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Target will be “reseting” their departments in January (and again in July). When they do this, they clear out alot of the items to make way for the new, one of the largest markdowns happens in the toy section. The 75% off toy markdown happened last year on January 12th and 13th and July 28th and 29th. This will give us some idea of when it will happen this year. If you aren’t familiar with the BIG Target toy clearance, I have put this post together to explain all the details for you. To get an idea of the deals you can find, you can check out the items that I picked up at the clearance last July HERE.
The Basics
Target follows a markdown schedule, they will markdown each department on a certain day. The markdowns usually go 30%, 50% and then 70% (only holiday/seasonal items go 90% off). Twice a year each department will get “reset”. This means that they will bring in a ton of new merchandise for the next season. So, the toy department will get reset in January, to make way for the upcoming spring and summer toys. The toys also get reset in July to get ready for the holiday seasons toys. I have a post explaining the markdown system in detail, you can read it HERE.
The Specifics of the Toy Department Markdown
Generally, they will start condensing all the clearance toys to one or two aisles. I have noticed that they have already started doing this at a few of the Target’s near me. Last year the markdown took place on January 12th and 13th. The markdown will probably take place on a Thursday, or even possibly a Wednesday or Friday.
How the Toys are Marked Down
The markdown for the toys and other departments are different than the holiday clearance that can be marked down via a computer. When the toys get marked down each individual item will need to be scanned with a pricing gun before the new price will take effect. If you are interested in two identical items, only one of them will need to be scanned with the gun, once one of the items is entered, they discounted price is good on all identical items.
In the past, the scanning team starts at my stores around 9:00 am, they are usually still scanning items when I get there. If there is something you want that still have a higher price, scan it with the store price check scanners. If it isn’t 75% off, then you can save it in your cart and then ask one of the employees with the pricing guns if they wouldn’t mind seeing if the item has been marked down. I have NEVER had an employee tell me no, they are generally very nice about it, however, I have noticed that as this sale gains more popularity it is harder for the employees to scan lots of extra items to see if the price has changed. We may just need to be patient until all the price changing has finished.
Why Shop Now?
If you have never shopped this clearance sale before, you are probably thinking “Why in the world would I want anymore toys?” After all, your kids just got tons of toys for Christmas and they are taking over the house. I use this clearance sale in January (and the one in July) to buy toys that I will need for gifts all year long. If you do some thinking, you can purchase lots of toys now that you can use to give as gifts all year long at a BIG discount. Shopping all at once also saves time! It’s so much easier to run to our “toys stockpile” for a gift than having to go the store every time a birthday party comes along. I have 5 kids and over 50 nieces and nephews, so there are a lot of parties in our family!
I shop for the following items:
- I buy items for my kids birthdays and even Christmas next year (there are some toys that you just can’t go wrong with, in our house, that is Lego’s, Playmobil, Games, and Arts & Crafts)
- I buy items for nephews and nieces birthdays
- I pick up gifts now for birthday’s my kids may get invited too (Since my daughter is 10, I will pick up items that would work for that age range)
- I help my sister and other friends and family by picking up toys for them to give to their kids (my sister works, and she can’t always make it to the sale, so I help her out by picking up items for her)
- I buy items now, so I can donate at Christmas time (Sometimes when you plan for generosity, it’s much easier to give! It’s not so much of a strain on the pocketbook)
- You can even find games for adults and teens
