As a retail industry expert and longtime Target shopper, I know that choosing the right time to visit this popular big box store can make or break your shopping experience. With 1,897 stores across the U.S. and 30 million weekly customers, Target aisles can get congested fast, especially during peak hours. And while Target promises "expect more, pay less" with its low prices and frequent sales, you don‘t want to shop when deals are scarce or items are flying off shelves.
So what are the best times to shop at Target to score the biggest discounts, find fully stocked shelves, and avoid crowds of fellow bargain-hunters? I dug into the data and picked the brains of retail experts to bring you the ultimate guide on exactly when to plan your Target runs for an optimal experience.
Whether you‘re a Target newbie or a veteran SuperTarget navigator, these insider tips will help you save more money (and sanity!) on every Target shopping trip. Let‘s dive in!
Target‘s Foot Traffic Patterns, Explained
First, let‘s look at some data on when Target stores tend to be the busiest and emptiest. According to foot traffic analytics firm Placer.ai, Target‘s peak shopping hours are between 12pm and 5pm on weekends, with crowds starting to build by 11am and tapering off around 7pm. Weekdays see a smaller midday rush between 12pm and 3pm.
Here‘s a breakdown of Target‘s average foot traffic by hour on weekdays vs. weekends:
| Hour | Weekday Traffic | Weekend Traffic |
|---|---|---|
| 8am-9am | Low | Medium |
| 9am-11am | Low | Medium-High |
| 11am-12pm | Low-Medium | High |
| 12pm-3pm | Medium | Very High |
| 3pm-5pm | Medium | Very High |
| 5pm-7pm | Medium | High |
| 7pm-9pm | Low-Medium | Medium-High |
| 9pm-10pm | Low | Medium |
Source: Placer.ai 2021 Target Foot Traffic Data
As you can see, weekend afternoons are by far the busiest times at Target, while weekday mornings and nights see much sparser crowds. Keith Anderson, a retail strategy expert at Digital.ai, explains that this pattern is common at most big box stores:
"Retailers like Target see the biggest traffic spikes on weekends when most people are off work and have time for longer stock-up shopping trips. Weekday traffic is more concentrated around the lunch hour and early evening after the typical 9-5 work day. Mornings and later evenings are quieter, as are mid-week days in general."
So if your goal is to shop Target when it‘s least hectic, Anderson recommends going early in the morning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. "Aim to arrive within the first hour or two after opening—that‘s when you‘ll encounter the fewest people and the most organized shelves at Target."
When Are Target Shelves Most Stocked?
Speaking of organized shelves, it also helps to know Target‘s restocking schedule if you want to shop the best selection. Most Target stores receive daily shipments and restock items overnight, between 12am and 6am.
"Our team works diligently to refresh merchandise and fill shelves in the early morning hours before guests arrive, to ensure the best product availability," said a Target spokesperson. Stores are also typically restocked mid-day as needed.
However, restocking frequency can vary by product category. High-turnover departments like Market, Beauty, and Electronics tend to be replenished daily at most stores, while apparel and home decor may only be restocked a few times per week.
If there‘s a specific item on your list, Anderson suggests doing a quick online stock check before heading to the store. "Target.com and the Target app now show real-time local inventory for most products. If you see it‘s out of stock or low stock at your store, wait a day or two if possible for the next restock."
You can also call your local Target‘s Guest Services desk to inquire about the best days and times to find a certain product in stock. "Most stores receive shipments 3-4 times per week, often on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings," said Anderson. "The team can usually tell you if they‘re expecting a restock soon."
Target‘s Markdown Schedule for Maximum Savings
Now that you know when to shop for the smallest crowds and fullest shelves at Target, let‘s talk about how to find the biggest discounts. It turns out Target follows a semi-regular markdown schedule for certain departments—here‘s what goes on sale when:
- Monday: Electronics, Kids‘ Clothing, Baby Gear, Books, Stationery
- Tuesday: Women‘s Clothing, Domestics, Pets, Market (Food Items)
- Wednesday: Men‘s Clothing, Health & Beauty, Lawn & Garden, Furniture
- Thursday: Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Toys, Sporting Goods, Luggage
- Friday: Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, Jewelry
These department-specific deals are when you‘re most likely to find red clearance stickers offering discounts of 30-70% off. "If you‘re interested in certain categories, like clothing or home goods, try to shop on the corresponding markdown day to score the best selection," said Sara Skirboll, a shopping expert at RetailMeNot.
However, Target‘s clearance deals can be unpredictable and vary widely by store. You may find a pristine patio set for 50% one day, then see nothing good the next week.
To stay in the loop on the latest Target sales, Skirboll suggests regularly scanning the clearance sections (usually located in the back of the store) and checking the Top Deals tab in the Target app. "Following Target fan accounts on social media is also a great way to get a heads up on new markdowns and hidden gems!"
How to Spot a Good Deal at Target
A big red clearance tag can be exciting, but it doesn‘t necessarily mean you‘re getting the best possible price on an item.
"Don‘t assume a clearance price is a rock bottom price—it could drop even further if it doesn‘t sell through quickly," warned Skirboll. She recommends monitoring prices on Target.com or using a price tracking app like CamelCamelCamel to gauge a product‘s price history.
There are other ways to determine if a Target deal is worthwhile:
- Compare prices to other retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy to see if Target has the lowest price.
- For Target-owned brands, look at the price per unit or ounce to assess the value. Target private label items are often cheaper than name brands.
- Check if the item qualifies for any Target Circle offers, gift card promotions, or rebates to lower the price even more.
- See if you can stack a store coupon or manufacturer coupon with the sale price. Target allows combining one of each coupon type per item.
- Read reviews to determine the quality and see if the product is worth the price. A rock bottom price on a dud is no deal at all.
If you spot a great price at a competitor, Skirboll notes that Target will price match "everything from groceries to gym equipment" if you show proof at the register or Target.com during checkout. Qualifying competitors include Amazon, Costco, Kohl‘s, Macy‘s, Walgreens, and several others.
How to Save Even More on Every Target Run
Besides strategically timing your shopping trips to line up with Target‘s sales schedules and restocking patterns, there are several other ways to maximize your Target savings year-round:
Join Target Circle
It‘s free to sign up for Target‘s loyalty program, and members earn 1% back on every purchase to redeem later. You‘ll also get personalized deals, a birthday gift, and special perks like votes to direct Target‘s community giving initiatives.
"Target Circle also unlocks ‘Circle Bonus‘ offers like a $20 gift card when you spend $100 on Shipt grocery delivery. It pays to check the app for promos before placing any Target order," said Skirboll.
Use a RedCard
Target‘s RedCard credit and debit cards give you an instant 5% off every purchase, free shipping on Target.com, and extra time for returns. "If you do a lot of Target shopping, the RedCard discount can really add up, especially on big ticket items," said Anderson.
Download the Target app
The Target app makes it easy to keep all your Circle offers in one place, check prices and availability while you shop, place orders for same-day pickup or delivery, and more. "It basically turns your phone into a Target shopping assistant," said Skirboll.
Bring a Price Match
As mentioned earlier, Target will price match competitors if you show proof of a lower price on an identical item. "It never hurts to do a quick Google search on your phone while you shop to compare prices. If you find a better deal elsewhere, just show it to the cashier," said Anderson.
Stack Coupons and Promos
"Target allows shoppers to combine a store coupon, a manufacturer coupon, and a Circle offer on a single item—a ‘Triple Stack‘ in couponer lingo," said Skirboll. Before you shop, browse sites like Coupons.com and SmartSource for printable and digital manufacturer coupons to stack with Target sales.
Shop Target‘s Annual Sales
Mark your calendar for Target‘s biggest sale events throughout the year for deep discounts:
- January: Winter Clearance Sale
- January & July: Semi-Annual Baby Sale
- March: Spring Cleaning & Spring Break Sales
- April: Earth Day & Easter Sales
- May: Memorial Day Sale
- June-July: Fourth of July & Black Friday in July Sales
- July-August: Back to School & College Sales
- September: Summer Clearance & Labor Day Sales
- October: Columbus Day & Halloween Sales
- November: Pre-Black Friday, Black Friday, Cyber Monday Sales
- December: Green Monday, Last-Minute Holiday Sales, After-Christmas Clearance
"If you can brave the crowds, shopping Target‘s holiday and end of season sales can uncover huge savings on everything from electronics to apparel," said Skirboll.
Be a Savvy Clearance Shopper
If you spot a Target clearance price that ends in $0.06 or $0.08, that‘s a sign the item may get marked down again. "Most Target markdowns start at 30% off, then drop to 50% off, and finally 70% off. Prices ending in $0.06 or $0.08 indicate the item is in that ‘middle‘ 50% off phase," explained Anderson.
Clearance items are also more likely to be priced as-is if they‘re missing a tag, box, or have visible wear. "You can always ask a manager for a discount on floor models or open box items. The worst they can say is no," said Skirboll.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Shopping at Target
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed in-store shopping over the past 18 months, and Target is no exception. In light of emerging variants, some shoppers may feel more comfortable visiting Target during off-peak hours to limit potential exposure.
"If COVID safety is a concern, try shopping at Target right when it opens on a weekday morning for the least crowded environment. Early morning hours are also when the store is cleanest after the overnight team has disinfected carts, baskets, and high-touch surfaces," said Anderson.
Target has also expanded its contactless same-day services in response to the pandemic—you can now get Drive Up pickup, in-store Order Pickup, and same-day delivery via Shipt at most stores.
"These digital options are extremely popular with guests looking to save time or limit trips inside the store. Target‘s 2021 Q1 earnings showed digital sales have exploded 50% year-over-year," said Anderson.
If you do go inside a Target store, the company still asks unvaccinated guests to mask up, though proof of vaccination is not required. Some stores may also have purchase limits on in-demand items and social distancing measures in place.
The Bottom Line
Whether you prefer to shop Target in-store or online, on weekdays or weekends, there are plenty of ways to save time and money at this go-to retailer. The key is to be strategic about when you shop and to leverage Target‘s many savings programs and tools.
For the best selection and smallest crowds, shop Target early in the morning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Check the clearance sections and Top Deals tab in the Target app to catch the latest markdowns. Don‘t forget to join Target Circle for extra coupons and promos to stack on top of sale prices.
If you want to avoid the store altogether, take advantage of Target‘s free Drive Up pickup and same-day delivery options to get your Target haul with just a few taps on your phone.
By timing your trips right and maximizing Target‘s savings opportunities, you can be a deal-finding, crowd-dodging shopping ninja in no time. Happy deal hunting!
