Last weekend’s East Coast blizzard cost retailers an estimated $1 billion in lost sales—but we’ve noticed some merchants are trying to rebound and keep registers ringing into the New Year by offering deals on winter essentials like snow blowers, shovels, space heaters, backup generators and chain saws rarely seen on sale this time of year.

The items below all performed well in our tests, and the snow blowers include some single- and two-stage models we've just finished testing (use the video at right to help you quickly decide which type of snow blower is best for your needs).

Amazon   Website I Facebook I Twitter
• Toro 38381 18-inch Power Curve electric snow thrower for $299 with free shipping;
• Snow Joe 622U1 19-inch electric snow blower for $219 with free shipping;
• Yamaha 3000-watt EF3000iSE portable backup generator for $1,979.10 with free shipping (Backup generator Ratings);
• Soleusair HM2-15R-32 electric space heater for $59.99 with free shipping. (Space heater Ratings)

Home Depot   Website I  Facebook  I  Twitter
• Yard Machines 31AH65FH82 two-stage, 30-inch gas-powered snow blower for $999 with free shipping;
• Echo CS-370-16 gas-powered chain saw for $249 with $15.00 shipping (Chain saw Ratings).
• Kohler 14RESL 14 kW natural gas/propane powered automatic home standby generator with 100-amp automatic transfer switch for $3,699 with free shipping.

Sears   Website I  Facebook I Twitter
• Snapper 1695964 27-inch two-stage snow blower for $999 with $90.51 shipping;
• Craftsman 88957 24'' two-stage snow blower for $599.99 with $79.35 shipping; 
• Craftsman  88780 21'' single-stage snow blower with electric start, $459.99 with $48.45 shipping;

Target   Website I  Facebook  I  Twitter
• Toro 38381 18-inch Power Curve electric snow thrower for $299 (online only; shipping rates vary)
• Honeywell HZ-385BP electric fan-forced convection space heater for $59.99  (in-store and online; shipping rates vary)

More decision aids: Our latest Appliance and Home and Garden Ratings feature a new product-comparison tool that shows which products offer the most features and performance for the price. Use our mobile service  (free to subscribers) and new Mobile Shopper iPhone app (available on iTunes for $9.99) to get Ratings and other information when you’re on the road or in the stores.