How Does Target Markdown Clearance?? (Buy items at 70% off)

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Shopping the clearance at Target is probably my favorite way to save.    Once you know how and when Target marks things down, you can easily find stuff for 70% off, not just lame stuff that nobody wants, you can find GOOD STUFF!

How do you find clearance items?  The clearance items at Target will have a red sticker.   In the lower right hand corner you will see the price they are currently marked down to.   The lower left hand corner will let you know what the origninal price was.  Plus, you can find the percentage of the markdown in the upper right hand corner, so you don’t have to do the math!   They make it super easy on us.  Clearance prices generally end in either a 4 or an 8.

This example shows:

  • This items is marked down to $2.08
  • The regular price was $6.99
  • The percentage it is marked down is 70% off!

Where do you find clearance items?  Most of the clearance items are found at the end of the aisles, usually on the endcap facing a wall.  You can usually see a clearance sign posted at the endcap.   When items are marked down for the first time, there is a good chance you will still find them in the aisle.   Once they have several items on clearance, they will get moved to an endcap.

How do they mark things down?  Target has a system for marking down their clearance items.  In general the markdowns go 30%, 50%, & then 70% off.   There are exceptions to this rule, sometimes more popular or everyday items will start at 15% off.   Often, you will find that the food, healthy & beauty, electronics and Lego’s will start at 15% off.   Holiday and seasonal items follow a different markdown schedule, they will get marked down to as low as 90% off.  SWEET!

Generally, they mark things down to the next level every 2 weeks (sometimes it is longer, or shorter).  So, if you see something in sporting goods that you are interested in that was just marked down 50%, if you come back on Thursday 2 weeks from that day you should find it at 70% off.   Sometimes you will come back and the item will all be gone.  If  you see an item that you  really need, it might be a good idea to buy it at 50% off.   If I am buying items for the future use, or for my gift closet,  I usually wait to see if I can get it at 70% off.

What days to items get marked down?  Generally, Target marks down their items Monday-Friday.  Each department is generally assigned a certain day that they do their markdowns.   Knowing this schedule is the key to  finding great deals at Target.   Holiday items don’t follow a set schedule, so they could get marked down on a weekend.    Below, you will find the Target markdown schedule.   Please note that some stores may follow a different schedule, and also departments can change to a different day.   As an example, several years ago the markdown for the toy department used to be on a Wednesday, but now the majority of the stores have moved the toy markdown day to Thursday.

Mon. — Electronics, Accessories, Kids Clothing, Books, Baby and Stationary, (Cards, Gift Wrap, etc.)

Tues. — Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)

Wed. — Men’s Clothing, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items

Thur. — Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Toys, Sporting Goods, Decor & Luggage

Fri. — Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry

It is important to mention that there is a good chance that clearance prices will vary by store.   You may find some towels on clearance to 70% off at one store, and run over to another Target to try to get more and find that their towels are only marked down to 50% or even 30% off.

Holiday Clearance Markdowns: The holiday clearance is fun, fun fun!  These items get marked down to as low as 90% off.  That’s like nearly FREE!  The holiday items will go to 50% off the day after the holiday.  If the holiday involves bagged candy (Halloween, Christmas, Valentines), then the candy will usually start out at only 30% off.  Usually a week or so later the items will get marked down to 70% off, a few days after the 70% markdown, everything that is left gets marked down to 90% off.

Here are the items that are considered holiday items:

  • Valentine’s
  • Easter
  • Summer
  • Back to School
  • Halloween
  • Christmas

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9 Comments

  1. Great article, thanks so much for all your hardwork! Definitely saving that page for future reference.

  2. Ok so items that are marked down on Thursday for example toys, are they marked down over night or are they marking them down that day?

  3. @Mon It will vary by store. Some stores will have the markdown done when the they open and others will work on them in the morning when the store is open.

    This is what I have noticed at most of the stores I go to:
    Usually most departments are marked down when the store opens. I do find that clothing is an exception to this rule, because there is so much clothing I think it takes them a little longer to get through all of it.

    Also, if a big portion of the department is being clearanced, like the toy sale in January and July, I usually see them marking things down while I am there since there is so much to markdown. This too will vary by store, because last January when I went in on the day that they were marked down everything was already marked down at one of the stores.
    https://allthingstarget.com/2012/06/15/target-70-off-toy-clearance-coming-in-july-2012/

  4. Once the item has been marked down is it marked down permanently or is it only marked down on that day. For example, if I can’t make it to the store on a Monday, will those same prices still be on when I get there on Tuesday, or do they mark them back up?

  5. @Rachelle Clearance prices will never go back up, once it is marked down to 50% off it will stay at that price until the next markdown level, which in this case would be 70% off.

    Once they hit the higher percentages though the items tend to go quicker, so an item may or may not still be there when you return.

  6. Thanks for posting this. I do the Target hunt any time I go there browsing for clearance. I mostly stick to the Men’s graphic shirts which end up in the 2.98-3.49 range. I’m gonna check it out tomorrow because I’ve been waiting for some that are at 50% right now for the past few days. Hope it’ll be reduced!

  7. Any idea when back to school gear will get marked down? Really want to get a backpack to put away for my son. And do they go 15, 30, etc?

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