Saleathon (sale + marathon)

A “saleathon” or “sale-a-thon” (sale + marathon) is an event that retailers often hold featuring discounted products. “Saleathon” has been cited in print since at least 1934 and 1951.
 
Another term for a “sale marathon” is “sellathon.” Similar sales terms include “saleabration” and “sellabration.”
 
 
19 October 1934, Coshocton (OH) Tribune, pg. 12, col. 7:
Ohio Power Employees
Assist in Sale-Athon
 
23 May 1951. Southtown Economist (Chicago, IL), pg. 14, col. 4 ad:
OUR 24 HOUR A DAY “SALE-A-THON” GOES ON UNTIL “T” DAY
(American Television Factory Showrooms—ed.)
 
20 November 1953, Scottsdale (A) Progress, pg. 5 ad:
THANKS VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU FOLKS FOR MAKING OUR LAST WEEK’S SALEATHON THE HUGE SUCCESS THAT IT WAS.
(Neb’s Market—ed.)
 
23 February 1956, Denton (TX) Record-Chronicle, pg. 10 ad:
Sale-A-Thon SPECIALS
(Penney’s—ed.)
 
8 March 1956, Olney (TX) Enterprise, pg. 11 ad:
PRE EASTER
SALE-A-THON
9Bushey’s—ed.)
 
Google News Archive
26 August 1962, The News and Courier (Charleston, SC), pg. 7-D, col. 3 ad:
SINGER
FALL SALE-A-THON
 
10 June 1955, Seattle (WA) TImes, pg. 46, col. 1 classified ad:
HANSEN
BUICK’S
CLOSED
UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
IN PREPARATION FOR THE
BIGGEST USED CARS
SALEATHON
 
Google News Archive
5 September 1969, Daytona Beach (FL) Morning Journal, “No Liners, No Sale,” pg. 13, col. 1:
NEW SMYRNA BEACH—The Jaycees sponsored a sale-a-thon, previously set for today from a truck on Canal St. to sell the City’s garbage can liners, has been canceled, according to Joe Benedict, chairman.