Why stores have sales

In the end, a deal is a good deal if we pay less than we expected to. This can have long-term impacts on perceptions about the product, brand and store. And that, in turn, has knock-on effects such as reducing the reference price for other products.

Portsmouth Climate Festival — Portsmouth, Portsmouth. Edition: Available editions United Kingdom. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in. Nicolas Pontes , Queensland University of Technology. Pricing discounting Sales behavioural research. Businesses usually use tools like computer programs and barcode scanners to figure out what items they have in stock and how much they need to order.

This experience can have a lot of different little parts, such as how the items look on the shelf to you or how friendly the cashier is to you as you pay. Sales can get you in the door to see what the business can do in all these areas. So companies have sales in part to build a relationship with you, get you to see them in a positive way and encourage you to make more purchases.

The result is perfectly usable prior-year models for which you would have paid full price only a few months ago. While winter weddings are most popular in February especially around Valentine's Day in January you often find great bargains at wedding gown shops and wedding halls which are all primed and ready to cut you a special deal during one of the slowest wedding months of the year.

Also look for great savings on carpet this month, a traditionally slow time due to sloppy winter weather for purchases on any type of new floor covering.

FEBRUARY: With seasonal discounts on jewelry and gift sets of perfume and cologne during hot Valentine's Day sales , a lso look for great deals on everything from clothing to flat screen TV's and laptops later in the month during annual President's Day sales.

Don't overlook similar bargains on bigger ticket items like refrigerators, washing machines, and other major appliances this month. Speaking of major purchases, also watch for fantastic deals on new cars, when dealerships traditionally use Presidents Day weekend to clear out their inventory by drastically dropping prices.

Those who have been hit with an early spring travel bug will also find cheap airfares and travel bargains waiting at online travel agents offering great prices on quick winter getaways. MARCH: As spring arrives, there are great buys on winter coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, winter boots, and other cold weather gear.

At annual Easter sales , also look for department store savings on kids clothes, women's fashions, as well as men's suits, shirts and ties as stores push the first of a new batch of warm weather clothing. From now until May, also continue to keep looking for travel bargains before the summer travel season kicks in.

APRIL: Used cars are the big focus this month, so if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the newer, higher priced models now is the time to enjoy even great savings as used car lots clear their inventory for the warmer weather buying season ahead.

For the same reason, also look for huge sales on auto parts and accessories. Graduation season is just around the corner, as well, so keep your sights set on sales of laptops, cookware sets and dorm room kitchen essentials. Finally, April is also the time for great deals on vacuum cleaners as inventory clearances make way for brand new models coming out in June. MAY: May is mattress month as stores make room for newer models.

The sames goes for home appliances like washing machines and dryers -- at stores like Lowes and Home Depot -- who want to clear inventory for newer models coming out in June. Toward the end of the month, traditional Memorial Day sales begin on Friday and last throughout the first official weekend of the summer. If you've been putting off major purchases on electronics, laptops , flat screen TVs , Memorial Day is the time to pounce at Dell, Best Buy, and other top electronics retailers.

Memorial Day sales are also a great way to get a head start on smart Father's Day gift shopping or last minute graduation gifts.

JUNE: As Father's Day draws near, expect hardware stores and mega-centers like Home Depot to offer big Father's Day sales on hand tools ranging from rachet sets to cordless power tools , drills and sanders.

June is also prime wedding season, so also check out the housewares section at your favorite department store to find great savings on dish sets, cooking utensils and other gifts for the home cook. If you've been putting off getting in shape, June is the month to finally buy a home treadmill as more people head outdoors to exercise in the warmer weather.