Clearance racks are often overlooked or skimmed through in a rush—but for savvy shoppers, they’re a goldmine of hidden discounts. Department stores like Kohl’s, Macy’s, and JCPenney regularly rotate clearance items, but most shoppers don’t know how to time markdowns, read pricing tags, or combine clearance with other savings methods. Here’s how to master the clearance rack and get more for less.
Learn the Marking Patterns
Most department stores use a structured markdown system. Prices are reduced in phases—often every two to three weeks—until an item sells or is removed from inventory. If you see an item on clearance but it’s only marked down once, there’s a good chance another markdown is coming soon.
- At Kohl’s, clearance tags often have yellow stickers. The longer the item has been on clearance, the higher the discount. Items that end in .00 or .99 are typically final markdowns.
- Macy’s may use red tags for clearance and often adds a final markdown after 30 days. Look for prices ending in .96 or .93—these are final sale indicators.
- JCPenney tags that end in .97 are typically the deepest markdowns and may indicate closeout inventory.
Know the Best Days to Shop Clearance
Markdowns usually happen on specific days tied to inventory schedules.
- Kohl’s often updates clearance on Sundays and Wednesdays, aligned with ad rotations and new floor sets.
- Macy’s is known to process markdowns on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- JCPenney frequently refreshes clearance over the weekend, so shopping early on Friday or Saturday morning can give you first pick.
Checking first thing in the morning—especially midweek—gives you the best shot at fresh markdowns before others grab them.
Use Store Apps to Scan for Hidden Clearance
Some items may be marked down in the system before store staff update the tags. Use store apps to scan barcodes and see the actual price:
This trick often reveals further price cuts at checkout—even if the tag hasn’t changed yet.
Combine Clearance with Coupons and Gift Cards
Many shoppers assume you can’t use promo codes or rewards on clearance—but that’s not always true. Check the exclusions listed on each coupon. Often, percentage-off coupons (like 15% off) can still apply to clearance as long as it’s not labeled “Doorbuster” or “Final Sale.”
You can also combine clearance items with a cashback-earning gift card. For example, you can earn cashback with a Kohl’s gift card or get rewards with a JCPenney gift card by purchasing through Fluz. These gift cards can be generated instantly and used for both online and in-store clearance purchases. To try it out, download Fluz here.
Don’t Be Afraid to Dig
Clearance sections are rarely organized. Items may be out of size order, mislabeled, or hidden behind newer stock. Take time to scan every rack, especially at the back of the store. Look high and low—some departments tuck clearance items on top shelves or bottom racks where they’re harder to notice.
Final Tip: Ask for a Price Check
If a tag looks old or mismatched, ask a store associate to scan it. Sometimes an item was marked down but not re-labeled. This is especially common after major sales events like Memorial Day or Back-to-School season.
