Probably the best advice for shopping in October this year is to compare prices on what’s on your list for upcoming purchases and decide if you want to buy it in October or guess that you could get a better Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal.
But then, Black Friday has started to stretch into the middle of October instead of sticking to November so begin looking for deals then.
In addition, October brings Prime Big Days Oct. 6 to 7 for Amazon Prime members. Look for deals in the beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home categories.
Target’s Circle Deal Days are also Oct. 6 to 7. Walmart is offering “deals and more” Oct. 5 to 11.
Here are some tips on what to buy in October 2026 from DealNews.com:
Halloween items
Of course, October is going to be one of the best times to buy Halloween items. Watch for deals on all the favorites – costumes, candy, and decorations.
Grills and outdoor furniture
Deals on grills surface around Labor Day, but there should be some in October, too. Another summer item, outdoor furniture, will also be discounted.
Plants
If you enjoy gardening, get ready to stock up on perennials. In October, many nurseries and home improvement stores try to clear out inventory of these items. If you want flowers for spring, consider looking for bulbs, too.
Tacos, desserts, and pasta
National Taco Day is Oct. 4, National Dessert Day is on Oct. 14, and National Pasta Day is Oct. 17. Look for tacos deals from restaurants and special promotions from your favorite supermarket. Supermarkets may also offer deals on desserts and pasta.
Camping gear
Some people are happy to camp all year, but gear for camping is usually most popular during the warmer months. Because of that, October tends to be a good time to find savings on all kinds of gear for the great outdoors.
Lawn mowers
Once cooler weather sets in, lawn mowers aren’t as necessary as they are during the summer. So if you need a new one, it may be a good time to shop.
Snow tools
Winter is coming, and retailers know that shoppers will be looking for deals to cope with stormy conditions coming up.
New cars
October is about the time when dealerships start getting vehicles for the upcoming year and try to sell off older models. Check out the cars most likely to have deals before you start shopping. Those that are slow to sell will probably allow for more negotiating power – just make sure you aren’t sacrificing quality to save some money.
What not to buy in October
November is a better time to buy TVs, iPhone 15 devices, laptops, electronics, and winter clothing.
For gift cards, wait until December.
Happy October and happy Halloween. We’ll have some fun before winter sets in.
