5 Target Summer Clearance Secrets Savvy Shoppers Should Know — Save Up to 70%
These days, Target has become a frequent summer pit stop. You’re spending as much time at Target as you are at the beach — and, ooh, speaking of, you need more sunscreen — and you’d like to see lower totals on your receipt.
While you could wait for big sales, there’s a savvier approach to saving money: knowing the secrets of Target’s clearance sales.
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Understanding how to unlock greater bargains from Target’s clearance sales can help you level up as a shopper while lowering the amount you spend. Call us Lara Croft, because MoneyLion went into adventuring mode to research the not-so-mysterious secrets of Target clearance.
The Best Target Buys for the Money Right Now
1. Target Follows a Loose Weekly Markdown Schedule
By now, you’ve probably figured out that Target doesn’t mark everything down at once. Discounts roll out across departments during the week, so it’s essential to time your visit to get the deals you want.
When Groupon investigated how to maximize savings at Target, the site identified which days of the week are widely rumored to correlate with specific discounts:
Monday: Electronics, kids’ clothing, books
Tuesday: Women’s clothing and home goods
Wednesday: Men’s clothing and beauty
Thursday: Shoes, toys, housewares
Friday: Auto, hardware, cosmetics
Groupon added that most markdowns happen early in the morning. If you want the best selection before other deal hunters hit the aisles, you might want to grab your iced coffee and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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2. Clearance Prices Drop in Predictable Stages
Though you’re tempted to grab an item as soon as it hits clearance, you might save even more if you wait. Since Target uses a tiered markdown system, that first clearance sticker usually isn’t the best price.
Writing for ConsumerAffairs, reporter Kyle James broke down the typical pattern of the sales cycle:
15% to 30% off (first markdown)
50% off (mid-cycle)
70%+ off (clearance sweet spot)
Up to 90% off (final markdown, mostly seasonal)
“Look at the little number in the upper-right corner of the clearance price sticker; it will read 15, 30, 50, 70 or 90. That’s the percent off the original price,” James wrote. “That tells you where the item is in the markdown process.”
James advised that if you see a lot of inventory marked at 15% or 30%, you’d be wise to wait a week or two for prices to get knocked down further.
3. The Best Deals Hit During Seasonal Transitions
If you’ve ever wondered why certain items go on sale at seemingly odd times — who wants holiday cards early in the new year? — you should know these discounts are anything but random.
In an article for SimplyCodes, AI content strategist Sean Fisher shared that the deepest discounts almost always line up with end-of-season resets. He identified a few core patterns:
Late summer (August-September): patio furniture, outdoor gear
Back-to-school turnover: backpacks, kids’ apparel
Post-holiday clearance: toys, décor, gift items
End-of-season clothing: major apparel discounts
Since clearance cycles are generally driven by inventory turnover, items can be heavily discounted when stores need shelf space for new products.
4. Online and In-Store Clearance Sales Aren’t Created Equally
Sometimes, you just prefer to shop from the comfort of home instead of heading to a store. That decision could be consequential for your wallet. According to Free Stuff Finder, if you’re searching for better Target clearance deals, you’re better off shopping in-store.
“While Target.com offers an online clearance section, discounts rarely exceed 50%, and most items don’t surpass 30% off,” the site said. “For example, earlier this year when Target Easter clearance items in-store hit 70% off, the same items online were discounted at only 15% off.”
5. Learn the Markdown Schedule at Your Local Store
While there may be some general trends among Target stores, Free Stuff Finder also noted that local stores may deviate from those patterns and develop schedules of their own. Keep your eyes peeled for trends at your particular store and shop accordingly.
The Bottom Line
Getting the best clearance deals at Target isn’t a matter of luck — it’s all about strategy. Choosing the right days to shop, timing your purchases to score the biggest discounts and understanding your local store’s patterns can make a big difference in how much you save.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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