Target, the beloved retail giant, is a haven for shoppers seeking everything from home goods and clothing to electronics and groceries. But beyond the regular aisles brimming with tempting products, lies a hidden world of incredible deals: the clearance section. Finding it, however, can sometimes feel like embarking on a treasure hunt. This guide will provide you with all the insider knowledge needed to locate Target’s clearance sections, understand their layout, and maximize your savings.
Deciphering Target’s Clearance Strategy
Target’s clearance strategy is dynamic and ever-evolving. Unlike some retailers with permanently designated clearance zones, Target often integrates clearance items within their regular departments. This approach can make finding discounted goods a bit more challenging, but also more rewarding. Knowing where to look and what signs to watch for is key to unlocking these deals.
The placement of clearance items often depends on factors such as the season, product category, and store layout. Items are typically marked down to make room for new inventory. This means that after major holidays or seasonal shifts, you’ll find a higher concentration of clearance merchandise.
Locating Clearance in Different Target Departments
To navigate the clearance landscape effectively, let’s break down the most common areas where you’ll find discounted treasures in different Target departments.
Clothing Clearance: A Fashionista’s Paradise
The clothing department is a prime hunting ground for clearance deals, encompassing women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel. Look for endcaps, back walls, and racks designated with red clearance stickers. These areas are usually clustered near the respective department sections.
In women’s clothing, keep an eye out for styles from previous seasons, overstocked sizes, and items with minor imperfections (usually clearly marked). Men’s clothing clearance often includes seasonal outerwear, dress shirts, and activewear. Children’s clothing is a particularly fruitful area, especially after back-to-school season or major holiday sales.
Home Goods Clearance: Decorating on a Dime
The home goods section offers a wide array of clearance opportunities, from furniture and decor to kitchenware and bedding. Clearance items are commonly found at the ends of aisles, in designated clearance zones, and sometimes integrated within the regular product displays.
Look for red stickers indicating clearance prices and carefully examine the items for any damage. Furniture clearance might include floor models, discontinued styles, or items with slight cosmetic flaws. Decor clearance often encompasses seasonal decorations, wall art, and decorative accessories. Kitchenware and bedding clearance can yield significant savings on pots, pans, sheets, and comforters.
Electronics Clearance: Gadget Grab
The electronics department might not seem like an obvious place for clearance, but you can find some hidden gems there. Keep an eye out for open-box items, discontinued models, and accessories being marked down.
Clearance electronics are often located in a designated area near the back of the department or on endcaps. Be sure to carefully inspect any open-box items for damage and inquire about the return policy before making a purchase. Headphones, chargers, and other accessories are frequently found on clearance racks near the checkout area.
Toys and Games Clearance: Savings for Kids (and Adults)
The toy department is another excellent hunting ground for clearance deals, especially after holidays like Christmas and Easter. Look for discounted toys, games, puzzles, and outdoor play equipment.
Clearance toys are typically found at the back of the department or on endcaps. Check for red stickers indicating clearance prices and examine the items for any damage. Board games, puzzles, and action figures are frequently found on clearance, as are seasonal items like swimming pools and water toys at the end of summer.
Health and Beauty Clearance: Affordable Self-Care
The health and beauty department also offers opportunities to save on personal care products, cosmetics, and skincare items. Look for clearance sections near the end of aisles or in dedicated areas.
Clearance items may include discontinued products, seasonal items, or products with packaging changes. Check expiration dates and carefully examine the products for any damage. Cosmetics, skincare, and hair care products are frequently found on clearance, as are seasonal items like sunscreen and tanning lotions at the end of summer.
Grocery Clearance: Food Finds for Less
While not as extensive as other departments, the grocery section at Target can also yield clearance finds, particularly in the dry goods and snack aisles.
Look for items with “reduced for quick sale” stickers, often due to nearing expiration dates or packaging changes. Canned goods, snacks, and beverages are commonly found on clearance. Always check the expiration dates before purchasing food items on clearance.
Understanding Target’s Clearance Markdown Schedule
Target utilizes a markdown schedule, which means that clearance items are progressively discounted over time. Knowing the typical markdown schedule can help you determine when to buy. However, it’s important to remember that these schedules can vary by store and product category.
- Initial Markdown: Typically 15-30% off the original price.
- Second Markdown: Usually 30-50% off.
- Final Markdown: Can be as high as 70-90% off.
It’s a gamble – waiting for further markdowns could mean the item sells out, but it could also mean saving even more money. It requires careful assessment of the item’s desirability and your willingness to risk losing it.
Tips and Tricks for Clearance Success
Finding the best clearance deals at Target requires a strategic approach. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to maximize your savings:
- Visit Frequently: Clearance inventory changes rapidly, so frequent visits increase your chances of finding new deals.
- Shop Off-Peak Hours: Weekday mornings and late evenings are typically less crowded, allowing you more time to browse the clearance sections.
- Scan Items with the Target App: The Target app allows you to scan items to see if they are on clearance and check their price history.
- Pay Attention to Red Stickers: Red stickers indicate clearance prices. Be sure to check the sticker for the original price and the markdown percentage.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask: Target employees can often provide information about upcoming markdowns or hidden clearance items.
- Check Endcaps and Back Walls: These areas are often used to display clearance merchandise.
- Be Patient: Finding the best clearance deals requires patience and persistence.
- Check Online: While this article focuses on in-store clearance, the Target website also has a clearance section.
Leveraging Target Circle for Additional Savings
Target Circle, Target’s loyalty program, offers a variety of benefits, including exclusive deals and discounts. Be sure to check the Target Circle app for any relevant offers that can be combined with clearance prices. You might find additional percentage-off discounts, category-specific savings, or personalized offers.
Using Target Circle offers in conjunction with clearance prices can result in significant savings. Don’t forget to scan your Target Circle barcode at checkout to redeem any applicable offers.
The Psychology of Clearance Shopping
Clearance shopping can be an exciting and addictive experience. The thrill of finding a great deal can be incredibly rewarding. However, it’s important to avoid impulse purchases and stick to your budget. Before buying anything on clearance, ask yourself if you truly need it and if it fits within your financial goals.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of clearance shopping and buy things you don’t need. By being mindful of your spending habits and sticking to a budget, you can enjoy the benefits of clearance shopping without overspending.
Staying Updated on Target’s Sales and Promotions
To stay informed about Target’s sales and promotions, consider signing up for their email list, following them on social media, and regularly checking their website. These channels often provide information about upcoming sales events, clearance events, and special offers.
Knowing about upcoming sales can help you plan your shopping trips and maximize your savings. Be sure to mark your calendar for major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Target Deal Days.
Clearance Across Seasons: What to Expect
Target’s clearance offerings shift dramatically with the seasons. Understanding these shifts can help you time your shopping trips for optimal savings.
Spring Clearance: Refresh and Renew
In spring, expect to find clearance on winter apparel, holiday decorations (from Christmas and New Year’s), and indoor home decor as Target makes way for brighter, warmer weather items. Lawn and garden supplies from the previous year also see discounts.
Summer Clearance: Warm Weather Blowout
Summer brings clearance on spring clothing, Easter items, and outdoor furniture as stores prepare for back-to-school and fall merchandise. Swimwear, sandals, and other warm-weather apparel are heavily discounted.
Fall Clearance: Prepare for Winter
Fall offers clearance on summer clothing, patio furniture, and back-to-school supplies. Halloween costumes and decorations hit clearance shortly after October 31st, making way for Thanksgiving and Christmas items.
Winter Clearance: Holiday Bonanza
Winter provides the biggest clearance opportunities. After Christmas, expect massive discounts on holiday decorations, wrapping paper, and gifts. Winter apparel and boots also see significant price drops as retailers prepare for spring collections.
Decoding Clearance Stickers: A Beginner’s Guide
Understanding the nuances of Target’s clearance stickers is essential for informed shopping. Here’s a breakdown of what you might encounter:
- Red Stickers: These signify a clearance item. The sticker usually displays the original price and the new, discounted price.
- Percentage Off: Some stickers will display a percentage off the original price instead of a specific dollar amount.
- “As Is”: This indicates that the item may have some damage or imperfections. Inspect these items carefully before purchasing, as they are often non-returnable.
- Price Ending in .06 or .08: Some believe prices ending in these numbers indicate that this is the lowest price and it will not be marked down again; however, this is not always true.
Navigating Target’s Website for Online Clearance
Target’s website offers a robust clearance section that complements the in-store experience. To access it, simply navigate to Target.com and look for the “Clearance” or “Sale” link in the main navigation menu. You can filter by category, price, and other criteria to narrow your search. Online clearance often includes items that are also available in stores, as well as online-exclusive deals. Shipping is often free for orders over a certain amount, or you can opt for in-store pickup to save on shipping costs.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Art of Target Clearance
Finding clearance deals at Target requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and a bit of luck. By understanding Target’s clearance practices, knowing where to look, and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can become a clearance-shopping pro and save money on a wide range of products. Happy hunting!
What is Target’s clearance system, and how is it different from regular sales?
Target’s clearance system, often referred to as “markdowns,” is a pricing strategy used to reduce inventory on items that are being discontinued, are seasonal, or have excess stock. Unlike regular sales, which are often promotional events with specific dates and advertised discounts across a product category, clearance items are individually marked down progressively until they sell. These markdowns can start at 15% or 30% off, and eventually reach as high as 70% or even 90% off the original price, offering substantial savings for savvy shoppers.
The key difference lies in the predictability and scope. Regular sales are often planned events with set discounts on specific items or product categories. Clearance, on the other hand, is a continuous process, and the availability and discount percentages on clearance items vary greatly by store, department, and even by item. This means finding the best clearance deals requires a bit more effort and vigilance, but the potential rewards are significantly greater.
Where are the most likely places to find hidden clearance at Target stores?
Target strategically places clearance items throughout the store, but some locations are known hotspots for hidden treasures. Endcaps (the displays at the end of aisles) are prime locations, often featuring discounted items that don’t fit neatly into the main product category. Additionally, look closely at the ends of aisles and underneath shelves, where items can sometimes be overlooked during routine restocking.
Don’t neglect to check the back of the store, particularly in areas where seasonal or promotional items are typically located. After a holiday or a specific promotional period, these areas often become clearance zones. Furthermore, keep an eye on the clothing and shoe departments, as clearance items are frequently mingled with regular priced merchandise, requiring a careful search to uncover the best deals.
How do Target price tags help in identifying and predicting further markdowns?
Target price tags contain valuable information for clearance hunters. Pay attention to the small number in the top right corner; this represents the markdown percentage. For instance, “15” indicates a 15% discount. Also, look for the initial price sticker underneath the current price, as this allows you to calculate the actual savings and gauge whether the markdown is significant enough to warrant a purchase.
Crucially, observe the last two numbers of the price before the decimal point. Prices ending in “06” or “08” are typically the first markdown, while prices ending in “04” are usually final clearance. This knowledge empowers you to predict future markdowns. If an item is at its first markdown with a “06” or “08” ending, you might consider waiting for a potential further reduction to the “04” final clearance price.
What are some essential tools and apps to use for Target clearance hunting?
The Target app is an indispensable tool for clearance hunting. Utilize the barcode scanner within the app to quickly check the price and availability of items, even if they don’t have a prominent price tag. The app also allows you to see if the item is available at a lower price at other nearby Target stores, potentially leading to an even better deal.
Beyond the Target app, consider using online communities and deal-sharing websites. These platforms often feature posts from fellow shoppers who have discovered exceptional clearance finds at their local stores. Checking these resources regularly can provide valuable insights into potential clearance trends and specific items to look for, saving you time and effort.
What days of the week are best for finding new Target clearance markdowns?
While Target doesn’t have a strict schedule, many experienced clearance hunters report that Tuesdays and Thursdays are often the best days to find new markdowns. These are the days when many Target stores update their inventory and adjust prices, including marking down items for clearance. However, the specific day can vary by department and store location.
Another strategy is to visit Target first thing in the morning. This allows you to be among the first shoppers to see any new markdowns before they’re picked over. It also provides you with a greater chance of finding hidden clearance items that may have been overlooked by other shoppers or store employees. Staying consistent in your visits will also reveal patterns unique to your local Target.
How can you maximize savings by combining clearance finds with other Target promotions?
One of the best ways to maximize savings at Target is by combining clearance finds with other promotions, such as Target Circle offers and manufacturer coupons. Before heading to the store, check the Target app and the Target Circle section for any relevant discounts or promotions that can be applied to clearance items. These extra savings can significantly reduce the final price.
Furthermore, don’t forget about Target’s RedCard. Using a Target RedCard gives you an automatic 5% discount on all purchases, including clearance items. This discount can be stacked with Target Circle offers and manufacturer coupons, leading to substantial savings. By strategically combining these various promotions, you can often acquire clearance items at incredibly low prices.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when hunting for clearance at Target?
One common mistake is assuming that all clearance items are good deals. Always compare the clearance price to the original price to determine the actual discount. Also, check the condition of the item carefully for any damage or defects before making a purchase, as clearance items are often sold “as is” and may not be returnable.
Another mistake is neglecting to check multiple Target stores. Clearance inventory varies significantly from store to store, so visiting a few different locations can increase your chances of finding exceptional deals. Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask a Target employee for assistance. They may be able to provide information on upcoming markdowns or point you toward hidden clearance sections.