How to Find Hidden In-Store Walmart Clearance: A Step-by-Step Guide

Walmart, known for its massive selection of products and competitive prices, often hides some of the best deals in its clearance sections. If you’re someone who loves to hunt for bargains, you’ve probably already scoured the obvious clearance aisles. However, Walmart clearance deals aren’t always where you’d expect them to be. Finding those hidden gems requires a bit of strategy, patience, and insider knowledge. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best strategies to uncover hidden in-store Walmart clearance deals.

1. Understand the Clearance Process at Walmart

Before diving into the strategies, it’s important to know how Walmart’s clearance process works.

• Seasonal Clearances: At the end of each season, Walmart clears out seasonal products, such as garden supplies, summer toys, or winter clothing. These items often get marked down to make room for new inventory.
• Markdowns & Price Tags: Walmart uses a complex system for markdowns that can vary from store to store. Items are often marked down multiple times before they are finally placed on the clearance aisle.
• Walmart’s “Rollback” Pricing: While not technically a clearance price, Walmart’s rollback pricing can also offer deep discounts on a wide range of items. These prices are temporary and may not always appear on the clearance aisle.

2. Use the Walmart App to Your Advantage

The Walmart app is a powerful tool for finding hidden clearance deals, especially because prices can vary between stores, and many items get marked down before they’re visibly moved to clearance aisles.

• Scan Barcodes: One of the best ways to uncover hidden deals is by using the Walmart app’s barcode scanning feature. Scan the barcode of an item you’re interested in, and the app will show you the current price, including whether the item is on clearance.Pro Tip: Sometimes, an item may still be on sale for full price in the store, but the app will show a discounted clearance price that you can bring to the register.
• Check for Local Price Differences: Prices can differ between Walmart locations due to regional demand, and certain stores may have more significant clearance markdowns than others. Using the app to compare local prices can help you decide which store is worth a visit.
• Set Alerts for Price Drops: The Walmart app allows you to set alerts for items you’re tracking. If an item’s price drops, you’ll be notified instantly. This can help you track items that are marked down but haven’t yet been moved to the clearance section.

3. Look Beyond the Clearance Aisle

Walmart’s clearance sections are often located in the back or side aisles of the store, but many shoppers make the mistake of thinking that all discounted products are in these areas. In reality, clearance items can be located in virtually every department. Here are a few sections you might overlook:

• Endcaps: These are the shelves at the end of aisles, and they often feature markdowns on seasonal or overstocks that are ready to be cleared out. You might find items like holiday decorations, overstocked toys, or even electronics in these areas.
• Hidden in Regular Aisles: Clearance items can be tucked between regular-priced products. This is particularly common with toys, home goods, and holiday items. Make sure to check product tags for any subtle markdowns.
• Hidden in Cart Displays: Occasionally, Walmart employees will clear out stock by placing markdowns in carts or baskets at the end of aisles. These items might not have their own dedicated clearance section but are still marked down for quick sale.
• Seasonal Sections: Even after the main seasonal clearance event (e.g., post-Christmas or post-Halloween), items may be scattered throughout other sections of the store. For example, you might find discounted outdoor furniture or BBQ supplies hidden in the garden section.

4. Learn the Timing of Markdowns

Walmart typically follows a weekly or bi-weekly schedule for markdowns, and knowing when these markdowns happen can be crucial for finding hidden deals.

• Midweek Restocks: Many Walmart stores restock and mark down items during the middle of the week, particularly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. If you visit on these days, you may find new clearance items that have been recently marked down but haven’t been moved to the clearance section yet.
• End of Month: At the end of each month, Walmart often does another round of markdowns to clear out older inventory before the new month starts. This is a great time to find markdowns on everything from electronics to home goods.
• Holiday-Driven Markdowns: After major holidays like Labor Day, Memorial Day, or Fourth of July, Walmart clears out holiday-related items like decorations, seasonal foods, and clothing. These items often end up in clearance sections or on special discount tables.

5. Know the Price Tags and Label Colors

Understanding Walmart’s price tag system can help you identify clearance deals quickly. Price tags often have different colors and symbols that indicate an item is on clearance.

• Clearance Price Tag Colors:
  • Red clearance tags often signify heavily discounted items.
  • Yellow or orange tags are frequently used for “Rollback” prices, which are temporary discounts.

  Tip: If you see a yellow clearance tag, it might indicate that an item is priced lower than it used to be, but the price could still be negotiable or subject to further markdowns. Red clearance tags are your best bet for final price reductions.

• Yellow Sticker for “Manager’s Specials”: These are often reserved for high-ticket items or items with slow-moving inventory. They are generally marked down significantly and can be found throughout the store.
• Price Ending in .00 or .88: A price that ends in .00 or .88 can indicate that it’s either a “last chance” markdown or part of a store-wide discount event.

6. Talk to Store Employees

Walmart employees can be an underutilized resource when it comes to finding hidden clearance deals. They often know exactly where clearance items are and may even alert you to specific deals that aren’t widely advertised.

• Ask for Help: If you’re looking for specific clearance items, don’t be afraid to ask an employee for assistance. They may direct you to hidden clearance areas or let you know if a particular product has been marked down recently.
• Check the Stock Room: If you’ve spotted an item on clearance in another store or online, ask if it’s available in the back stockroom. Some stores keep clearance items in the back before they’re placed on the sales floor.
• Ask About Additional Discounts: Occasionally, stores offer additional discounts on clearance items, particularly if they are looking to clear out stock quickly. Don’t be afraid to ask the manager if they can apply any additional markdowns to your items.

7. Look for Cartwheel Deals and Hidden Promotions

Walmart often runs “Cartwheel” deals (similar to Target’s Cartwheel app) and other store promotions that aren’t always advertised in-store. These deals may not be clearly labeled, so it’s essential to watch for these hidden promotions, especially on larger, high-ticket items like electronics, furniture, or appliances.

• Check for In-Store Coupons: Many Walmart stores have in-store coupon promotions that can be applied to clearance items. Look for coupon flyers near the clearance section or ask a store associate if any in-store coupons apply.
• Weekly Flyers: Walmart often advertises limited-time promotions and discounts on clearance items through weekly flyers or advertisements. These flyers may also be available in the app, and checking them regularly can give you insight into hidden deals.

8. Get Familiar with Store-Specific Practices

While Walmart operates as a nationwide chain, individual stores can have different clearance practices based on local demand, inventory levels, and staffing. For example, some Walmart locations may be more aggressive with markdowns, while others might hold off on discounting certain items for longer periods.

• Build a Relationship with Store Associates: If you become a regular customer at a particular Walmart store, associates may give you a heads-up when new clearance items are out or when markdowns happen. Additionally, some stores may provide regular customers with early access to clearance items.

Conclusion: Patience, Persistence, and Savvy Strategies

Finding hidden in-store Walmart clearance deals isn’t just about luck—it’s about strategy. By leveraging tools like the Walmart app, familiarizing yourself with the store layout, timing your visits, and using a keen eye for clearance labels, you can unlock amazing discounts on everything from everyday necessities to seasonal finds. Keep in mind that persistence and patience are key. The more frequently you visit and scan different departments, the better your chances of snagging hidden clearance gems before they’re gone.

Happy bargain hunting!