How Does Bath And Body Works Candle Day Work?
Introduction
Candle Day is a highly anticipated annual one-day event at Bath & Body Works where all 3-wick candles are sold for just $10 each. This incredible deal usually only happens once a year, on the first Saturday morning in December.
The first Candle Day was held in 2017 and it quickly became a major event for Bath & Body Works fans and candle lovers. People line up outside stores in the early morning hours to take advantage of the amazing discounts on large candles that normally retail for $24.50-$27.50. Candle Day has grown so popular that customers will wait in line for hours to get their hands on the discounted candles.
What is Candle Day?
Candle Day is Bath & Body Works’ biggest and most popular candle sale of the year. It occurs one to two times per year, usually in December and June or July. On Candle Day, all 3-wick candles are priced at just $10-$12 each, which is a significant discount from their regular prices of $24.50-$27.50. Candle lovers and bargain hunters flock to Bath & Body Works stores on Candle Day to stock up on candles for the low promotional price. The signature annual sale draws massive crowds and long lines as people try to get their hands on the wide variety of scents and fragrances before they sell out. Candle Day offers huge savings for customers and generates buzz and foot traffic for Bath & Body Works. The event has become a major part of the brand’s marketing and sales strategy.
When is Candle Day?
Bath & Body Works typically hosts Candle Day sales events twice a year – once in early December and again in early June. They tend to schedule Candle Day on the first Friday and Saturday of December and June in order to coincide with the kickoff of the holiday shopping season and semi-annual sale respectively.
While the exact dates vary slightly each year, shoppers can generally expect a Candle Day event on one of the first weekends of December and June. For reference, here is when Candle Day took place in recent years:
- December 2020 – December 4th & 5th
- June 2021 – June 11th & 12th
- December 2021- December 3rd & 4th
- June 2022 – June 10th & 11th
Bath & Body Works typically announces official Candle Day dates 1-2 months in advance on their website and social media pages. Subscribing to email and text alerts is a great way to get notified right when future Candle Day details are released.
Candle Day Hours
Bath and Body Works stores usually open 1-2 hours earlier than normal for Candle Day. For example, if a store normally opens at 10 am, it may open at 8 or 9 am specifically for Candle Day. Check with your local store for their exact Candle Day hours.
The early opening gives shoppers extra time to browse the candle selection before a big morning rush. It also helps prevent crowded lines outside the store first thing in the morning. Note that mall hours may affect when certain Bath & Body Works locations open – some may still open at the regular mall opening time even if opening early for Candle Day.
Doors tend to stay open later on Candle Day as well. If a store usually closes at 9 pm, it might keep its doors open until 10 or 11 pm to give more time for candle shopping and handling longer lines at checkout. Call ahead to confirm closing hours at your nearest location.
Candle Selection
On Candle Day, there are hundreds of candles to choose from in a wide variety of scents. Classic, core scents like Mahogany Teakwood, Warm Vanilla Sugar, and Champagne Toast are available. Bath & Body Works also releases special, limited edition seasonal and holiday scents. Popular seasonal scents for winter include Fresh Balsam, Vanilla Bean Noel, Twisted Peppermint, and Tis the Season.
The selection truly has something for everyone. Fruity scents, bakery scents, floral scents, and fresh & clean scents are all represented. Shoppers can also find unique scent options, like men’s fragrances Mahogany Teakwood High Intensity and Graphite, or the aromatherapy scents in the Stress Relief, Sleep, and Comfort lines. With hundreds of possibilities, it may be helpful to make a wish list ahead of your Candle Day shopping trip.
Candle Day Tips
To ensure you get the candles you want during Candle Day, here are a few helpful hints:
- Come Early. Get to the store when it opens, or even arrange to be there before the doors open. There may already be a line, so getting there early is key to having the best selection.
- Be Flexible on Scents. Have in mind the types of candles or scents you want, but be prepared to be flexible if your top choices are already gone. There are always new or random scents offered that you may end up liking even more!
- Bring Reusable Bags. Since you’ll likely be buying multiple candles, bring your own reusable shopping bags. That way you can easily carry all your new candles and reduce plastic waste.
Following these tips will help you have the best possible Candle Day experience and come home with lots of great new candles!
Lines and Crowds
As Candle Day is the biggest sale of the year for Bath & Body Works, you can expect very long lines and large crowds at all store locations. The lines often begin forming hours before stores open in the early morning. Once the doors open, the checkout lines remain very long throughout the day.
The average wait time is around 30-60 minutes just to get into the store. Then once inside, expect to wait another 15-30 minutes in the checkout line before being able to make your purchases. The stores are usually crowded wall-to-wall with people grabbing candles off the shelves.
So be prepared to spend several hours if you want to participate and shop on Candle Day. Come with patience and understanding, wear comfortable shoes, and be ready for tight crowds and noise. The energy is exciting but can also be chaotic at times. Just know the deals are worth it for most loyal Bath & Body Works fans.
Inventory
Candle Day is the most popular shopping day of the year for Bath & Body Works, with high demand across popular products. The store ensures extra inventory for the event, but quantities of the most sought-after, top-selling candles are limited.
When the doors open in the morning, there will already be long line-ups of eager shoppers hoping to get their hands on favorites like Fresh Balsam, Leaves, Vanilla Bean Noel and Mahogany Teakwood candles before stock sells out. The stock of any given scent is given out on a first come, first served basis.
While the store does order extra quantities ahead of the big event and has merchandising teams focused on Candle Day, inevitably the most coveted candle scents in the holiday collections sell out within the first few hours of the store opening. Shoppers who miss out will have to settle for their second or third choice candles if they want to benefit from the day’s promotions. So arriving early is key if you have your heart set on particular in-demand products.
COVID Precautions
Shopping during Candle Day is popular and stores can get crowded, so Bath & Body Works is taking precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. All store locations require customers to wear masks in order to limit the spread of the virus, regardless of vaccination status.
Additionally, some stores are limiting capacity to promote social distancing and reduce crowds in store. This means there may be longer lines outside of stores at times. To save time and avoid lines, shop early or late in the day.
During the busiest hours of Candle Day, be extra patient and form a proper line to maintain social distancing. Always wear your mask properly in store and while in line.
Conclusion
In summary, Candle Day is Bath & Body Works’ biggest sale of the year where candles are offered for a low price of $10 to $12. It occurs once a year, usually in early December. With over 150 candle fragrances to choose from, shoppers can expect long lines and crowded stores on this popular one-day event.
To make the most of Candle Day, arrive early, bring a list of preferred fragrances, and be prepared to buy candles in multiples for the best value. Inventory may be limited, so shop in-store for the best experience and selection. Be mindful of COVID-19 precautions, allowing for social distancing and shopping online if you are unable to shop at a retail location.
After months of anticipation, Candle Day provides candle lovers 24 hours to stock up on Bath & Body Works’ famous candles at the lowest prices of the year. With some planning and flexibility, shoppers can walk away with plenty of candles to last until next year’s sale.