Walmart Clearance Event 2025: The Items Going 90% Off That Employees Won’t Tell You About
Former Walmart employees reveal the secret markdown schedule — including which days to shop, which departments go first, and how to find items that haven’t been marked down on the app yet.
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Walmart’s clearance system is more structured than most shoppers realize — and former employees are revealing the insider knowledge that lets savvy shoppers score 70-90% off regular prices.
The Walmart Markdown Schedule (By Department)
Walmart marks down different departments on different days of the week. This isn’t publicly posted, but it’s consistent across most stores:
- Monday: Pets, Crafts, Stationery, Hardware
- Tuesday: Domestics, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy
- Wednesday: Party Supplies, Fabrics, Auto
- Thursday: Electronics, Toys, Sporting Goods, Lawn & Garden
- Friday: Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry, Baby
- Saturday: Cosmetics, Deli, Bakery, Meat department
- Sunday: Furniture, Housewares, Seasonal
The Price Tag Color Code
This is what employees don’t volunteer — but it’s on every tag:
- Yellow tag: Initial markdown (usually 25-50% off)
- Orange sticker on yellow tag: Additional markdown
- Red clearance sticker: Final clearance — 75-90% off
- A price ending in $.00 or $.01: Store is liquidating. Must sell.
The 7-Week Markdown Cycle
According to former department managers, Walmart’s clearance cycle typically follows this pattern: regular price → 25% off → 50% off → 75% off → 90% off → pulled and sent to liquidators. The entire cycle takes about 7 weeks from first markdown to final price.
“The best time to hit the clearance section is Thursday morning, right after the overnight stocking crew has finished putting out the new markdowns. That’s when you get first pick.” — Former Walmart Department Manager, Texas
The Walmart App Trick
Scan any item in the store with the Walmart app. It shows the item’s current listed price — and often, items on the physical shelf haven’t been repriced yet but the app already shows the new lower price. Buy it at the shelf and the register will ring the lower app price automatically.
Best Seasonal Clearance Times
- Post-Christmas: December 26 — Jan 2: Electronics, toys, decorations 75-90% off
- Post-Easter: Candy, seasonal decor, baskets 70% off
- Post-Back to School (Sept): School supplies, clothing 50-70% off
- Post-Halloween (Nov 1): Candy, costumes 75-90% off
- Post-Summer (Aug-Sept): Patio furniture, grills, pools 60-80% off
The Liquidation Stores (After Walmart Is Done)
Items Walmart can’t sell even at 90% off go to liquidation companies like: BULQ.com, Liquidation.com, and B-Stock. These sell pallets of mixed Walmart goods. Savvy resellers buy these pallets and flip items on eBay and Facebook Marketplace.