Where To Get The Best Labor Day Discounts In Northern VA

Most major retailers are open on Labor Day, and the better discounts tend to be on mattresses, appliances, patio furniture and other summer merchandise stores want to clear out before fall.

The notable exception is Costco, whose warehouse stores in Northern Virginia and across the country are closed on Monday, Sept. 7, for the holiday. But expect hardware and home improvement chains to be open, hoping to lure people with the day off into their stores.

Hours at locally owned stores, restaurants and other small businesses may be less predictable. Independent businesses set their own holiday schedules, so some may close for Labor Day or operate on reduced hours. It’s worth checking before heading out.

Most shopping malls are open on Labor Day, although some operate on reduced holiday hours, and tenants may set their own schedules.

Several major shopping centers in the region will be open for their usual hours during the weekend, though all warn that individual stores might set different hours. Area malls that will be open and are advertising deals include:

• Tysons Corner Center: Many, if not all, of this regional sales stalwart’s more than 300 brands are offering holiday deals. See details on specific sales in the mall here. Tysons Corner Center is located at 1961 Chain Bridge Rd. in Tysons, VA.

• Fair Oaks Mall: Holiday discounts are being advertised at several of this Fairfax shopping center’s more than 200 stores. Find more details on specific sales here. Fair Oaks Mall is located at 11750 Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax.

• Potomac Mills: Many of the more than 200 stores at Virginia’s largest outlet mall are advertising holiday discounts. Find specific details on Labor Day and other sales here. Potomac Mills Mall is located at 2700 Potomac Mills Circle in Woodbridge.

• Fashion Center at Pentagon City: This Arlington mall boasts more than 150 stores and restaurants, many of which are promising holiday deals, including the lowest prices of the season. See details on individual store sales here. The Fashion Center at Pentagon City is located 1100 S. Hayes St. in Arlington.

• Leesburg Premium Outlets: This Leesburg outlet center will be open during its usual hours over the holiday, with deals advertised at many of its more than 100 name-brand outlet stores. See more about sales at individual stores here. Leesburg Premium Outlets are located at 241 Fort Evans Rd. NE in Leesburg.

Discounts Matter More Now

For households already watching every dollar, Labor Day discounts may carry a little more weight this year. The Federal Reserve said in July that lower- and middle-income consumers were increasingly trading down, buying less and cutting back on discretionary purchases as prices continued to rise.

The Fed’s Richmond district office says the regional economy expanded moderately this cycle, as consumer spending continued to grow despite shifts in consumer behavior, even among higher-income consumers. “Business activity was generally reported as modestly growing, and employment grew modestly as well. Manufacturing output also increased modestly while producer prices were little changed despite rising input costs. Overall price growth remained moderate,” the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reported.

In August, the central bank said tariffs are showing up in household budgets in a pretty simple way: People are paying more and buying less.

Spending on goods affected by tariffs fell by roughly three times as much as their prices rose, largely because consumers cut back on nonessential purchases. Lower-income households were hit hardest by higher prices, while middle-income households did more of the cutting back on discretionary spending. Across income levels, worried consumers were also more likely to trade down to cheaper products when buying necessities.

Best Labor Day Sales

Labor Day weekend is traditionally among the best times to buy a mattress or other bedding. Labor Day discounts can run about 5 percent or 10 percent better than ordinary promotional prices, according to Consumer Reports.

Also, the publication said major appliances are routinely marked down in Labor Day weekend sales, and it’s a good time to pick up gardening tools, patio furniture and grills.

Apparel stores are offering big markdowns in end-of-season clearance sales on shorts, swimwear and other warm-weather clothing. Consumers may also find some back-to-school deals on fall apparel.

Consumer Reports said that even though laptops and other electronics may be advertised as on sale, deeper discounts will likely be found on Black Friday, Cyber Monday or during major e-commerce deal days.