National Outlet Shopping Day
June 13 - June 14
About National Outlet Shopping Day
National Outlet Shopping Day is an annual retail event that falls on the second Saturday in June, landing on Saturday, 13 June 2026, with participating centres extending the savings across the weekend of 11 to 14 June. Created by Simon Property Group in 2022, the day celebrates outlet shopping with deep discounts, exclusive deals, and giveaways at dozens of premium outlet and Mills centres across the United States.
How to Celebrate National Outlet Shopping Day
This is a day built for deal seekers, so the best way to mark it is simply to shop smart and make the most of the savings on offer. Here are some ideas to get the most out of it:
- Plan your route before you go – Outlet centres are large, so check the centre directory online and map out the stores you most want to visit so you do not miss the brands with the biggest markdowns.
- Sign up for the centre’s deal alerts – Many participating outlets release exclusive coupons, gift-with-purchase offers, and early-access perks to email and app subscribers ahead of the weekend.
- Set a budget and a list – Outlet savings are tempting, so decide in advance what you actually need, whether that is summer clothing, trainers, homeware, or gifts, and stick to it to avoid impulse spending.
- Arrive early for the best stock – Popular sizes and the most heavily discounted items tend to go first, so getting there when doors open gives you the widest choice.
- Stack the discounts – National Outlet Shopping Day savings are applied on top of already-reduced outlet prices of up to 65% off, so look for clearance rails and extra weekend-only reductions to maximise the saving.
- Look out for giveaways and prizes – Centres often run contests, free gift bags, spin-to-win games, and spend-based rewards such as free tote bags or spa experiences for shoppers who hit a spending threshold.
- Make a day of it with friends or family – Outlet centres usually have food courts and cafes, so build in a lunch break and turn the trip into a social outing rather than a quick dash.
- Shop sustainably where you can – Bring your own reusable bags and consider buying quality pieces that will last, an approach that also ties in nicely with reducing single-use plastic.
What is National Outlet Shopping Day?
National Outlet Shopping Day is a promotional retail holiday designed to drive shoppers to outlet centres during a quieter point in the calendar. It brings together hundreds of fashion, beauty, accessories, and home brands under one banner of weekend-only deals. The event is aimed squarely at bargain hunters and power shoppers who enjoy the thrill of finding designer and high-street labels at a fraction of their original price. It typically runs across a long weekend, with the official day marked on the second Saturday of June.
When is National Outlet Shopping Day?
National Outlet Shopping Day takes place on the second Saturday in June each year. In 2026 that falls on Saturday, 13 June, with many centres running their offers from Thursday 11 June through to Sunday 14 June. Because the date shifts each year depending on where the second Saturday lands, here are the dates for the next five years:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 13 June |
| 2027 | Saturday, 12 June |
| 2028 | Saturday, 10 June |
| 2029 | Saturday, 9 June |
| 2030 | Saturday, 8 June |
The History of National Outlet Shopping Day
National Outlet Shopping Day is a relatively new addition to the retail calendar. It was created in 2022 by Simon Property Group, one of the largest owners of shopping centres and premium outlets in the United States. The company worked with the National Day Calendar to have the occasion officially proclaimed, fixing it permanently to the second Saturday in June.
The timing was no accident. Mikael Thygesen, then chief marketing officer at Simon Property, explained that the date was chosen to fill a gap between established promotional windows. Memorial Day sales have finished by mid-June, while back-to-school shopping has not yet begun, leaving a quiet stretch that the new event was designed to energise. The first edition launched across roughly 90 outlet centres nationwide and arrived at a moment when rising inflation had many shoppers hunting harder than ever for value.
The concept of outlet shopping itself is much older than the day that now celebrates it. Outlet stores began as factory shops where manufacturers sold surplus, slightly imperfect, or end-of-line stock directly to workers and the public. They grew into purpose-built outlet centres through the late twentieth century, eventually becoming sprawling destinations that draw millions of visitors. National Outlet Shopping Day simply gives this long-standing shopping tradition its own headline moment. By 2025 the event had expanded from a two-day promotion into a four-day weekend featuring thousands of deals from hundreds of brands, cementing its place as one of the biggest outlet savings events of the year.
Fun Facts About National Outlet Shopping Day
- The day was created in 2022, making it one of the youngest retail holidays on the calendar.
- It is permanently fixed to the second Saturday in June by proclamation through the National Day Calendar.
- The inaugural event spanned around 90 Simon premium outlet and Mills centres across the United States.
- Discounts during the event stack on top of outlet prices already reduced by as much as 65% off retail.
- In 2025 the event grew into a four-day weekend, with one announcement promoting around 6,200 deals from roughly 500 brands.
- Some centres reward shoppers who hit a spending threshold with extras such as free gift bags, spin-to-win games, or even chair massages and oxygen-bar sessions.
Why National Outlet Shopping Day Matters
Beyond the bargains, the day supports retailers and outlet communities during a slower trading period, helping brands clear seasonal stock and keeping centres busy between the major sale seasons. For shoppers feeling the pressure of higher living costs, a concentrated weekend of stacked discounts offers a genuine chance to buy quality items for less. It also reflects how retail keeps reinventing itself, turning an everyday activity into a shared, anticipated event. If you enjoy a good deal, you might also look forward to Amazon Prime Day, another modern shopping event built around limited-time savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Outlet Shopping Day?
It is an annual retail event created by Simon Property Group in 2022 that brings deep discounts, exclusive deals, and giveaways to outlet centres across the United States. It is aimed at bargain hunters looking to save on a wide range of brands.
When is National Outlet Shopping Day in 2026?
The official day is Saturday, 13 June 2026, the second Saturday in June. Many participating centres run their offers across the wider weekend from 11 to 14 June.
Who created National Outlet Shopping Day?
It was created by Simon Property Group, a major operator of premium outlets and shopping centres, in partnership with the National Day Calendar. The date was chosen to fill a quiet gap between Memorial Day sales and back-to-school shopping.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best outlet hauls on social media with #NationalOutletShoppingDay and #NationalOutletShoppingDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to find the biggest bargain of the weekend!
Related Awareness Days
- Amazon Prime Day – Another modern shopping event built entirely around limited-time deals and savings.
- Supporting Small Businesses Abroad Day – A day that turns the focus to independent traders rather than large retailers.
- Independent Retailer Month – A month-long celebration championing small, independent shops and local high streets.
Links
- Visit the official National Outlet Shopping Day page from Simon
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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