Guide to BJ’s Wholesale Clearance Sections Explained

Guide to BJ’s Wholesale Clearance Sections Explained

ears, but I only recently discovered how their clearance system really works—beyond just wandering around hoping to spot a yellow tag.

Once I actually started testing patterns, tracking prices, and talking with a few staffers (and one very passionate front-end manager who loves markdowns), I realized BJ’s clearance is way more structured than it looks from the cart lane.

This is the guide I wish I’d had sooner.

How BJ’s Clearance Pricing Actually Works

When I first started paying attention, I noticed the ending digits on price tags were repeating. So I started snapping photos and comparing prices over a few weeks. The pattern is very real.

In my experience, here’s how BJ’s price endings usually break down:

• .99 – Regular price (or a non-special promo)
• .49 / .89 – Temporary markdown or promo price
• .90 / .00 – Manager’s markdown or final clearance in that club

BJ’s doesn’t publish an official “secret code” guide, so you won’t see this written on their site. But once you know to look, you start to see clusters of .90 and .00 prices in certain aisles, especially near seasonal merchandise.

One specific example: I watched a set of outdoor string lights go from $29.99 → $24.89 → $19.90 over about five weeks. The $19.90 price stuck for roughly a week, then the entire pallet disappeared. That’s usually your sign you’ve hit the last markdown before items are pulled or sell out.

Where Clearance Hides Inside BJ’s Clubs

BJ’s doesn’t run a giant, obvious “CLEARANCE” corner like some discount chains. Clearance is more like an Easter egg hunt layered on top of the regular store layout.

1. The Back of Seasonal Aisles

When I tested this across three different BJ’s locations in my area, the pattern was nearly identical:

• Holiday items (Halloween, Christmas, Easter) migrate to the back ends of their aisles for the last 2–3 weeks of the season.
• The deepest markdowns show up within 7–10 days after the holiday.

For example, after the 4th of July, I picked up a 6-pack of patriotic throw pillows for $12.00 that had been $39.99 in early June.

2. Endcaps Near the Middle of the Store

Not the front-feature endcaps you see when you walk in. I mean the random endcaps halfway down the main aisles. These often hold:

• Discontinued snack flavors
• “Last year’s” packaging of paper goods
• Home decor that didn’t quite sell

One BJ’s employee told me their managers like to group small-quantity clearance on these mid-store endcaps so they don’t clutter the regular planogram.

3. High and Low Shelves in Home & Electronics

If you’re willing to look up (and down), you’ll find some of the better clearance in:

• Electronics: older models of TVs, headphones, smart home devices
• Small appliances: air fryers, blenders, older coffee machine models

I once scored a name-brand air fryer at $49.90 (down from $119.99) simply because it was sitting on the very top shelf, with a tiny .90 price tag nobody was noticing.

Decoding BJ’s Yellow Tags and Labels

BJ’s uses a mix of white and yellow tags, plus small shelf labels. When I started deliberately checking dates and codes, I realized there’s more info on those tags than most people notice.

What I look for:

• Yellow tags – usually indicate a temporary price reduction or coupon-backed deal. Not always true clearance, but often a stepping stone toward it.
• Small printed date – typically printed in a corner of the tag; this can be the date the price was last updated. If that date is 4–6 weeks old and the item ends in .90 or .00, it’s probably at or near its final markdown.
• Unit price comparison – especially for food clearance. Sometimes the “deal” is actually more expensive per ounce than a different size right next to it.

I learned the hard way on a giant bag of cereal that looked like a steal… until I did the math.

Online vs. In-Club Clearance: What I Found Testing Both

When I tested BJ’s online clearance section against in-club shopping, I noticed a few consistent patterns:

• Online clearance tends to focus more on general merchandise: home, toys, electronics, clothing.
• In-club clearance is where you’ll find marked-down perishables, seasonal decor, and odd-sized bulk items.
• Prices are not always synced. I’ve seen an item at full price online and $10+ off in-store.

Here’s how I now work both angles:

1. Start online: I search the BJ’s website for “clearance” or check the “Deals” section and filter by my local club.
2. Screenshot prices: When I go in-store, I compare shelf tags with my saved online prices.
3. Ask member services: On a couple of occasions, staff were willing to honor the lower price when online clearance was cheaper than in-club.

This doesn’t always work—BJ’s policy gives clubs some discretion—but it’s worth asking. Staff are usually pretty straightforward about what they can and can’t override.

Best Times of Year to Hit BJ’s Clearance

After mapping my receipts against calendars (yes, I’m that person), some patterns showed up:

• Early January (Weeks 1–2): Deep markdowns on holiday decor, gift sets, and some toys.
• Mid–late January: Fitness gear and storage solutions often hit promo or clearance pricing.
• Post-major holidays: Valentine’s, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas all have 1–2 week windows where markdowns accelerate.
• Late July–August: Patio furniture, grills, and outdoor items start moving to clearance as back-to-school takes over.

BJ’s doesn’t publicly publish a detailed clearance calendar, but their overall sales cycles line up with broader retail trends that analysts talk about, especially around holidays and seasonal shifts.

Stackable Savings: Where Clearance Gets Really Fun

The most satisfying wins I’ve had at BJ’s clearance weren’t just from a lower sticker price; they were from stacking deals.

Here’s what I’ve personally stacked on clearance items (when allowed by the system and current promos):

• Manufacturer coupons (from BJ’s app or paper booklet)
• BJ’s digital coupons loaded to my membership
• BJ’s credit card rewards (if you use their card)

One time I walked out with a marked-down pack of laundry detergent:

• Shelf price: $18.90 (clearance, ending in .90)
• Digital coupon: -$3.00
• Manufacturer coupon in booklet: -$2.00
• Rewards applied: -$5.00

Net cost before tax: $8.90. Almost identical product, full price on a different scented version, was still $21.99.

BJ’s officially notes that not all offers combine, and in my experience, it can vary by item and promotion. Sometimes the system will automatically choose the better of two discounts rather than stacking both. I’ve learned to watch the screen while the cashier scans, and ask questions right then.

Pros and Cons of Hunting BJ’s Clearance

After doing this for a while, I’ve stopped telling friends that clearance is always a win. It’s more nuanced than that.

What works really well

• Big savings on seasonal and bulky items: outdoor furniture, décor, toys, small appliances.
• Trying brands you wouldn’t pay full price for: especially in snacks, toiletries, and household goods.
• Stocking up for next year: holiday wrapping, lights, storage bins, artificial trees.

What doesn’t work as well

• Fresh foods: Clearance markdowns on perishables might look tempting, but you’ve got to be honest with yourself. Are you actually going to eat five pounds of spinach in three days?
• Huge quantities of “maybe” items: Just because it’s 60% off doesn’t mean you need four of them.
• Waiting too long: With true clearance (especially .00 endings), when it’s gone, it’s gone. I’ve talked myself into “I’ll come back next week” and regretted it more than once.

Practical Clearance Strategy You Can Use Right Away

If I had to boil my own BJ’s clearance approach down into something simple and repeatable, it would be this:

1. Do one slow lap a month

When I’m not in a rush, I walk the perimeter, then the seasonal aisle, then electronics. I’m just scanning for .90 and .00 endings, yellow tags, and older date codes.

1. Pick 1–2 categories to focus on

For me, it’s usually home goods and seasonal decor. For you it might be kids’ items, office supplies, or snacks. Focusing keeps impulse buys in check.

1. Set a personal rule

Mine is: If I wouldn’t want this at full price, clearance doesn’t magically make it useful. This rule has saved me from a truly embarrassing number of novelty mugs.

1. Use your phone like a nerdy sidekick

• Snap photos of tags and date codes.
• Check the BJ’s app for coupons while you’re in the aisle.
• Compare prices with Amazon, Target, or Walmart on big-ticket items.

1. Be nice and ask questions

In my experience, BJ’s staff are surprisingly open about when things might get marked down further, or whether more stock is coming. You don’t always get a straight date, but you do get hints.

When Skipping Clearance Is the Smarter Move

I’d be lying if I said every clearance purchase I’ve made at BJ’s was a win. A few hard-earned lessons:

• Clearance doesn’t fix bad quality. A cheap, flimsy shelf at $30 is still a cheap, flimsy shelf at $15.
• Trendy seasonal items don’t always age well. Last year’s “must-have” themed decor can feel dated really fast.
• Bulk sizes magnify regrets. If you don’t like the product, you now own an industrial amount of it.

If I’m on the fence, I give myself a “cart test”: I leave the item in my cart and keep shopping. If, by the time I reach the front, I’ve half-forgotten about it or feel weirdly defensive about it… it usually goes back.

Final Thoughts Before Your Next BJ’s Run

Once I started treating BJ’s clearance like a system instead of random luck, my wins became way more consistent. I stopped chasing every yellow tag and focused on understanding:

• How price endings work
• Where each store hides its markdowns
• When seasonal stuff flips into clearance mode
• Which deals I can actually stack

Is it worth the effort? For me—between discounted appliances, seasonal decor, and some hilariously underpriced bulk snacks—absolutely.

Just remember: the goal isn’t to buy more because it’s cheaper. It’s to pay less for stuff you already want.

And if you spot a .00-ending air fryer on the top shelf? Don’t hesitate like I did the first time.

Sources

• BJ’s Wholesale Club – Official Site - Membership, deals, and store policies
• Forbes – The Psychology Of Retail Sales And Discounts - Context on how retailers structure promotions
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Spending Trends - Data on consumer spending habits
• Harvard Business Review – When Do Consumers Want Discounts? - Research-driven insights into discount timing and behavior