produce: Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon
July
July is National Ice Cream month. But do we need another excuse to eat ice cream? They go on sale during this month!
Of course, look out for more sales on 4th of July BBQ items.
Also, this is the time to stock up for Back-to-School supplies, like crayons, pencils, folders, notebooks, and more.
National Ice Cream Month
More 4th of July BBQ Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
End of July: Back to School Sales Begin: Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Seasonal Produce: Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Beans, Green, Blueberries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Valencia Oranges, Peaches, Sweet/Bell Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon
August
Back-to-School sales are still in full effect. And you’ll also find clearance sales on summer supplies like sunscreen and bug spray.
Back to School: Pudding cups, Lunch meat, Lunchables, Bread, Cold Cereal, Waffles, Lunchboxes
Disinfectant: Clorox, Purell
Clearance: Insect Repellant, Sunscreen, Charcoal
Seasonal Produce: Gravenstein Apple, Haas Avocado, Green Beans, Beans, Berries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Bartlett Pears, Bell Pepper, Plums, Raspberries, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomato
September
Labor Day is another popular time to BBQ. Look out for sales on hot dogs, chips, and other BBQ items. Back-to-School sales continue through Labor Day.
Also, Diabetes supplies go on sale as well as major baby equipment and baby safety items.
Back to School Sales through Labor Day: Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Diabetes: Bayer Glucose Meters, Glucerna Cereal
Seasonal Produce: Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Valencia Orange, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Pomegranate, Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Winter Squash
Baby Items: Major Baby Equipment, Baby Safety
October
October is National Seafood Month which means seafood goes on sale. Look out for deals on shrimp, clam, salmon, tuna, and more.
It’s also Halloween! Things on sale include candy, fresh pumpkin, baking chips, and canned pumpkin.
Halloween: Candy, Fresh Pumpkin
Beginning of the Baking Sales: Canned pumpkin, Evaporated Milk, Baking Chips
Daylight Savings Time Ends Promotions: Alarm Clocks, Batteries, Safety Equipment, Smoke Detectors
National Seafood Month
Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Pedigree, Purina
Seasonal Produce: Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Winter, Turnips, Yams
November
November is Thanksgiving. You’ll find lots of baking products on sale, like chocolate chips, nuts, cake mixes, etc.
Also, since the beginning of November is right after Halloween, you’ll find Halloween items on sale.
Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
Baking Sales in Full Swing: Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut, Cake Mixes
Canned foods: Soup, Broth, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Thanksgiving Items: Turkey, Canned Pumpkin, Stovetop Stuffing, Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice Pears, Cranberries, Kiwi, Lemons, Orange, Potato, Squash, Yams
Clearance: After Halloween Sales
December
December is Christmas. And this is when egg nog comes out and you’ll find sales on baking products, marshmallows, and canned foods.
Holiday Dinner: Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows. Sour Cream Dips, Crackers, Chips, Soda, Ham
Baking: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix, Muffin Mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream
Canned Foods: Soup, Broth, Condensed Milk, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Bok Choy, Bosc Pears, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Dates, Grapefruit, Haas Avocados, Kale, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Napa Cabbage, Oranges, Sweet Potatoes, Red Cabbage, Rutabaga, Savoy Cabbage, Spinach, Winter Squash, Yams, Turnips, White Potato
Clearance: After Thanksgiving and After Christmas Sales
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- How to Use a Grocery Price Book
- When do summer clothes go on sale?
14 Comments on Save Big with Grocery Sales Cycles!
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Thanks so much for sharing this information. I will print this list out, it is so valuable!
Glad you could use it!
This is extremely helpful. I’ve always wondered, though, if things like this (extreme couponing, sale cycles, etc) apply to wholesale clubs like Costco.
Super Bowl Sunday is in February
Corned Beef also goes on sale the day after St Patrick’s Day…. You can buy 3-4 for the same price as 1-2, freeze them and cook them up on special occasions.
great info!
Any info for us Canadians?…lol:)
I guess I have a lot of Canadian readers. =) Do the produce sales, like what’s in season, match up? Just wondering.
Fanny
Hi Kelly, the sales are for every year.
Fanny
It’s always nice to know the cycles so we can spend our money wisely. I’m sure 2013 will see our grocery budget go up but we’ll keep on saving and budgeting using coupons, flyer deals and playing the grocery game challenge on my blog. We’ve actually added in a category “stockpiling” it’s not big but enough to stock up when the cycles hit with products we can get for less. Thanks for the list. Mr.CBB
I assume this is not world-wide… where does this apply? The info would be awesome to have!
Hi Melissa,
This is for the US.
Fanny