Walmart is known for its "everyday low prices," but smart shoppers know there‘s an even better way to save at the retail giant. Hidden clearance items, tucked away in secret spots throughout the store, can net you savings of 50-90% off regular prices.
"Walmart doesn‘t exactly shout about these incredible deals from the rooftops," says Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping.com. "Stores are very hush-hush about hidden clearance. They don‘t put up big signs or balloons pointing to the markdowns."
Perhaps that‘s because Walmart wants to maintain its low-price image while still offloading excess and discontinued stock. "Clearance is a way for Walmart to clear out inventory without being too in-your-face about deep discounting, which goes against their everyday low price motto," says Joanie Demer, co-founder of TheKrazyCouponLady.com.
The good news for deal hunters? With a little persistence and these insider hacks, you can uncover amazing deals hiding in plain sight. On average, hidden clearance prices are 40-60% off regular retail, but it‘s possible to find even bigger bargains. Some shoppers have scored 75% off small appliances, 80% off furniture, or 90% off holiday items.
Where to Look for Hidden Clearance in Walmart Stores
Clearanced items can be lurking just about anywhere in Walmart, but certain parts of the store tend to be more fruitful hunting grounds. When you‘re on the prowl for hidden deals, focus your search on:
- End caps: The shelves at the end of each aisle are prime real estate for clearance merchandise. Scan top and bottom shelves thoroughly for yellow "Reduced Price" tags.
- Back of the store: Clearanced large furniture items, rugs, and bulky seasonal products are often shoved in the far back corners of the store to free up space.
- Apparel section: Clothing clearance racks can be goldmines, especially for out-of-season items. Look for separate racks or hidden tags mixed in with regularly priced apparel.
- Holiday displays: Seasonal merchandise like Christmas decorations, Valentine‘s Day candy, and Easter basket stuffers can hit 90% off if you wait until a week after the holiday to shop.
It‘s not unusual to find clearanced items in seemingly random places. Grocery products might be wedged in the shampoo aisle, or lightbulbs could be lurking by the dog food. Get in the habit of scanning shelves and end caps as you navigate the whole store.
"Make sure to walk up and down each aisle and look at the top and bottom shelves," advises Melea Johnson, owner of FreebiesandDeals.com. "This is where most clearance items are hiding in plain sight."
What to Look for on Walmart Clearance Price Tags
At Walmart, clearance items are marked with rectangular yellow stickers that say "Reduced Price" or "Clearance." These tags will display the discounted price as well as the original retail price and the percentage saved.
However, what many shoppers don‘t realize is that the cent amount on the yellow tag actually signals the likelihood of further markdowns. Here‘s how to decipher these "hidden clearance codes":
- Prices ending in $0.00: This is a full-price item and not a clearance deal.
- Prices ending in $0.97: This is the first markdown on a clearance item. The price probably won‘t drop further.
- Prices ending in $0.95: This signals a "Reduced Price" item. The price may or may not drop again.
- Prices ending in $0.50 or $0.00: This is the "middle" markdown on a clearance item. The price will likely be cut again.
- Prices ending in $0.01: This is the final markdown on a clearance item. The price won‘t go any lower.
"Most people don‘t know about this, but Walmart generally follows this pricing method," says Demer. "If you see something on clearance and the price ends in a 5, it will likely go down again. But once it hits a 1, that‘s usually the lowest it will go."
Of course, just because a price ends in $0.50 or $0.00 doesn‘t mean you should always hold out for a bigger discount. Clearance items are typically limited in quantity, so if it‘s something you really want or need, it may be smarter to go ahead and buy at 50% off than risk it being gone when you come back.
When to Shop for Walmart Hidden Clearance
Timing your shopping trips right can dramatically increase your odds of snagging hidden clearance deals. Here‘s a cheat sheet on when different types of inventory are most likely to get marked down:
- Seasonal items: Walmart slashes prices on seasonal merchandise as soon as the holiday is over. For the best selection, shop the day after Christmas, Valentine‘s Day, Easter, Halloween, etc. For the lowest possible prices, wait 3-5 days after the holiday.
- Electronics: Walmart typically does electronics markdowns on the first and third Tuesday of every month. New tech gadgets that didn‘t sell over the holidays get discounted in January and February.
- Toys: Aside from the obvious post-Christmas toy clearance, Walmart tends to lower prices on toys in late January/early February and in August during back-to-school season.
- Home goods: January is a big clearance month for bedding, bath items, small appliances, and organizing supplies as Walmart makes room for spring inventory. Patio furniture generally gets marked down in August.
- Apparel: Walmart runs end-of-season apparel clearance in January and July. The best deals on coats, sweaters, and other winter clothing emerge in late February, while swimsuits and shorts hit rock-bottom prices in August.
These general timelines can vary somewhat by store and region. If you‘re serious about clearance shopping, it‘s worth getting to know the markdown schedule at your local Walmart.
"Develop a relationship with department managers and ask them when they do their markdowns," suggests Jolyn Carlson, owner of FrugalFamilyTree.com. "Most stores follow a similar schedule from week to week, so if you learn their pattern, you can be one of the first to find new hidden clearance."
Expert Tips for Maximizing Walmart Hidden Clearance Savings
Ready to become a Walmart clearance ninja? Follow these hacks to score the biggest possible discounts:
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Check prices on Brickseek before you shop in-store. This online inventory checking tool can tip you off to hidden clearance deals at specific Walmart locations.
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Scan every clearance tag with the Walmart app. "A good 90% of clearance items are actually cheaper in the app than what‘s on the sticker," says Demer. "If the app price is lower, an associate can adjust the price at the register."
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Look for "as is" tags. Merchandise with damaged packaging or missing pieces gets marked down to ridiculous lows. "I once bought a $200 car seat for $19 because the box was beat up," says Carlson. "It was still brand new!"
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Know the difference between "Clearance" and "Rollback" tags. Rollback prices are temporary sale prices, not clearance markdowns. "If you see that Rollback flag, don‘t expect the price to drop further like it would on Clearance," advises Demer.
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Think beyond Walmart.com. If you find a killer price on a hidden clearance item in the Walmart app, see if other retailers will match it. "I price match Walmart hidden clearance to Amazon all the time and get some really great deals," says Johnson.
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Follow your store‘s clearance schedule. Most Walmart stores do markdowns on Monday or Friday, but sometimes Thursday is a big markdown day too. Get to know your location‘s pattern and time your trips accordingly.
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Don‘t sleep on the dollar bins. The $1-$5 aisles at the front of the store can yield major hidden gems, like school supplies, kitchen gadgets, and drugstore essentials. These bargain bins are often a dumping ground for discontinued inventory.
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Watch for "spot clearance" on Wednesdays. Department managers tend to walk the aisles mid-week to make space for new products. You might happen upon a cart full of brand-new markdowns in the middle of the aisle.
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Get social. Many avid deal-hunters post their latest Walmart scores on Instagram and TikTok. Zero in on local clearance finders in your area by searching hashtags like #WalmartClearance, #WalmartHiddenClearance, and #WalmartDeals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walmart Hidden Clearance
Still have burning questions about finding secret deals at Walmart? We‘ve got answers to the most common head-scratchers:
Q: Are all Walmart clearance deals available online?
A: No. Many hidden clearance items are in-store only, especially if inventory is very limited. Always check the Walmart app and website to compare prices, but be prepared to visit your local store to snag the best bargains.
Q: Can I get a Walmart clearance price adjustment if I buy something that gets marked down further?
A: Usually, no. Walmart‘s policy is that they will only price match an identical, in-stock item from certain online competitors – not their own prices. The exception is if you catch a price drop within 24 hours of purchase. In that case, you may be able to get a price adjustment by visiting the store with your receipt.
Q: The Walmart app is showing a lower price than what I‘m seeing in store. What should I do?
A: Ask an associate for help. They can look up the item in their handheld scanner and verify the current price. If the app price is indeed lower, the associate can adjust the price at checkout. Be prepared to show them the app listing in case there‘s any confusion.
Q: Why do Walmart clearance prices vary so much by store?
A: Walmart gives individual store managers a lot of power to decide what items to mark down and how low to go. Clearance is largely driven by what‘s overstocked or underselling at a particular location. That‘s why the hidden deals at your neighborhood Walmart could be completely different from what‘s on offer 10 miles away.
With a bit of savvy shopping and a willingness to treasure hunt, you can unearth jaw-dropping deals in Walmart‘s hidden clearance troves. These ultra-low prices aren‘t advertised loudly, so it‘s up to you to put in the legwork to find them. But if you‘re willing to play detective, the potential savings in every department are more than worth the effort. Happy deal hunting!
