Discover Amazing Deals at the Costco Winter Clearance Sale

What to Expect from the Costco Winter Clearance Sale

Unlike traditional retailers that host heavily advertised, specific-date clearance events, the Costco Winter Clearance Sale is more of a gradual process. It isn't a single weekend event but rather a season of rolling markdowns that typically begins in late December and can extend through January and February. The primary goal for Costco is to clear out seasonal inventory—everything from holiday gift sets to heavy winter apparel—to make valuable floor space for incoming spring and summer merchandise.

Shoppers can expect to find significant discounts on a wide range of products. The process starts subtly. Initially, items might receive a modest markdown. As the weeks progress and inventory needs to be moved, those prices can drop further. The key is understanding that the deals are often location-dependent. What's on clearance at one warehouse might still be full price at another, depending on local stock levels and sales velocity. This creates a "treasure hunt" atmosphere where diligent shoppers are rewarded for paying close attention during their regular trips.

Top Categories to Watch for Deep Discounts

During the winter clearance period, certain product categories consistently see the most aggressive price cuts. By knowing where to look, you can strategically plan your shopping trips to maximize savings.

Winter Apparel and Outerwear

This is arguably the most significant category for winter clearance. Costco stocks a large volume of high-quality jackets, coats, snow pants, boots, base layers, and fleece from well-known brands like 32 Degrees, Columbia, and Carhartt. As winter weather wanes and the demand for these items drops, warehouses are eager to move them out. Look for markdowns to begin in January and become more substantial by February. It's an excellent time to buy a high-quality winter coat or gear for the next season at a fraction of its original price.

Holiday Decor, Gift Sets, and Toys

Immediately after December 25th, anything holiday-themed is marked for clearance. This includes wrapping paper, ribbons, artificial trees, ornaments, and outdoor light displays. The discounts are often immediate and steep. Alongside decor, pre-packaged gift sets—such as gourmet food baskets, bath and body collections, and coffee or tea samplers—also see significant markdowns. This category clears out very quickly, so the best deals are found in the first week or two after the holidays.

Small Kitchen Appliances and Cookware

The post-holiday period is a prime time to find deals on kitchen gadgets. Many items stocked as potential holiday gifts, like special edition stand mixers, air fryers, high-end blenders, and premium cookware sets, may go on clearance if they don't sell through. Warehouses need to make room for new models, making this an ideal time to upgrade your kitchen essentials. Keep an eye out for brands like Ninja, Vitamix, and Cuisinart.

Bedding and Home Goods

Cozy winter items for the home are another key area for markdowns. This includes flannel sheet sets, heavy comforters, plush throw blankets, and space heaters. As Costco prepares to stock lighter spring bedding and home decor, these winter-specific goods are often discounted to clear inventory. This is a practical category to watch for saving on household necessities.

Decoding Costco's Secret Price Codes for Maximum Savings

One of the most valuable skills for any Costco shopper is learning to read the price tags. The ending digits of a price can tell you a lot about whether an item is on clearance and if it's the final markdown.

• Prices ending in .97: This is the most common indicator of a clearance item. When you see a price like $19.97 or $49.97, it means the product has been marked down by a local warehouse manager to clear it out. This is a deal specific to that store.
• The "Death Star" Asterisk (*): If you see an asterisk in the upper-right corner of the price sign, it means the item is discontinued and will not be restocked once the current inventory sells out. If a .97 price also has an asterisk, it’s a clearance item that is gone for good once it sells. This signals the final chance to buy it.
• Prices ending in .00 or .88: These prices often signify a manager's markdown on a floor model, a returned item with slightly damaged packaging, or the last few units of a product. These are often the steepest discounts you can find but are highly location-dependent and rare.

By combining these clues, you can make more informed purchasing decisions. An item with a .97 price tag is a good deal, but an item with a .97 price and an asterisk is a signal to buy it now if you want it, as it won't be coming back.

Understanding Costco's Seasonal Sales Cycle

Costco's business model is built on efficiency and high inventory turnover. Unlike department stores that might hold onto seasonal stock for longer, Costco aims to sell through its inventory within a very specific timeframe. The warehouse space is a finite and valuable asset, and every square foot is optimized for selling products that are in high demand at that particular time of year.

The seasonal sales cycle is the engine that drives this model. Costco buyers plan merchandise arrivals months in advance. For example, winter coats and holiday decorations may start arriving in warehouses as early as August or September to capture early demand. The goal is to sell most of this inventory at full price during the peak season (October to December). The winter clearance "sale" is the natural conclusion of this cycle. It’s not a marketing gimmick; it's an operational necessity. The space occupied by unsold winter boots and flannel sheets in February is needed for incoming patio furniture, gardening supplies, and swimwear. This relentless push for efficiency is what creates the clearance opportunities for savvy members.

Common Questions About Costco Clearance Shopping

Navigating any sale can bring up questions. When it comes to Costco's unique clearance process, a few queries come up more often than others. Understanding the answers can help you shop with more confidence.

Can You Return Clearance Items at Costco?

Yes, in almost all cases, you can. Costco is famous for its generous and flexible return policy, which generally extends to clearance items. If you purchase a winter coat marked with a .97 price and decide it doesn't fit, you can return it for a full refund just like any other product. This risk-free satisfaction guarantee is one of the biggest perks of shopping clearance deals at Costco.

The only major exceptions to be aware of are for certain electronics, which typically have a 90-day return window from the date of purchase, regardless of whether they were on clearance. Always check the policy for specific categories, but for general merchandise like apparel, home goods, and decor, the standard return policy applies, offering great peace of mind.

Is a Costco Membership Required for the Winter Clearance Sale?

To shop for clearance deals inside a physical Costco warehouse, a membership is absolutely required. You will need to show your membership card at the entrance and at the checkout registers. This is the primary way to access the best "treasure hunt" deals and manager markdowns, which are often not available online.

However, there are limited ways to access some deals online at Costco.com without a membership. Non-members can shop online but will typically incur a 5% surcharge on most items, which can negate some of the clearance savings. Another option is to use a Costco Shop Card, which is a gift card that can be used by non-members both in-store and online. To get a Shop Card, however, you must have a member purchase it for you.

Conclusion

The Costco Winter Clearance Sale is less of a formal event and more of a seasonal opportunity for members who know what to look for. By focusing on key categories like winter apparel, holiday leftovers, and home goods, shoppers can find incredible value. Learning to decipher Costco's unique price codes—especially the .97 clearance marker and the asterisk for discontinued items—transforms a regular shopping trip into a strategic hunt for deals. Ultimately, this clearance cycle is a direct result of Costco's efficient business model, creating a win-win scenario where the warehouse clears space for new inventory and members get access to high-quality products at deeply discounted prices.

References:

• Costco Official Website
• Costco Warehouse Savings