The 3-3-2 Rule is something I have been talking about for years. And, it can really help you stay on top of all the clearance sales after a big holiday.
Basically the 3-3-2 rule means that the first 3 days after the Holiday, items will be 50% off, the next 3 days will be 70%-75%, and the last two days, remaining clearance will be 90% off. Most stores follow this pattern. Although some stores will only jump to 30% for a few days before starting the 50% off.
That means, if you haven’t gone to places like Target, you might want to. Candy and other Christmas items should be marked down to 50% off. And by Thursday, they should hopefully have dropped even more to 75% off.
Unfortunately, not everyone understands the 3-3-2 rule, or even knows what it is. If everyone did, then all of the best stuff wouldn’t be gone when it was 50% off… everyone would wait until 75% off or 90% off to get the best bang for their buck. So, you will probably see the most popular items picked over.
But, don’t forget to check the items like Bounty Napkins that have Christmas Trees on them… or Kleenex tissues with santas. Those items are part of the clearance sales too! But, they may not always be in the Holiday section at the back of the store!
Erika
Also the huggies santa pampers boxes org $are marker $10 at target. Stack coupon and get them for $5 a box.
Suzie
Some candy is only 30% off at Target.
Nisha
Found gift boxes of Pantene, Gillette, and other boxed gift items marked off. Had some coupons that made for some really great deals. Make sure to check the cosmetics sections and back isles for the great clearance deals.
Susan
(Monday) Among other things, I got 3 boxes of Betty Crocker holiday cake mixes for $.62 each, and also used a coupon for $.50 off 3 = 45 cents each. (They went straight into the bag for the food bank — their shelves were bare after the holidays!) Got a brownie mix for less than a dollar; without the red and green sprinkles, they’re not holiday brownies anymore! Look for the Softsoap pumps with holiday designs; peel off the wrapper and they’re not holiday items, either.
Brittany Jensen
Very disappointed with the riverdale target…nothing much marked down and it’s still only to 50%. I was following the 3-3-2 rule but apparently they aren’t…
B
The really good stuff was still 30% at Layton Target tonigh…. ðŸ™
Kristy
Fyi target doesnt follow the 3/2/2 rule anymore. It’s all based on sales.
jen
Went to my local target on friday and christmas edibles were only 30% off and all other christmas items were 50% off. I thought it would be 75% off by now!
Cathie
Target will not be going 75% here (Fresno, CA area) until Monday, shoppers like me were searching for the 75% off items. An Employee said that they won’t go down any further until next week~
Melea Johnson
Thanks for letting me know everyone!! I wonder what is up with Target? They have been following the 3-3-2 rule for other Holidays. And, Walmart stores are already at 75% off. So, guess we will just have to wait and see what they do! Hopefully it is just a change for Christmas and they will go back to some sort of pattern for Valentine’s and other Holidays.
Melea
Autumn
Yeah, in the Sacramento area, some Target’s didn’t go 70% (not even 75) until the 4th day & others the 5th. Who knows how long before they get to 90%. If they even get there.
Rlene
Also, in new jersey they dont follow the 3-3-2 rule. Today, target finally went from 50% to 70% (not 75%) for xmas items and 50% for xmas candy starting today but walmart is still 50%, hasn’t changed at all.
Sharon
WalMart has changed their clearance policies. I was going to buy some Christmas ribbon, it was in the 50% off clearance section, it did not ring up 50% off. I pointed this out to the cashier and he said corporate would not allow them to change the price. I took the ribbon to the customer service, they said the same thing. After talking to the manager, telling them they were wrong in misleading customers into thinking everything in the clearance section was marked down, they gave it to me for 50% off.
Laura
Went to Target last night and candy was still only 50%, gifts & decor 70%.
Walmart had lots of items in the 50% off section that were definitely Christmas related…but most of it still scanned full price. I had about 25 items in my cart & ended up only buying the 3 that actually rang up ½ price.