Seasonal shopping isn't just about catching a good bargain - it's about timing. When you buy items off-season, you often pay significantly less. Retailers need to make space for fresh stock, and demand is lower. That combination drives huge markdowns on items like winter clothing in spring or home goods at season’s end. You also avoid the stress - and overspending - that strikes when shopping last minute during high-demand periods.
The financial benefit? You stretch your budget further, get better quality for less, and reduce impulse buys. And with your RCS Store Card – not only do you gain access to over 30,000 retailers, but the opportunity to pay off your purchases in affordable monthly instalments, thus avoiding financial strain, and still seizing real value deals.
Let’s use spring as our seasonal lens - planning ahead in September sets you up for savings before wintertime rolls around again. Think bulky sweaters, heaters, or blankets - buying them now at clearance rates beats buying at full price when chilly weather arrives next year.
Of course, seasonal shopping is certainly a little more difficult. By the end of a particular season, it can often be trickier to find popular models of certain items, while clothing ranges are likely to be scattered and sizes often unavailable. However, the extra effort is certainly worth it, as major retailers may be out of stock at one branch, but have exactly what you need online (or at a branch a little further away from you.
Seasonal shopping simply requires a little determination and some extra research.
When you couple your seasonal shopping exploits with specific seasonal promotions, you will find the ideal sweet spot to stretch your shopping budget.
Here are some promos that you should keep your eyes on over the course of the year:
1. Halfway Day (June): Mid-Year Blowout
Swinging in every June, Halfway Day marks six months into the year - an event where various major retailers all participate with up to 50% off across a range of products, from air fryers and fridges to DIY supplies and groceries.
Why it matters: This is the perfect moment to buy big-ticket items headed for heavy markdowns - think winter heaters, bedding, or electronics. Charge them to your RCS card now, and pay them off, giving you breathing room into your next pay cycle.
2. “More 4 Less” Campaigns (August to October)
Game runs a “More 4 Less” campaign from 1 August through 31 October 2025, offering wide-ranging discounts on electronics, appliances, and home goods.
Makro runs similar seasonal specials in that timeframe, covering everything from mattresses to generators, laptops, food items, and appliances.
How to use it: This is a perfect opportunity to upgrade your home or tech, grab school supplies early, or stock up on non-perishables - all while stretching your budget with your RCS payment flexibility.
3. Spring Deals (Retailer Specific)
Retailers like Pick n Pay and Shoprite, will often have major event specials. These types of annual events generally come with a wide range of specials for you to take advantage of. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the catalogue pages for each store on a regular basis.
How to use it: Although you may find some excellent deals on seasonal items, they are also excellent for stocking up on items like canned foods, cleaning agents and a whole lot more which can have a positive impact on your budget for months ahead..
4. Game’s End-of-Season Clearance (Late August–September)
Game’s catalogues indicate an end-of-season clearance running from 26 August through 30 September 2025, offering markdowns on clothing, electronics, and seasonal gear.
That means you can snag winter-end bargains—like a gas heater - just before spring arrives, locking in low prices on items that’ll still be useful for a while.
5. Festive Season Events (Black Friday & Christmas)
Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is set to deliver massive savings once again -especially on big appliances, electronics, and entertainment systems Remember to keep an eye on Koodoo for excellent gaming deals, or head to Incredible Connection or HiFi Corp for top deals on TVs, sound systems and a lot more..
Similarly, you can find an array of festive deals throughout the Christmas season – often featuring seasonal items at a decent discount.
6. In-Store Events & Open Days
Make sure you keep a lookout for shop-specific savings days. For example, Builders Express recently ran an in-person “open day” event, and a similar event is scheduled for 6 September 2025 at the PMB Armitage store.
These aren’t always deep discounts—but they’re meaningful for seasonal refreshes. Think foliage, décor, and paint - all tools for welcoming spring with freshness.
All of these offers are clear opportunities: Use your RCS Store Card to buy when the deals come, even if your actual cash flow aligns with a later date. That’s a smart seasonal strategy.
A Smooth Journey from Shopping Now to Saving Later
Here’s how to convert seasonal awareness into real financial gain:
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Watch patterns: Historical events like Halfway Day signal when to expect deals. Spring clearance doesn’t always have a label—but its window exists.
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Hunt off-season essentials: Think heaters, blankets, sweaters in spring/summer; garden tools in autumn. Tagged-down winter gear in the summer/spring. Outdoor gear and pool items in winter.
Seasonal foresight helps avoid inflated prices later. You dodge impulse spending during cold snaps - and build financial discipline. Over time, these small strategic shifts snowball into meaningful savings.
With the buying flexibility of your RCS Store Card tied into a behaviour of shopping off-season, you're empowered by shopping, no matter the season.
