1. Stick to the outside walls of the store (perimeter) and always check the endcaps (ends of the aisle shelving). This is where all the markdown merchandise is usually relocated after the price is reduced. However, as you go around the outer aisles, peek down the aisles and look for clearance there too. This will save some time and steps.
2. Markdowns are typically done Monday thru Friday. It makes sense to hit Target on Tuesday since Monday’s are used to deal with the weekend returns and have time to work the markdowns for the week.
Monday – Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
Tuesday – Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
Wednesday – Men’s Clothing, Toys, Lawn & Garden, Health and Beauty items
Thursday – House Wares, Lingerie, Sporting Goods, Shoes, Music / Movies, Books, Decor and Luggage
Friday – Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry
3. Markdowns take place every 2 weeks. Target will continue to mark down unsold clearance merchandise every two weeks until sold. After that you can bet the clearance merchandise will end up at your local Goodwill Store.
5. Check near the dressing rooms for carts of opened or unused items from nearby departments, etc. Every store will have its own little spots for great deals of shopworn merchandise.
6. Know how to read markdown stickers. These are the little orange stickers like in the picture with this post. The original price at the top right corner plus a code: 15A, 30A, etc. This is markdown percentage.
Holiday Deals – Target always slashes prices on seasonal merchandise.
Clothing prices drop like a rock during their after-holiday clearance. Look for seasonal t-shirts and sweatshirts and get huge discounts.
Their holiday markdown schedule is usually as follows:
(Note: Christmas markdowns tend to be larger to start)
50% off the day after holiday for three days
75% off the fourth day after holiday for three days
90% off the seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days.
Cautionary notes about Target shopping:
If you find an item at 75% off, and you want it, don’t let it get away!
Target rarely marks non-holiday items down past 75%
If it the price ends in the number 4, it is probably your last chance to buy.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
In a perfect world, the markdowns for Toys would be done on Wednesdays and you should find them marked down on the same day or at least the next. There are no guarantees and all of the info should be taken as a general guideline. Visiting the store often enough should help you discern how the store in your area is managing their markdowns. Stores have different shifts so there is no way to know if the markdowns will be done early in the day or later in the day. You’ll have to do your own research by either visiting the stores, calling about the price of an item, getting to know one of the employees you see working often and asking them what to expect in your store.
Everything I post on this blog is to be used as a guide and not as info that is written in store and not subject to change. You can imagine that with 800+ stores, the huge list of variables from everything to weather to illness it is impossible to predict exactly what will happen on a single store in a single day in a single department.
If you read to the end of this post you’ll see that if an item is priced and it ends in a 4, it is the last markdown.
Sorry I can’t give you concrete answers. It is totally impossible.
Ginger
So if I want to find great deals on toys I should go Wednesday? Or do the markdowns happen at the end of Wednesday and it’s better to go on Thursday? Also, I once read that you can tell how many markdowns an item has had by the digit in the tens place. For example, if an item is $3.98, it’s only been marked down once but if it’s $3.08 then it won’t be marked down any further. Do you have any clue if this is a valid rule? Or do you have any other hints about markdowns? Thanks!