Walmart and 5 Other Retailers With the Worst Summer Deals, According to Shoppers

We’re in the midst of summer. The days are long, the nights are warm and we spend as much time outside as possible.

We also look for ways to save money on the goods that make summertime special, such as backyard barbecue supplies, patio furniture and seasonal clothing.

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Unfortunately, some of our favorite retailers aren’t running the sales we want to see.

GOBankingRates spoke with several shoppers about the worst summer deals at Walmart and other popular stores. Keep reading to see what these consumers are — and aren’t — buying from these retail giants .

Walmart

The worst deal(s): Warm-weather clothing. “When it comes to getting deals on clothes, I don’t shop at Walmart or Amazon. The best deals come from Asian retailers like Shein and Temu,” said April Ondis, marketing expert and Florida resident.

What to buy instead: Beach day supplies. “[Walmart offers] beach chairs starting at $15, sun hats for $5, and beach towels and sunscreen for less than $3 each,” said Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of The Money Manual .

A mom of three, Sarah Spulecki Martin visits the retailer for canning supplies. “I love to make jams, jellies and pickles from fresh produce from local farms. Walmart has everything I need in one place,” she said.

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Amazon

The worst deal(s): Amazon Prime Day specials. “I have personally noticed that Amazon Prime Day products increase in cost before going on sale, meaning sometimes it is better to buy outside of the sale (at a lower price point),” said Nicole Rosen, enrolled agent and founder of Boundless Advisors .

What to buy instead: Goods that are actually on sale. “I like to use the Honey [browser] extension to look at the price history of an item first to see if it’s a true discount,” said Catherine Collins, founder of Mom’s Got Money .

Target

The worst deal(s): Indoor furniture. “Any deals Target usually offers at this time are on the more expensive items,” said Joanie Demer, co-founder and co-CEO of The Krazy Coupon Lady .

What to buy instead: Cat & Jack kid’s clothing. “The one-year guarantee is unbeatable for parents,” Demer said.

Demer suggested hitting the clearance aisle for heavily discounted patio furniture and toys. “Check your store for yellow clearance tags with toys up to 50%-70% off,” Demer said.

Trader Joe’s

The worst deal(s): Out-of-season produce. “I won’t buy apples or pears in the summer since they are not in season,” said Jennifer Baker-Asiddao, consultant and long-time Trader Joe’s shopper.

What to buy instead: Seasonal produce, pantry staples and new products. “I like Trader Joe’s for ingredients that make easy weeknight meals for my family and delicious items for creating charcuterie boards and appetizers for entertaining,” Baker-Asiddao said.

Aldi

The worst deal(s): Festive goods. Spulecki Martin said she won’t buy summer party food or supplies from the grocer.

What to buy instead: Items for the kids. “I like that their store-brand snacks are free of artificial colors and flavors,” Spulecki Martin said.

The busy mom also turns to Aldi for pool and yard toys. “[They keep] my kids entertained and don’t break my budget,” she said.

Your Local Grocer

The worst deal(s): Nearly all of them. “The price of [pretty much] everything is sky-high,” Ondis said.

What to buy instead: It depends on the grocery store. Spulecki Martin is an enthusiastic Aldi shopper for most items.

“Aldi has great prices on fresh in-season produce, and meats and seafood for the grill. This, combined with their year-round budget-friendly everyday grocery staples, makes Aldi my go-to grocery store for the summer,” she said.

So Where Should You Shop?

The short answer is that it depends. It’s wise to create a custom shopping plan that will result in the most savings (and fun) for your family this summer.

Maybe you buy most of your seasonal supplies at Walmart and fill in the gaps by ordering items on Amazon. Perhaps you keep tabs on sales at several retailers and buy from multiple establishments each week.

Whatever strategy you choose, technology can help you save time and money. Ask ChatGPT to find the best deals on hotel stays, clothing, electronics, appliances and more. You can also download apps to take a vacation for less .

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Walmart and 5 Other Retailers With the Worst Summer Deals, According to Shoppers