Where To Get The Best Labor Day Discounts In IL

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 the Chicagoland area and nationwide are closed 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.

• The Shops at North Bridge, in Chicago's Loop, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Water Tower Place, in Chicago's Loop, will be open from noon to 6 p.m.
• Woodfield Mall, in Schaumburg, will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Old Orchard Mall, in Skokie, will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Oakbrook Court will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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.

In the Fed's Chicago district office, manufacturing demand and employment rose moderately, while spending, construction and real estate activity, and nonbusiness contracts increased slightly. As prices rose moderately, so did wages; although, farm income expectations for the year edged down.

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.