When Stores Mark Down Clearance Items

How Target’s Daily Markdown Schedule Works

Target marks down clearance items on a specific day each week depending on the department, according to third-party reporting. The schedule reported by consumer credit counseling resources suggests different categories get their new markdowns on different days: Monday for electronics, accessories, kids clothing, books, baby items, and stationery; Tuesday for domestics, women’s clothing, pets, and food items; Wednesday for men’s clothing, health and beauty, diapers, lawn and garden, and furniture; and Thursday for housewares, lingerie, shoes, toys, sporting goods, decor, and luggage. This timing lets you plan visits around the merchandise you’re hunting. The trade-off is that the schedule may vary by location, so checking with a store associate about your local Target store hours and markdown timing can help you confirm the exact day your store marks down the category you want. You can also check the Target app for real-time pricing to confirm whether an item is in the clearance section before you make the trip.

Walmart’s Seasonal Clearance Events and Yellow Tag System

Walmart runs major seasonal clearance events with markdowns that escalate over time. The Krazy Coupon Lady reports that Walmart’s toy clearance happens twice yearly, in December and July, with discounts starting at 75 percent off and reaching as high as 90 percent off regular prices on some items. For Christmas clearance, markdowns begin at 50 percent off on December 26, then jump to 75 percent off about a week later, and may reach 90 percent off by mid-January if stock remains. This multi-stage approach means the same item gets cheaper the longer it sits on clearance racks. One important tip: Walmart’s yellow clearance tags don’t always reflect the actual sale price in the system. Use the Walmart app’s price scanner while you’re in the store to check the real markdown, since items are sometimes mismarked on the shelf. Combined with Walmart price adjustment policy, this means you can ask for the lower price if you spot a scanning error.

Macy’s Last Act and Seasonal Markdown Timing

Macy’s offers year-round clearance through its Last Act section and runs four seasonal clearance events annually. According to third-party reporting, Last Act items are merchandise headed to salvage stores within 30 days or less, and they’re marked down 60 to 80 percent off. These items cannot be returned, and Macy’s won’t allow coupons, exchanges, or price adjustments on them, so the restriction is the trade-off for the deep discount. Macy’s also runs seasonal clearance sales in early April (spring), early July (summer), early October (fall), and early January (winter), with out-of-season merchandise discounted 40 to 60 percent off. Markdowns begin on Sunday and must be completed by Tuesday, making Tuesday the best day to shop for the widest selection of newly marked items. When browsing Macy’s clearance racks, look for yellow tags ending in the number 6, which indicate final markdowns that won’t go any lower.

JCPenney and Kohl’s Markdown Cycles

JCPenney rolls out new markdowns on the first and third Friday of each month, with the biggest discounts typically starting right before the weekend, according to third-party sources. The corporate office sets clearance markdowns up to 80 percent off, but store managers have discretion on pricing once items hit that threshold. During the Christmas season, JCPenney marks items down 50 to 60 percent off in the weeks leading up to the holiday, then jumps to 80 percent off on December 26, and can reach 85 percent off by December 31 when coupons are factored in. One advantage at JCPenney is that some clearance items are eligible for additional coupon discounts; check the coupon fine print to see if it excludes clearance merchandise.

Kohl’s marks down items regularly, but the best selection of new markdowns appears on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. According to reporting, clearance items that don’t sell are marked down an additional 5 percent every couple of weeks, so waiting can yield deeper discounts if an item isn’t in high demand. You can combine Kohl’s clearance prices with Kohl’s Cash rewards and applicable coupons for discounts reaching up to 80 percent or more. During Kohl’s Christmas clearance starting December 26, items are marked down 50 to 70 percent off, and the timing often overlaps with Kohl’s Cash earning periods, letting you stack rewards on clearance purchases.

Reading Clearance Price Endings and Identifying Final Markdowns

Many retailers use price tag endings to signal whether an item will be marked down again or is at its final price. At Macy’s, yellow clearance tags ending in the number 6 indicate final markdowns. At other retailers, price endings like prices ending in certain numbers or colors of tags serve similar purposes, though these codes vary by store. The key trade-off is that items at final-markdown prices cannot go lower, so if you want the item, buying immediately is the smart move rather than waiting for another reduction. Some items marked for final clearance may also have restrictions like no returns, no exchanges, or no coupon eligibility, so check the signage carefully before purchasing.

When Second Markdowns Arrive and How to Time Your Shopping

Second markdowns typically arrive two to four weeks after an item first hits clearance, though the exact timing depends on how quickly items sell. At Kohl’s, reporting indicates that items are marked down an additional 5 percent every couple of weeks if they remain unsold. Walmart’s seasonal events show escalating markdowns over weeks or months: Christmas items start at 50 percent off, move to 75 percent off a week later, and may reach 90 percent off by mid-January. This means waiting can save you more money, but it also means the item might sell out before the next markdown. The strategy is to check whether an item has a price ending or tag color that signals a final markdown; if it does, buy it immediately. If it doesn’t, you can return later to catch a deeper discount, though you risk the item being gone. For the best selection, shop on the day each retailer typically marks items down: Tuesday at Macy’s and Target’s domestics and women’s clothing; Monday through Thursday at Target depending on the department; and the first and third Friday at JCPenney.