STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fellow Staten Islanders might not recognize Jacques Offenbach’s “Infernal Galop” by name, but they’ll instantly recall its famous can-can melody, the tune that became a winter soundtrack for generations of ShopRite shoppers. With that, the annual Can‑Can Sale is back, and once again that earworm is tapping through our collective memory as the event kicks off.
Red tags mark items that are a part of the Can-Can sale.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
ShopRite’s biannual Can‑Can Sale began at midnight on Sunday, Jan. 4, launching a three‑week January ritual that has drawn bargain hunters since 1971.
Digital coupons are already live for clipping and can be used online once the sale gets underway. Week One runs through Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 offering discounts on soups, tuna fish, tomato sauce, vegetables and other shelf‑stable staples like oil and coffee. Beverages such as Pepsi, Coca‑Cola, iced tea and bottled water are also included, even if they stretch the literal “can” theme.
A shopper displays her checklist as she navigates the hundreds of items marked down during the sale.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
But wait. There’s more.
ShopRite isn’t just dipping a toe into the bargain bin this time; it’s doing a full‑on can‑can kickline across the aisles. Pantene’s Unbreakable Lengths shampoo and conditioner are a mere $4.49, while Friendly’s Forbidden Chocolate ice cream flexes at $2.99.
There are plenty of other surprises in this supporting cast of food characters, from discounted Little Debbie Snowflake Brownies to Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in pasta sauce on sale for 88 cents.
Soups are among the most popular categories of sale items. Shoppers familiar with the Can-Can deals know to go early in the day for the best selection. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Among the hundreds of lowered‑price items, a few standouts includes a full line of ACE bandage supports and braces, just in case. And hoarder alert: The store has limits—four of each item.
ShopRite’s CanCan sale is on!(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)What’s the history behind the Can‑Can?
According to prior reports from the Mannix family owners, the Can‑Can promotion transformed some of the slowest weeks of the year into some of the busiest—part of what ShopRite bills as “the world’s greatest sale.” The original ad campaign featured dancing vaudeville girls and a memorable jingle: “From apple sauce to zucchini, it’s a can‑can savings spree!” By the early 1980s, the ads adopted a disco theme, and the tagline evolved to: “From can to can to can to can, you’ll save much more on every brand.”
This year, pastas are displayed near the checkout stations for convenience and visibility. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
A ShopRite representative said the strategy behind the Can‑Can campaign was to create a unique merchandising and advertising event that would stick with customers. Central to its appeal was the catchy, Moulin Rouge‑influenced tune that encouraged shoppers to stock up on private‑label canned fruits, vegetables, tuna and beverages.
Unlike Pathmark which relied on spokesperson James Karen, the actor known for more than 20 years as “Mr. Pathmark”ShopRite delivered its message through groundbreaking animated commercials. The early ads showcased the legs, arms and swirling dresses of can‑can dancers, complete with dramatic skirts, fishnet stockings and heels.
The sale even survived a 1974 industry‑wide canned‑goods shortage, eventually expanding to include national brands and products beyond cans. A summer version of the event debuted in 2002, though associates couldn’t confirm whether another can‑centric sale is planned for later this year.