Outline
- • What Costco clearance actually means
- • Clearance vs sales vs promotions
- • Where clearance appears (warehouse vs online)
- • How price codes work
- • How to find the best deals
Costco clearance isn't like traditional retail clearance. There are no big signs, no dedicated sections, and no company-wide announcements.
Instead, clearance happens quietly at the warehouse level. Managers mark down items based on local inventory needs, and those deals can disappear within hours.
What "Clearance" Actually Means at Costco
At Costco, clearance means:
- •The item is being discontinued
- •Inventory needs to move quickly
- •The price won't go back up
- •Restocks are unlikely or impossible
Unlike regular sales, clearance is final. Once it's gone, it's gone.
Clearance vs Sales vs Promotions
These terms get confused, but they're different:
Clearance
- •Manager-authorized markdown
- •Item is being discontinued
- •Price ends in .97 or .00
- •No restock expected
Sales/Promotions
- •Vendor-supported discounts
- •Item will return to regular price
- •Price ends in .49, .79, or .89
- •Often in monthly coupon books
Bottom line: Clearance is permanent. Sales are temporary.
Where Clearance Items Appear
In Warehouse
Most clearance happens in-store. Look for:
- •Endcaps at aisle ends
- •Items moved from original location
- •Odd quantities (2-6 units left)
- •No special signage
Online (Costco.com)
Online clearance is separate from warehouse clearance:
- •Different inventory system
- •Different pricing
- •Less frequent .97 markdowns
- •Harder to track manually
The best clearance deals are almost always in-warehouse.
How Price Codes Work
Costco uses price endings to signal item status. Here's what matters for clearance:
.97 — Standard Clearance
This is the main clearance indicator. When you see .97:
- •Item is discontinued
- •Price is final
- •Buy now or miss it
.00 — Manager Closeout
Even more aggressive than .97:
- •Last units
- •Floor models
- •Deep discounts
.88 — Special Clearance
Warehouse-specific markdowns:
- •Returned items
- •Damaged packaging
- •Local manager discretion
FAQ
How do I know if something is on clearance?
Check the price tag. If it ends in .97, .00, or .88, it's clearance. Regular prices end in .99, and promotions end in .49, .79, or .89.
Is clearance the same at all Costco locations?
No. Clearance is managed locally by warehouse managers. An item on clearance in one store may be full price in another.
Can clearance prices drop further?
Rarely. .97 is typically the final clearance price. .00 markdowns happen occasionally on the last few units, but waiting is risky.
Does Costco advertise clearance deals?
No. Clearance is not advertised. You have to find it yourself by checking price tags in-store or tracking prices online.
