MLK Day Sales 2017: Deals, Discounts In Stores, From Pier 1 To Kmart

This weekend marks the national holiday that honors the life and work of civil rights activist and peacemaker Martin Luther King Jr. To celebrate, a number of stores are offering sales and holiday weekend deals that will run through Tuesday.

The holiday weekend, however, has come under fire in recent years for sales that accompany it. Consumers and brands were encouraged to refrain from capitalizing on the day out of respect for King.

"All national holidays do not need fake retail holidays to accompany them, particularly ones that honor the life and work of a leader of the civil rights movement," fashion outlet Racked wrote in a post.

AdWeek called out retailers in 2011 by publishing a "Most Offensive MLK Day Sale Ad" that depicted a tastelessly photoshopped poster of King, and MarketWatch chronicled the backlash that ensued when brands attempted to push "MLK Day" related marketing pitches.

Yet, despite brands and retailers catching flack for trivializing the importance of the holiday, companies continue to promote sales, in some cases changing the promotion's name to de-emphasize the relationship to MLK Day, reverting to monikers like “semiannual sale” or “friends & family sale.”

Since the advent of retail advertising, companies have used any holiday — be it religious or in observance of a nationally renowned figure — to promote sales. Arguably, a holiday weekend of any kind offers the opportunity for brands to capture the consumer’s pocketbook.

For those looking to celebrate the life, memory and heroism of Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day, outlets like NBC News and the Los Angeles Daily News have published a list of services and tribute events and activities to participate in this weekend around the country. For those who are looking to celebrate a holiday weekend by saving some money and catching up on some seasonal shopping on a day off, here are some sales to consider:

Kmart: Kmart will be hosting its 4 Days of Deals for the weekend, which will end Monday at 11:59 p.m. CST. Shoppers will be able to save an extra 10 percent when they spend $50 on bed and bath products, cookware, select kitchen appliances, home décor and Valentine’s Day gifts. Shoppers can use the code HOME10 at checkout.

Old Navy: The apparel brand will offer free shipping on orders of at least $25 with the checkout code FREESHIP, which will end Jan. 22. Its Super Cash sale, which will end Jan. 26, will give shoppers $10 back for every $25 they spend.

Crate & Barrel: The home goods and furniture company’s weekend sale will end Monday and offer as much as 20 percent off media stands and consoles. Check the Crate&Barrel website for a list of discounted products.

Pier 1 Imports: Pier 1’s Friends & Family sale will feature 15 percent off regular price items with the code FRIENDS15. However, Rewards members will receive 20 percent off regular priced purchases with the code REWARDS20. In addition, shoppers will receive free shipping on purchases of at least $49. The sale will end Monday.

Saks Fifth Avenue: Saks Fifth Avenue will be hosting its Martin Luther King Jr. Day Home Sale through Monday, online only. Shoppers will receive as much as 30 percent off select apparel.

Ralph Lauren: The American design brand will be hosting its sale through Tuesday until 11:59 p.m. PST, for both online and in-store. Shoppers will be able to score select items and apparel on sale for an additional 40 percent off. Use the code SNOW at checkout.

Le Cou: The fashion-forward apparel company will be hosting a sale Monday where select items will be available for as much as 40 percent off.