Most shopping advice tells you "Black Friday is the best time to buy." That might be true for electronics — but for Canadian fashion, the 2026 data tells a different story. Closetta monitored 60+ brands daily from January through May. Here's what actually happened.
Average Discount by Month (2026)
| Month | Average Discount Across All Brands |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 40% |
| February 2026 | 44% |
| March 2026 | 46% (peak) |
| April 2026 | 43% |
| May 2026 | 41% |
March was the single deepest month in our 2026 data. Not Black Friday (which we'll have data on later this year), not January post-holiday clearance — March. This is when spring-season inventory pressure hits: brands clear winter stock to make room for new arrivals, and the competition is visible in the numbers.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January: Post-Holiday Clearance Hits Hard
Average: 40% off
January is a strong month for post-holiday clearance. The deepest deals we tracked:
- Kate Spade Outlet — 70% off (their most aggressive window)
- Simons — 70% off Last Chance sale
- Hugo Boss — 60% off
- Gap — 60% off
- RW&CO — 60% off
- Calvin Klein — 60% off
January is particularly strong for accessories and outerwear — categories that were front-and-center for holiday gift-giving and are now being cleared.
Best for: Bags, coats, and boots. Brands like Simons and Kate Spade Outlet hit depths in January that they won't necessarily repeat.
February: Valentine's Bump + Deep Discounts Continue
Average: 44% off
February saw the highest Calvin Klein discount of the year (70%), and Steve Madden jumped to 60% off. Some brands that were absent in January entered the discount mix:
- Calvin Klein — 70% (February peak)
- Steve Madden — 60% off
- Rudsak — 50% (up from 15% in January)
- Puma — 50% (up from 20% in January)
The average jumped 4 points from January. Valentine's Day promotions stacked with ongoing clearance.
Best for: Shoes (Steve Madden, Aldo both at 60%), activewear (Puma, Reebok both at 50%), Canadian outerwear (Rudsak hit 50%).
March: The Deepest Month We've Tracked
Average: 46% off — highest of the year so far
March is when end-of-season pressure peaks. Winter inventory must move before spring arrivals take over shelf space. Two brands hit their 2026 maximums in March:
- Victoria's Secret — 70% off (first time in our data)
- The North Face — 65% off (their peak; compare to 25% right now)
- Calvin Klein — 70% (maintained)
- Steve Madden — 60% (maintained)
- Tommy Hilfiger — 60%
Best for: Outerwear and activewear. North Face at 65% in March vs 25% in May is a concrete example of how much timing matters. If you need a North Face jacket, March is the window to watch.
April: Spring Sales, Strong Clearance on Winter Goods
Average: 43% off
April's standout was Old Navy at 80% off — the highest single-brand discount recorded in our entire 2026 dataset. Victoria's Secret maintained 70% for the second month. Calvin Klein stayed at 70%.
New entrants:
- Old Navy — 80% off (their highest ever in our data)
- Ardene — 70% off (first appearance)
- Clinique — 40% off (up from 30%)
Best for: Basics and intimates clearance (Old Navy, Victoria's Secret). Ardene for budget-friendly fashion at extreme discounts.
May (Current): Victoria Day Adds a Burst
Average: 41% off
May brought a new wave of brands into the discount mix through Victoria Day promotions, most ending May 18. The depth eased compared to March and April, but the breadth increased:
- Ardene — 70% (maintained)
- Marc Jacobs — 50% (new entry)
- Alo Yoga — 30% (first tracked discount)
New Balance appeared for the first time in our data at 25% off.
Best for: Long weekend deals (ending May 18) and swimwear (Bikini Village consistently at 50%).
Planning Your Fashion Shopping Calendar
Based on 2026 data, here's the priority order for each category:
Outerwear and winter coats: March (North Face peaked at 65%, Columbia at 40%, Rudsak at 50%)
Shoes and boots: February–March (Steve Madden, Aldo both at 60% in Feb; Vans, Skechers in both months)
Denim and basics: Calvin Klein and Gap are deeply discounted all year — no specific peak needed
Activewear: February–March for Puma and Reebok at 50%; May for Victoria Day events on Vans and Columbia
Bags and accessories: January for Kate Spade Outlet (70%) and post-holiday clearance
Swimwear: Any time — Bikini Village has been at 50% every month of 2026
What to Do Right Now
Several strong sales are active this week:
- Calvin Klein sitewide (50% off, ends May 19)
- American Eagle clearance (50% off, NEW)
- Gap New Favorites Sale (40–60% off)
- Victoria Day sales across 10+ brands (most ending May 18)
Use Closetta's sale feed to track what's active today, or set up price alerts on specific items so you catch the next deep window automatically.
Data sourced from Closetta's daily AI monitoring of 60+ Canadian fashion brands, January–May 2026. Historical patterns reflect observed trends; future sale timing may vary.