Austin, Texas – Each year, Memorial Day brings the unofficial kickoff to summer, and for consumers it also brings the expectation of savings.
Retail deals for the holiday are often thought to be large ticket items like furniture and electronics, but data from RetailMeNot shows consumers at all price points are looking to score. More than half of U.S consumers (54 percent) say they plan to shop Memorial Day sales – a substantial jump from last year’s 36 percent.
And while more consumers plan to shop, they aren’t spending the same amounts as before. Consumers are budgeting $86 on average to spend on deals. That’s a 70 percent decline from last year, which saw the average budget around $289.
But what are they looking for this year? Consumers are definitely keeping the summer season in mind, with the top category being grills or outdoor cooking gear (28 percent), followed by summer apparel (27 percent) and home goods or décor (21 percent).
Preparation for summer activities and gatherings is also on the list as consumer look for pool or beach gear (18 percent); patio décor or outdoor accessories (16 percent); sports and outdoor rec gear (16 percent); and outdoor furniture (15 percent).
While they aren’t on everyone’s list, those larger purchases are still plenty relevant. In fact, two-thirds of consumers say they are likely to wait for Memorial Day sales before purchasing big-ticket items. Those willing to spend the cash will focus on electronics (18 percent); new appliances (14 percent); large furniture (12 percent); and mattresses (10 percent).
More than 1,000 U.S. adults were surveyed in March 2026 as part of the RetailMeNot Group Q2 Survey.
