Walmart Clearance Secrets: How To Score Big Savings

Scoring amazing Walmart clearance deals isn’t luck—it’s a repeatable system anyone can learn.

In this guide, you’ll get practical strategies, insider timing tips, and smart tools to help you find markdowns both in-store and online—without spending hours hunting.

How Walmart Clearance Works

Walmart runs several types of discounts, but clearance is where the deepest markdowns often live. Rollbacks are temporary price reductions funded by Walmart or brands, while clearance is markdown-to-sell, usually signaled by bright yellow or red tags and endcaps labeled “Clearance.” These items may be discontinued, overstocked, or seasonal, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Clearance pricing can differ between stores and online. The Walmart Clearance page is great for web-only deals, while in-store clearance often hides on endcaps, back-of-aisle shelves, and in the garden/seasonal area. Use the free Walmart app for iOS or Android to scan barcodes in-store—prices in the app reflect that store’s current system price. You’ll often find that an item is marked higher on the shelf than it scans in the app—that’s your cue to grab it.

Markdowns typically happen in waves. Many stores take initial markdowns mid-week and deeper cuts near month-end or right after major shopping events. Seasonal clearance follows a predictable curve (e.g., 30% → 50% → 70%+ as the season ends). Store managers have discretion, so timing can vary, but learning your store’s rhythm pays off.

Pro Tips to Score the Best Walmart Clearance Deals

1) Master the app and “hidden clearance” opportunities

Scan everything: Shelf tags are often outdated. If the app shows a lower price for your store, that’s typically the price you’ll pay at checkout.
Check variants: Different colors/sizes can have different markdowns. Scan multiple UPCs for the same item—one variant may be 70% off while others are full price.
Use store selection: In the app, set your store to compare prices across nearby locations. Prices can vary significantly.

2) Know where clearance hides

Endcaps and back aisles: Look for yellow-tag endcaps near electronics, toys, and housewares. The far back of departments often holds overstock clearance.
Seasonal and garden center: After holidays, you’ll see big drops on décor, lights, patio items, and lawn & garden.
Electronics cage and locked cases: Ask an associate to check the current price on clearance-labeled gadgets, headphones, or accessories.

3) Track inventory and local availability

Use third-party tools like BrickSeek’s Walmart Inventory Checker to get a ballpark of local stock and pricing by SKU/UPC. Treat this as directional—store counts aren’t guaranteed.
On Walmart.com, filter by “Pickup” or “Pickup today” to see items tied to your store, then confirm by scanning in the app in person.

4) Time your visits

Mid-week mornings often catch newly marked items before weekend crowds.
End-of-month and post-event periods (after back-to-school, Prime Day-style sales, and holidays) bring deeper waves of markdowns.
Right after holidays (think Dec 26, Nov 1, Feb 15) is prime time for 50–90% off seasonal goods.

5) Stack smart savings

Cashback portals: When shopping online, start at a cashback site (e.g., Rakuten) when available for an extra percent back on clearance purchases.
Walmart+: Holidays often include early access events for members and free shipping benefits. Explore Walmart+ if you shop frequently.
Gift card hacks: Use discounted gift cards (from reputable marketplaces) to cut another 3–10% off your total—just be sure to buy from trustworthy sources.

Online Walmart Clearance: Filters, Alerts, and Price Drops

Start at the official Walmart Clearance hub, then use filters (department, price, brand, ratings) to narrow quickly. Sort by “Price: low to high” or “Rollback & clearance” to surface the best value. Check seller info—Walmart.com includes marketplace sellers; if you prefer Walmart-sold items for easier returns, filter by “Sold & shipped by Walmart.”

For high-interest items, open the product page and look for “Get in-stock alert” or “Save for later” to track interest. Consider adding items to your cart and monitoring for price drops—clearance items sometimes get additional reductions as stock dwindles. If you’re near multiple stores, set different local stores in the app to compare availability and pricing.

Holiday Clearance and Seasonal Deal Strategy

Walmart’s holiday periods—especially Black Friday and Cyber Monday—are anchored by doorbusters, but the real clearance treasure often comes before and after the big days. Here’s how to capitalize:

Pre-holiday early access: Walmart frequently runs early waves of Black Friday-style deals and member early access. Watch the event hub and consider Walmart+ for early shopping windows.
Strategic store visits: Visit the day after major holidays (e.g., 12/26, 11/1, 2/15, 7/5). Seasonal merchandise like décor, candy, gift sets, lights, and wrapping gear often moves quickly from 30% off to 70–90% within a week.
Toys and electronics timing: Toys see aggressive markdowns in late December and early January. Electronics accessories (cables, cases, prior-year gadgets) often drop right after gift returns surge.
Bundle gift sets: Beauty, bath, and gourmet food gift sets are hot gifts pre-holiday and clearance gold post-holiday. Scan them in the app—prices can plunge more than the shelf tag shows.
Online restocks and returns: After holidays, watch Walmart.com for open-box or returned inventory that gets repriced on clearance. Refresh saved items for sudden drops.

For Cyber Monday and extended holiday sales, check the dedicated pages (e.g., Cyber Monday) and set alerts. Shipping is busier during holidays, so favor “Pickup” where possible to secure limited clearance stock at your local store.

What to Watch Out For (and Returns)

Clearance can be incredible value, but shop smart:

Condition check: Inspect packaging for tampering and confirm all parts are included—especially in electronics, toys, appliances, and open-box items.
Expiration and dates: For beauty, vitamins, and consumables, check expiration dates. Clearance doesn’t always mean long shelf life.
Compatibility: For tech, verify model numbers (e.g., case sizes, cable types, smart home ecosystems). Prior-year accessories may not fit new devices.
Returns policy: Most items fall under Walmart’s standard return windows, though certain categories (like electronics) have shorter periods. Review the official Walmart return policy before you buy, and keep your receipt (paper or digital in the app).

Quick Checklist Before You Checkout

Scan the item in the Walmart app to confirm the current store price.
Compare pricing across nearby stores by switching your selected location in the app.
Search the item on Walmart.com clearance to see if the online price beats in-store.
Check inventory hints with BrickSeek and call the store for verification if it’s a must-have.
Inspect condition, verify parts, and check dates for consumables.
Decide whether to wait for the next markdown wave—if there’s plenty of stock, patience can pay; if stock is scarce, act.

Finding Clearance Near You

If you’re planning an in-person hunt, map a route using the Walmart Store Finder, targeting supercenters and high-traffic locations (which churn inventory faster). Pop into the seasonal and electronics areas first, then sweep endcaps and back aisles in home, toys, and apparel. Keep your phone ready—the barcode scanner in the app is your secret weapon.

Bottom Line

With a little timing, the Walmart app, and a sharp eye for yellow tags, you can turn clearance hunting into a predictable way to save on everyday essentials and big-ticket items alike. Build a routine, learn your local store’s patterns, and leverage online filters and alerts—your best Walmart clearance finds are closer than you think.