8 stores with hidden clearance you probably miss

8 stores with hidden clearance you probably miss

It’s easy to think clearance means the bright red tags and endcap bins, but some stores tuck their best markdowns where you wouldn’t expect. If you’re walking right past them or only looking for yellow stickers, you’re probably missing deals that could cut your spending big time.

Some of the best savings I’ve found weren’t even marked—so if you know what to look for (and where), you can walk out paying way less than the person next to you.

Walmart

Walmart’s hidden clearance isn’t always labeled. Items get marked down in the system but not on the shelf, so the sticker might still show full price. Use the Walmart app to scan barcodes in-store—you’ll often find something’s cheaper than it appears.

Clearance also hides in random aisles, not just on endcaps. Look behind or above the eye-level shelves, and don’t skip seasonal sections right after holidays. If you’re only shopping the big yellow tags, you’re missing the deeper discounts.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s often hides clearance on high or low shelves in the middle of regular aisles. Power tools, lighting, and paint supplies tend to get marked down quietly when packaging changes or new models come in. You won’t always find these deals marked clearly.

Their website sometimes reflects better clearance pricing than what you see in-store. If you’re planning a project, check both places and compare. It’s worth asking an associate to scan an item for the real price—I’ve seen products ring up for half what the tag said.

CVS

CVS clearance is often buried in the regular aisles, especially for beauty, seasonal, and household items. Look for small white tags with percentages off, but also check expiration dates—products nearing their shelf life go fast and usually aren’t advertised.

Some locations mark items with stickers; others don’t. Scan with the price checker or at checkout—you might get a surprise. Sign up for the CVS app too, because clearance prices sometimes pair with in-app coupons for an even bigger discount.

Walgreens

At Walgreens, clearance tends to show up in odd spots—behind the front registers, on bottom shelves, or mixed into endcaps. They’ll mark it with orange or yellow stickers, but they don’t usually advertise it. Seasonal clearance can drop to 90% off if you time it right.

Check for discontinued beauty items and last-season decor. The real trick is going in the middle of the week, when restocking happens. That’s when markdowns get applied, and most shoppers haven’t cleaned them out yet.

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby’s clearance items are often tucked into random corners or shelves—not always with signage. Damaged packaging or out-of-season items get marked way down, but it won’t always be obvious unless you’re scanning carefully.

You’ll also find clearance scattered throughout departments, not just in one spot. Craft tools, home decor, and even fabric remnants get their prices quietly slashed. If you only shop the sales aisle, you’re skipping over some of the best deals in the store.

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx uses purple and yellow tags for markdowns, but they’re easy to miss if you’re breezing through. Clearance items often sit on bottom racks or tucked into corners, especially in the home goods and kitchen sections.

New markdowns usually happen on Wednesdays, so if you want first pick, go early. Some locations don’t group clearance together, so be ready to dig. And check the price tag even if it’s not marked—some clearance items are tagged incorrectly.

Dollar General

Dollar General has a clearance section, but most of the hidden markdowns are scattered throughout the store. Their clearance events often include an extra 50% off already reduced items, but you won’t always see those discounts clearly marked.

Use their app to scan for surprise price drops, especially after major holidays. Also check for color-coded dots on product packaging—yellow, white, or blue dots sometimes signal items that are about to get pulled or discounted further.

Kohl’s

Kohl’s clearance is usually better in-store than online, and the biggest markdowns are often in the back of departments or behind fitting rooms. Items might be missing tags or marked “as is,” but they’ll scan for way less than full price.

Kohl’s Cash and coupons still apply to most clearance items, which can stack up to real savings. Look for red or gold stickers—but even if you don’t see one, scan it. Some hidden clearance isn’t labeled at all, especially during seasonal resets.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.