BAGGING a bargain isn’t just about knowing where to shop – timing is just as important.
August is one of the most important shopping months because prices for lots of items like games consoles and back to school essentials, drop to their lowest. Here’s our helpful guide to find out what to buy now to bag a bargain.
These are the best things to buy in August to save more than £300
Filling your basket in August can mean big savings, if you know what to buy Credit: Getty
Few things are more annoying than making a purchase one day only to see the price drop the next and knowing you could have saved money.
Retailers vary the prices of their goods across the year so they make the most of spikes in demand – such as at Christmas.
But this means that there are also times when items are cheaper, and present a money-saving opportunity for savvy shoppers.
Katy Phillips, senior brand and communications manager at idealo comments: “I’d always recommend shoppers to keep their eye on price fluctuations by setting up price alerts and tracking the price history of products shoppers know they’ll need.
“Comparing prices like this makes it much easier to tell whether discounts are actually worthwhile, helping Brits avoid paying more than they need to.”
We’ve taken a look at the data so you can be tactical about your spending this month and save over £300.
However, before you part with your cash, check comparison sites like Google Shopping, Price Spy and Idealo to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
School bags and backpacks
August is the best month to bag a bargain on a school bag Credit: Alamy
Back to school is just around the corner – but don’t panic if you’ve left it until the last minute to get your little one a new school bag.
Backpacks are actually the cheapest they’ll be all year in August, according to shopping experts.
Comparison site PriceRunner says they cost around £37 on average, compared with £59 in October when they are most expensive – a £22 (37 per cent) saving.
For example, right now you can get an Adidas backpack in Decathlon for £14.99, reduced from £24.99 (40 per cent off).
Katy says prices tend to be cheaper now due to the back-to-school demand, where retailers are competing for customers by introducing sales and discounts.
The same goes for suitcases. Katy says you can save £5 (three per cent) buying these in August when they cost £152 on average, as stores look to clear their stock after the busy summer travel season.
And some retailers have even better deals than this right now.
Dunelm, for example, has knocked £10.50 off its Elements Hard Shell Suitcase, reduced from £35 to £24.50.
Jattvibeglasses
Summer might be over but it’s not too late to get a great deal on sunglasses Credit: Getty
Spotted the perfect pair of designer sunnies but worried you’ll be paying a fortune for them in peak summer?
Surprisingly, August is actually the best time to buy your shades – likely because of discounts in end-of-season sales.
You can save up to 20 per cent buying them now, instead of in December, when they are most expensive, according to PriceRunner.
They typically cost £141 in August but £176 in December – a £35 saving.
Last year, they were even 24 per cent cheaper in August than during Black Friday, the comparison site said.
It’s not just designer sunglasses that you can get a bargain on – there are great high street deals too.
Oliver Bonas has slashed the price of its sunnies by more than 50% this month – such as its Crystal Green Square Jattvibeglasses, which were £26 and are now just £12.
Airfryers
There’s no better time than August to grab an airfryer Credit: Getty
If you’re looking to level up your home-cooking, there’s no better time than now to grab an airfryer.
This is again likely due to end-of-summer sales, as well as retailers offering promotions to entice university students who are getting ready to move out.
PriceRunner says they cost £128 on average in August, compared with £178 when they’re at their most pricey in February.
That’s a saving of around £50 (29 per cent).
Asda is currently selling the Scoville Black 9l Dual Basket Air Fryer for £40, down from £79.
Jackets
Don’t wait until winter to buy a jacket – nab one now for a saving Credit: Getty
It might feel odd thinking about your winter wardrobe when it’s been one of the hottest summers on record.
But now is the time you’ll get the best bargains on jackets, according to PriceRunner.
It found prices are around £112 on average across all retailers in August, compared to £148 in December – a saving of £36 (25 per cent).
This is thanks to bargains in the summer sales before retailers bring out their autumn/winter collections.
However, if you want a heavy winter jacket, these will likely be harder to find this time of year.
Next is selling a Black Shower Resistant Padded Longline Coat, great for the upcoming winter, for £39 down from £98.
Tents
The price of tents get slashes in the end of summer sales Credit: Getty
August is by far the cheapest month to buy a tent – mainly thanks to prices being slashed in end-of-season sales.
Prices this month are £193 on average, PriceRunner says, compared with £293 in February, when they are at their most expensive.
That’s a saving of £100 (around 34 per cent) – and also far cheaper than Black Friday when they are £266 on average.
B&Q is selling a Coleman Darwin Summer Beige Dome 3-man Tent for £25, down from £80.
Tablets and game consoles
There are good savings to be found on tablets and games consoles in August Credit: Getty
No need to wait for the Black Friday sales if you’ve got your eye on a tablet – they’re the same price now.
Ipads and similar tablets are £299 on average, PriceRunner found, but go up to £352 in February – a £53 (15 per cent) saving.
There are also some savings to be had on games consoles in August, according to Idealo.
They cost £239 on average now – £16 (six per cent) less than in February when they cost £255.
This is because they’re not normally high on shoppers’ lists, so retailers may offer stronger promotions.
Argos is selling a Lenovo Idea Tab 11 Inch 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet + Tab Pen for £189.99, down from £209.99.
Christmas decorations
Get your Christmas decorations early to save some cash
Most of us baulk at the sight of Christmas decorations while it’s still sunny outside.
But if you want to save a pretty penny, now’s the time to be putting them in your trolley.
According to Idealo, shoppers can save around £21 (32 per cent) on Christmas decorations by buying in August instead of at the last minute in December.
Decor costs £65 on average this month compared to £85 in December.
Katy says: “If you wait until December to buy Christmas decorations, you’ll usually be shopping at the point demand is at its highest.
“By getting ahead of this in August when most festive products aren’t yet front of mind is a simple way of saving money in the long run, with retailers not yet trying to capitalise on the Christmas rush.”
What to AVOID buying in August
Buy the wrong product in August and you could find yourself out of pocket as prices can be higher than usual. Credit: Getty
There are certain items you should avoid buying or you’ll end up paying over the odds.
If you’ve been eyeing up some nice new garden furniture, consider holding out until September or October to buy it.
PriceRunner says that between April and August are when prices are highest – £197 on average – but go down to £108 in the autumn.
Looking to upgrade your iPhone? Hang on until the end of September or October – this is when retailers drop their prices on last year’s model after the new one launches.
USwitch mobiles expert Jez Samuel says you could save at least £46 by waiting.
“In the run-up to the iPhone 17 launching in September 2025, the cheapest annual cost of an iPhone 16 on a 24-month contract averaged £325.49.“Within a month of launch, that had dropped to £279.20, a saving of £46.29. Prices kept sliding gradually through October as retailers cleared stock, so the saving builds the longer you’re willing to wait,” he said.
While school bags are cheapest this month, August is peak period for school uniforms – and when prices are highest.
July is when you’ll find the best bundle deals and save up to 40 per cent – something to bear in mind for next year.
