Best Time to Find Costco Clearance Deals

The best Costco clearance deals don't happen at random. They follow predictable patterns tied to timing, inventory flow, and seasonal changeovers.

If you know when to look, you dramatically increase your odds of finding .97 deals before they're gone.

Early Mornings Are Your Best Advantage

The Verdict: If you can only remember one thing, remember this: clearance shows up early.

Most markdowns happen overnight or before the warehouse opens. By late afternoon—especially on weekends—many of the best clearance items are already picked over.

Empty shelves showing clearance items sold out by afternoon

This item is gone. Shop early to avoid empty shelves.

If you shop exclusively on weekend evenings, you're often seeing what's left, not what was marked down.

When markdowns typically appear:

•Before the warehouse opens
•Overnight after inventory adjustments
•Early morning before weekend traffic hits

Seasonal Changeovers Trigger the Biggest Markdowns

Costco clears space aggressively when seasons change. This is when the deepest discounts appear.

When floor space needs to change, prices drop fast. Items that were full price weeks earlier can suddenly hit clearance with no warning.

Late Summer → Early Fall

This is one of the strongest clearance windows of the year.

•Patio furniture: Can drop 40–60% as warehouses make room for holiday items.
•Grills and outdoor cooking: August through September sees aggressive markdowns.
•Summer sporting goods: Pool supplies, kayaks, beach gear—all clearance targets.

January

The post-holiday purge. Warehouses need to clear out everything seasonal to reset for spring.

•Holiday décor: Ornaments, lights, wrapping supplies—often 50% off or more.
•Winter apparel: Coats, boots, cold-weather gear gets marked down hard.
•Gift sets: Leftover holiday gift baskets and boxed sets hit clearance fast.

Spring Resets

March through May sees clothing turnover and household refreshes.

•Clothing: Winter styles get cleared to make room for spring and summer inventory.
•Seasonal household items: Bedding, storage solutions, organization products rotate out.
•Fitness equipment: Post-New Year's resolution inventory gets marked down if it didn't sell.

Back-to-School Transitions

Late August into September. School supplies and related items get cleared once the rush ends.

Key takeaway: Clearance is about making room, not advertising a sale. Costco doesn't announce these markdowns—they just happen.

Clearance Is Local, Not National

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of Costco shopping.

Clearance pricing is warehouse-specific. It's based on local inventory levels and how fast items are selling at that location.

The same item can be:

•Full price at one warehouse
•On clearance at another
•Completely sold out nearby

This is why people hear about deals they "never see" at their store—it's not a myth, it's how Costco operates. CostLow tracks deals by warehouse, not nationally, because that's the only way it makes sense.

Midweek Beats Weekends

Weekends are Costco's busiest days, which makes them the worst time to hunt clearance.

Why weekdays win:

•Fewer shoppers: Less competition for limited inventory.
•Morning markdowns still available: Weekend crowds clear out the good stuff by noon.
•Staff availability: Employees have more time to process inventory changes and answer questions.

Tuesday through Thursday mornings are often the sweet spot.

Clearance Doesn't Sit in One Place

Costco does not have a dedicated clearance aisle in most warehouses.

Clearance items are usually:

•Mixed in with regular items
•On end caps
•In seasonal areas being phased out
•Sitting alone as "last ones"

The Reality: Timing Matters More Than Luck

Most people miss clearance deals because:

•They shop at the same time every week
•They don't revisit items after purchase
•They assume deals will be obvious or advertised

Costco clearance rewards timing and awareness, not impulse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of day does Costco mark down clearance items?

Most markdowns happen overnight or before the warehouse opens. Early morning shoppers have the best selection before items get picked over.

What month has the most Costco clearance deals?

January (post-holiday) and late summer (August-September) are the strongest clearance periods. But clearance happens year-round based on inventory cycles.

Is clearance timing the same at every Costco warehouse?

No. Clearance is warehouse-specific and based on local inventory levels. The same item can be full price at one location and clearance at another.

What day of the week is best for Costco clearance?

Tuesday through Thursday mornings are ideal. Weekends are the busiest, meaning clearance items get picked over faster.

Does Costco have a clearance section?

No dedicated clearance aisle exists at most warehouses. Clearance items are mixed in with regular inventory, on end caps, or in seasonal areas being phased out.

Can clearance prices drop multiple times?

Yes. Items often go from full price to .97, then to a lower .97, and occasionally to .00 or .88 final markdowns if they don't sell.

How can I track clearance deals without going to Costco every day?

Use the CostLow app to get instant alerts when new clearance items appear at your warehouse. You'll know about deals before they sell out.