SHOP IT UP!

Fourth of July one of the best times of year for big savings

If you’re a shopper, now is when the real fireworks begin.

The Fourth of July holiday signals the start of the annual effort by retailers to rid their stores of the last of their spring and summer merchandise, and that means bargains even in the days leading up to the Fourth.

Shoppers who can pull themselves away from working on their tans and family barbecues will find tremendous savings on clothing, furniture, home goods and more.

“July 4 is sort of the kickoff of the clearance full-court press,” says Dan Butler, vice presidentRetail Operations for the National Retail Federation.

“People a re looking for things for convenience, such as sodas for their barbecue, and are also bargain-hunting.”

Retail stores will respond with sidewalk sales, both outside and in the aisles, and other limited-time offers featuring rock-bottom prices — including online.

It pays to check out the websites of your favorite retailers and to sign up for their Twitter and Facebook alerts so you can spot flash deals.

Macy’s, for example, has already started its holiday sales event, with savings up to 50% off on appliances, men’s clothing, swimwear and bedding.

With July 4 falling on a Wednesday this year, and many people taking the whole week off, look for deals throughout the whole week, Butler advises.

Here’s what you’ll find on sale.

Furniture and mattresses. Macy’s is touting its furniture and mattress sale as having the lowest prices of the season — for instance, save 30% to 50% on select mattresses and up to 60% on select outdoor furniture.

Or head to Home Depot’s Red, White and Blue Savings event and save up to 50% off patio furniture, such as a Martha Stewart Living Sea Bright Patio Set for $399 (regularly $699).

Spring and summer clothes. Many stores are offering savings of 40% off or more on alreadyreduced prices for spring and summer clothing, including suits.

Lord & Taylor is sweetening the pot with a discount of 20% off regular or promotional items (use promo code JULY4 online, or print out a coupon to use instore, lordandtaylor.com).

The holiday sale at Woodbury

Commons Premium Outlets (one hour north of New York City), through July 4, means up to 65% off already reduced outlet prices.

The Red Bright + Blue sale at The Gap, which runs until July 4 (online) and July 8 (in stores), has a bunch of 40% off deals.

Automobiles. Car dealers are promoting holiday savings as they try to reduce inventory. Chevrolet, for instance, is offering $500 in Independence Day Cash on select vehicles, including the 2012 Cruze and Traverse, and Silverado trucks. The sale runs through July 2 at Chevy dealers.

Televisions. This is a good time to find a floor sample at a bargain price. Electronics stores “will be cleaning up (inventory) to make way for new product,” says the NRF’s Butler.

Restaurants. With a lot of people taking the week off, look for restaurants to encourage visits through coupon offers at websites that include Groupon.

Hotels. Take a quick break or enjoy a staycation in the city. Hotels.com is celebrating the Fourth with up to 30% savings if you book by July 5 for stays by July 10, at select properties.

Cruises. Go on a Norwegian Cruise Line fall sailing from New York to Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Bahamas or New England/Canada by July 7, and you can take the kids along for free (age 17 and under, sharing a cabin with two adults).

Fares for a week-long sailing on the Norwegian Star to Bermuda, from Sept. 9 through Oct. 14, are from $449 per person, double occupancy.