Walmart and Target, two of the largest retail giants in the United States, have always been destinations for shoppers that were looking for great discounts. Whether you’re looking for household items, electronics, clothing, or groceries, these stores promise really low prices on just about everything.

Many customers don’t realize that both Walmart and Target have hidden gems; secret spots full of clearance items that can save you a huge amount of money. These secret spots are not obvious to average people, and you need to have a keen eye and some insider knowledge to find them.

In this article, we’ll dive into these hidden discount spots in Walmart and Target, uncover how you can find the best deals, and offer some tips and tricks for scoring clearance items before they’re gone for good.

Top Shelves in Stores

The top shelves in stores are often overlooked by most of the shoppers. These places typically have promotional items, but here you can also find a lot of clearance goods. The stores place marked-down products on these shelves to move them quickly, and you can often find significant discounts on products like kitchenware, toys, beauty items, and so much more.

The top shelves are usually stocked with older models of products, discontinued items, or things that simply don’t sell as well as expected. Keep an eye out for these displays as you move through the store, because they can lead to some major savings.

The Back of the Store

While many people head straight to the front of the store in search of better deals, the back of the store is where you should really focus your attention. Walmart usually places clearance sections towards the back of the store, out of sight from the main flow of traffic. These areas are often filled with markdowns on everything from home decor to garden tools or even clothing.

Much like Walmart, Target often places its clearance sections in the back of the store, sometimes in hard-to-spot corners. After major holidays, Target often has a hidden clearance area where you can find heavily discounted holiday decorations, wrapping paper, and other seasonal products. The further you go into the store, the better the deals you’re likely to find.

The Hidden Clearance Carts

If you’ve ever walked into a Walmart store and seen a cart full of random items, you might have thought it was just another cart that was abandoned by a fellow shopper. However, these carts are sometimes placed in hidden corners of the stores and filled with items on clearance. These carts might not be marked with large promotional signs, so they can be easily missed. If you want to find the best deals, it’s worth taking a look at these carts while you’re shopping.

The Seasonal Aisles

In many stores, the aisles dedicated to seasonal items like outdoor furniture, grills, summer gear, or holiday decorations are often stocked with clearance items once the season is over. You might be able to snag great deals on items that you’ll need next year, often at 50% to 75% off the original price. For example, summer items will be heavily discounted during the fall, while winter items and Christmas decorations will be reduced during the springtime.

The Red-Tagged Items

Target is well-known for its distinctive red clearance tags. While many shoppers think that these tags only appear in the clearance section, they can be found throughout the entire store. From home decor items to clothes to electronics, red tags are used to signal high discounts on a lot of products. The key to finding the heavily discounted items is to pay attention as you walk through every section of the store. These deals can be hidden in plain sight, so be sure to check out even the most unexpected places, like the kids’ aisle, the beauty section, or the electronics department.

The Dollar Spot and Discount Bins

The Dollar Spot, also known as the Bullseye’s Playground at Target, is a popular section that is often filled with inexpensive and fun items. While this area is known for having cheap toys, stationery, and home decor items, it also has a hidden clearance section. Some Target stores have discount bins or tables in or near the Dollar Spot, and these bins often have heavily discounted items that are either being cleared out or restocked in a new location. These bins can be a goldmine for shoppers who are willing to dig through a bit of clutter.

Pay Attention to Products that Seem Out of Place

If you find items that are not in their usual spot, for example, a decor item in the groceries section, chances are that this product is on sale. When looking for better deals, sometimes it can be as easy as looking for products that seem hidden or out of their usual spot. Clearance products can often be found on lower shelves, behind other display boxes, or even on eye level but tucked behind other products. If you look hard, you might find some huge deals.

Target’s Cartwheel App and Target Circle Deals

Target also offers some deals through its app, Target Circle, and the Cartwheel app. These apps will help you find additional discounts on items throughout the store, including clearance points. By combining your regular shopping with digital coupons, you can stack some big savings and get even more out of your clearance items. Some clearance deals are also exclusive to the app, so it’s worth checking regularly for new offers.

Look for Products That Are Missing the Price Tag

Who says that you can’t have a bit of fun when shopping? You can organize a money-saving hunt and look for products that are missing the price tags. Usually they can be a gold mine because in most cases they are clearance items. Even expensive products like furniture pieces can scan for much lower on the apps.

Look for Price Tags That Say “Clearance”

In both Walmart and Target, many clearance items will have tags that clearly say “Clearance.” These items are often discounted significantly, but they might also be older or discontinued products. In some cases, products might be slightly damaged, so it’s always a good idea to look at the items carefully before buying them.

Use the Price Scanners

Both Walmart and Target have price scanners that can be found throughout the stores. These machines will allow you to scan an item’s barcode to check its price. If a product is in the clearance section, it might ring up for a lower price than what’s already displayed on the shelf. It’s worth checking prices, especially if you’re interested in an item that seems like a great deal.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

If you’re not finding the clearance section in the store or if you are not sure if something is discounted, don’t be afraid to ask a store sales assistant. Walmart and Target employees are always aware of the store’s clearance sections and can direct you to the best deals. They might even know of upcoming markdowns that you can take advantage of in the future.

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