Target Clearance & Markdown Schedule
📅 Target Clearance & Markdown Schedule
Know exactly when to shop for maximum savings
🗓️ Weekly Markdown Schedule
Most Target stores follow this markdown pattern. Markdowns typically happen overnight, so shop early morning for best selection!
Monday
- Kids Clothing
- Baby Items
- Baby Food
- Electronics
- Books
- Stationery
Tuesday
- Women's Clothing
- Home Decor
- Domestics (bedding)
- Pet Supplies
- Diapers
- Market (food)
Wednesday
- Men's Clothing
- Shoes
- Lingerie
- Sleepwear
- Health & Beauty
- Lawn & Garden
Thursday
- Jewelry
- Accessories
- Housewares
- Kitchen Items
- Luggage
Friday
- Cosmetics
- Automotive
- Hardware
- Toys
- Seasonal Items
Saturday
- Sporting Goods
- Outdoor Toys
- Games
- Movies
- Music
Sunday
New weekly ad starts - no markdowns typically
💡 Important Note:
This schedule varies by store location! Track your local Target for 2-3 weeks to confirm the pattern. Some stores may markdown different categories on different days.
📉 How Clearance Markdowns Progress
Understanding the markdown cycle helps you decide when to buy or wait for deeper discounts.
| Discount Level | When It Happens | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| 15% OFF | Initial markdown (Week 1) | Wait unless it's a must-have item |
| 30% OFF | Second markdown (Week 2-3) | Good deal, but can go lower |
| 50% OFF | Third markdown (Week 3-4) | Sweet spot - buy popular items now |
| 70% OFF | Fourth markdown (Week 4-6) | Excellent deal - limited selection |
| 90% OFF | Final markdown (rare) | Best deal but very limited stock |
🎯 The 50% Rule:
For items you really want, buy at 50% off. For items you can live without, wait for 70% off. Seasonal items often hit 70-90% off but selection is picked over.
📆 Annual Seasonal Clearance Calendar
Plan your shopping around these major clearance events throughout the year.
🎄 January
50% off → 70% off → 90% off progression over 2-3 weeks
Best Buys: Wrapping paper, decorations, artificial trees, holiday baking supplies, gift sets
Coats, boots, sweaters, scarves - up to 70% off
💝 February
50% off immediately, 70% off within days
Best Buys: Candy, stuffed animals, home decor, gift bags
Last chance for winter items at 70-90% off
🌸 March
50% off → 70% off → 90% off within 2 weeks
Best Buys: Candy, baskets, spring decor, outdoor items
🌻 April-May
Making room for summer - 50-70% off
Early season items marked down - 30-50% off
☀️ June
Pool toys, outdoor games - 30-50% off mid-season
Party supplies, dorm items - 50-70% off after graduation season
🎆 July
50% off → 70% off within days
Best Buys: Patriotic decor, summer entertaining, outdoor items
Making room for fall - 50-70% off
📚 August
School supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes - 50-70% off
Pro Tip: Stock up for next year!
Last summer items hit 70-90% off
🎃 September-October
50% off → 70% off → 90% off within 1-2 weeks
Best Buys: Candy, costumes, decorations, party supplies
Pro Tip: Buy costumes for next year at 90% off!
🦃 November
Leftover Black Friday items marked down 30-50%
Thanksgiving items - 50-70% off after holiday
🎅 December
Week before Christmas - 30-50% off select toys and gifts
The biggest clearance event of the year!
Timeline: 50% off (Dec 26) → 70% off (Dec 28-30) → 90% off (Early Jan)
⏰ Best Times to Shop Clearance
Time of Day:
- 8-10 AM: Best selection right after overnight markdowns
- 10 AM - 2 PM: Weekday mornings have fewer shoppers
- Avoid 5-7 PM: After-work rush, picked-over clearance
- Avoid Weekends: More shoppers = less clearance selection
Day of Week:
🎯 The Early Bird Strategy:
Shop the morning of your category's markdown day. For example, if you want women's clothing (Tuesday markdowns), shop Tuesday at 8 AM for first pick of newly marked items.
Time of Month:
- First Week: Fresh markdowns, best selection
- Mid-Month: Second round of markdowns (30-50% off)
- End of Month: Final markdowns (70-90% off) but limited stock
✅ Clearance Shopping Checklist
Before You Go:
- ☐ Check Target app for current deals and Circle offers
- ☐ Note your store's markdown day for desired categories
- ☐ Plan to arrive at store opening (8 AM most locations)
- ☐ Bring reusable bags (save 5¢ each)
- ☐ Ensure RedCard is in wallet/app for extra 5% off
At the Store:
- ☐ Scan items with app to check real clearance price
- ☐ Check all endcaps in every aisle
- ☐ Visit dedicated clearance sections in each department
- ☐ Look behind displays and on top shelves
- ☐ Check seasonal area for deepest discounts
- ☐ Ask employees about items marked "See Team Member"
- ☐ For .04 endings, ask when next markdown happens
- ☐ For .00/.01 endings, ask manager for additional discount
Before Checkout:
- ☐ Activate all relevant Circle offers in app
- ☐ Check for manufacturer coupons to stack
- ☐ Verify clearance prices scan correctly
- ☐ Use RedCard for additional 5% off
- ☐ Bring reusable bags for 5¢ discount per bag
🏪 Store-Specific Clearance Tips
Not All Targets Are Equal!
Clearance inventory varies dramatically by location:
High-Income Area Targets:
- More clearance items (faster turnover)
- Better selection of premium brands on clearance
- Items may hit deeper discounts faster
College Town Targets:
- Huge dorm/apartment clearance in late August
- Less competition during summer months
- Great for furniture and home goods clearance
Suburban Targets:
- Best for kids/baby clearance
- Excellent toy clearance after holidays
- More family-focused clearance items
💡 Multi-Store Strategy:
If you have multiple Targets nearby, check them all! One store's clearance is completely different from another, even in the same city. Use the app to check inventory at different locations.
🎯 Master the Clearance Schedule!
Bookmark this page and check it before every Target trip to never miss a markdown!
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