Your calendar of sales for 2016

Making the most of sale periods can have a huge impact on how much you spend on big-ticket items such as televisions and sofas.

Kitting yourself out with a new wardrobe can also cost a fraction of the price if you wait until the sales. But just when are the main sale periods? Let's find out...
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January
Retailers such as John Lewis celebrate the start of the year with New Year's Day sales. Many shops continue these throughout the month; while the most sought-after bargains are often snapped up in the first few days, discounts tend to get bigger and bigger as the weeks go by.

Sales still worth a look this month include Burton Menswear and Topman, currently both at 70% off, and Guess and Firetrap, where the discounts available are up to 60%.

March
Good Friday and Easter Monday (both of which fall in March this year) are a regular fixture on the sales calendar.

Offering discounts at this time of year gives chains a chance to sell off some of their unsold winter stock.

Retailers that regularly hold Easter sales include Gap, Marks and Spencer and Debenhams.

May
The May Bank Holiday weekends - one at the start of the month, the other at the end - are a time when many retailers offer deals and discounts.

Last year, Asda, John Lewis and Tesco were among the chains handing out special bank holiday discounts on everything from furniture to fashion.

June
Many retailers start their summer sales in June. Last year, for example, Selfridges and Topshop started discounting items in June.

Exact start dates depend on a number of factors, including the weather and the general trading conditions.

July
Summer sales continue into July, with some retailers only just starting and others winding down.

Last year, Harrods started its summer sale on June 27, while Next discounts became available on July 18.

The final reductions of the summer sales may even go on into August, and are worth taking advantage of as there are few sales in September and October.

November
Not long ago, the main November sales were simply called the Autumn sales. Now, though, we have Black Friday.

A US import, Black Friday falls on the fourth Friday of November and can result in huge reductions.

Many of the best deals can be found online, where retailers worth checking out for Black Friday deals include Amazon, Currys and Argos.

December
Boxing Day sales start on December 26, offering the chance to pick up some post-Christmas bargains.

Look out too for the odd pre-Christmas sale, run when stores are concerned that shoppers are not spending enough on presents and other festive goodies.