While I love a good liquidation sale, I do NOT love saying goodbye to my favorite stores forever. That’s why opening sales are so much more fun.
And after a year of a LOT of bad news for retailers, it looks like we’re finally starting to get some good news in 2021.
According to retail industry research firm Coresight, national retail chains are planning 3,199 store openings this year, compared to 2,548 closures. That’s a big change, down from nearly 9,000 closures in 2020 (and only about 3,300 openings).
Here are the stores where you will find some grand opening sales this year:
Aerie Opening Sales
The news: Popular loungewear/lingerie brand Aerie is going to open 60 new stores this year.
The sale: Look for Aerie to offer $15 gift cards to the first customers in line the first two days of grand opening. Expect deals like 30 – 60% off the Aerie Collection, all bras and bralettes 30 – 40% off, and 7 undies for $29.
Burlington Opening Sales
The news: Discount department stores like Burlington have been thriving during the pandemic. Remember when they were part of the epic reopening sale craze? The chain formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory is planning to open 100 new stores. (They’re closing or relocating 25 stores.)
The sale: Nothing special about openings as far as we can tell, but the whole store is a sale, offering deeply discounted name-brand items. And you can always make your own sale with discounted Burlington gift cards from Raise.
Also: When a new store opens, get there bright and early. The ribbon cutting ceremonies happen on a Friday at 7:45 AM, and immediately after, the first 100 customers (18 years or older) receive a $5 Burlington gift card, no purchase necessary. On Saturday, customers receive free swag like a Burlington umbrella, while supplies last, no purchase necessary.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
The news: Dick’s Sporting Goods is opening new stores just about every month in 2021, with one new store opening in February, and four more planned for March.
The sale: New Dick’s Sporting Goods locations host grand opening ceremonies and sales the first weekend they’re open. Information is scarce about exactly what those sales look like, but you could always create your own sale with these Dick’s store hacks.
Also: Dick’s has opened five of their discounted Warehouse Sales locations, with deep discounts on customer-favorite footwear and apparel brands with hundreds of items 70% off or more.
RELATED: Dick’s Sporting Goods Has Opened Clearance Stores
Five Below Opening Sales
The news: Discount store Five Below will open 170 – 180 new stores this year, with most of those opening before July. Check out the Coming Soon page to see if there’s a store opening near you.
The sale: Five Below is basically like a dollar store, except everything is $5 or less. The sale is built in.
Also: If you happen to make it to an opening day, get there early; the first 100 people in line get a mystery scratch-off ticket that could be worth up to $100 in Five Below credit. They also give away Five Below swag.
Old Navy/Athleta Opening Sales
The news: Look out for 30 – 40 Old Navy stores and 20 – 30 Athleta stores opening in 2021.
The sale: Customers get a coupon for $15 off a purchase of $50 or more. There’s also grand opening sale pricing, but specifics on that are light, and may vary by store.
Also: They offer freebies like $10 gift cards to early birds in line, fitness classes, and raffle prizes on opening weekends.
RELATED: 22 Proven Ways to Save at Old Navy
Sephora Opening Sales
The news: More than 60 Sephora stores will open in 2021, and most of them won’t be in malls. That doesn’t even include the 200 or so mini-locations opening inside Kohl’s. Check out the Store Events page to see where openings are happening, and when.
The sale: If one of those 60 stores is in your area, count on giveaways the first weekend, and members of the free Beauty Insider rewards program get a complimentary Sephora Limited Edition Tote Bag with any $100 in-store purchase.
RELATED: Retailers Are Opening Stores Within Stores
TJMaxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods Opening Sales
The news: TJX, the parent company of TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, will have nearly 4,700 locations by the end of the year, after they add 122 stores.
The sale: Nothing special about openings as far as we can tell, but the whole store is a sale, offering deeply discounted name-brand items.
Also: Browse the list of current grand openings at TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods.
RELATED: 23 Freaking Amazing Ways to Save at T.J.Maxx
Ulta Opening Sales
The news: Ulta is planning to open 100 stores every year over the next five years, and although they’re closing some stores, by the end of 2021 they’ll still be 40 stores bigger than they were in 2020.
The sale: Whenever Ulta opens a new store, guests can enjoy 20% off in stores, and first-time salon guests will receive 25% off. Check out the Ulta store openings page.
RELATED: WHOA — Ulta Mini-Stores Are Coming to Target
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