Memorial Day sales 2018: What to expect

While Memorial Day commemorates fallen military men and women, it has also come to symbolically mark the start of summer. Relatedly, it's also one of the biggest shopping weekends, with Memorial Day sales being some of the most popular retail events of the year. As with other big shopping days, you'll see just about everything on sale, from clothing to appliances and everything in between.

When it comes to consumer tech, the best deals will be on older models as stores begin to make a concerted effort to clear out old stock in time for the winter holidays. If you don't mind last year's televisions or laptops, you could score a good deal.

The best deals, though, will be on appliances, specifically things for the kitchen. It's the best time of the year to buy a new refrigerator, as well as small appliances. Department stores and home improvement stores like Home Depot, who had discounts of up to 50% off last year, will offer some of the best prices of the weekend.

When will Memorial Day sales begin?

This year Memorial Day falls on May 28, but that doesn't mean you'll have to wait until to shop Memorial Day sales. Unlike Black Friday, stores will unveil their deals days — if not weeks — before the actual holiday. The holiday weekend begins two days earlier on May 26, but judging from past years, we may see Memorial Day sales start as early as the second week of May.