Best Times to Shop at Costco for Deals & Clearance

Unlock bigger savings by timing your Costco trips for the best deals, clearance markdowns, and coupon drops. This complete guide reveals insider strategies, weekly flyer cycles, secret markdown schedules, and expert tips to help you shop smarter and save more in 2026.

Busy Costco entrance with shopping carts and shoppers preparing to enter for weekly deals

Key Insights & Quick Tips

  • Best Day for New Flyer Deals: Monday (flyer/deals start), shop early for best selection.
  • Best Time for Clearance: Late evening on weekdays (Tue/Wed/Thu) or early morning before crowds.
  • Seasonal Coupon Drops: Early January, late April, August (back-to-school), November (holiday/Black Friday).
  • Look for: Price tags ending in .97 (clearance), or with an asterisk * (discontinued/manager special).
  • Quietest Shopping: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1–3pm or last hour before closing.
  • Pro Tip: Combine new flyer deals with seasonal coupon books and check the Costco price adjustment policy to claim extra savings if a price drops soon after your purchase.

Understanding Costco’s Weekly Flyer Cycle

Costco’s main weekly flyer (sometimes called “Instant Savings” or “Warehouse Offers”) launches every Monday, with deals running Monday to Sunday. Flyers are available both online and in-store, and typically post by Sunday evening for the upcoming week. New deals start as soon as the store opens Monday morning.

Day Status Best For
Monday Flyer Starts Fresh deals, best stock
Tuesday–Thursday Active Quieter aisles, clearance drops
Friday–Sunday Active Higher traffic, check for restocks
Sunday Last Day Final chance for flyer deals

Most new sales, price drops, and “Instant Savings” offers appear in the flyer. Shop Monday morning for the widest selection and to avoid out-of-stocks on hot items.

Clearance Timing: When Do Costco Markdown Prices Drop?

Clearance markdowns are Costco’s secret weapon for deal hunters. Look for price tags ending in .97—these are manager markdowns, often at the lowest price before the item is discontinued. An asterisk * in the upper right corner of a tag means it won’t be restocked.

  • Best days for clearance: Tuesday–Thursday late evenings, or the first hour after opening on weekdays. Managers often review inventory and mark down overstocked or end-of-season products during these times.
  • Restocking: Happens overnight and in early mornings, so early shoppers get first pick of new clearance.
  • Tip: Check high shelves and aisle ends—clearance items are often moved here.

Example: A TV marked $799.97 on Tuesday with a * will likely drop again by Thursday if unsold. Shopping after 7pm can mean less competition for these markdowns.

Close-up of Costco clearance price tags ending in .97 and asterisk, on a warehouse aisle shelf

Seasonal Coupon Drop Patterns at Costco

In addition to weekly flyers, Costco releases major coupon books (“Instant Savings”/“Warehouse Coupons”) several times a year. These often coincide with key shopping seasons: January (post-holiday), late April (spring), August (back-to-school), and early November (holiday/Black Friday).

  • Coupon books are mailed, posted online, and available at the warehouse entrance.
  • Stacking: Coupon prices are applied automatically at checkout—no need to clip or scan, but you can combine these with price adjustments if you bought at full price just before a drop.
  • Pro Tip: Watch for “Bonus Event” coupons and member-exclusive offers around major Canadian holidays and back-to-school.

See Current Costco Coupons

Early Morning vs. Late Evening: Which is Best for Shopping?

Early Morning

  • Freshest stock on flyer deals and new markdowns.
  • Best selection, especially Mondays and after restocking.
  • Quieter aisles (except Mondays and Saturdays).

Late Evening

  • Managers may mark down clearance before close.
  • Last chance for end-of-week or expiring flyer specials.
  • Less crowded, especially after 7pm on weekdays.

Real-World Example: Clearance markdowns often appear just before closing (8-9pm), and early weekday shoppers can find “hidden” deals before the crowds arrive.

Best Days & Times to Shop at Costco — At a Glance

Deal Type Best Day Best Time Quick Tip
Weekly Flyer Deals Monday Opening hour Shop early for best stock
Clearance/Markdowns Tue–Thu After 7pm or 1st hour AM Look for .97 and * on tags
Seasonal Coupons Start of event (Jan, Apr, Aug, Nov) First 2 days of coupon book Combine with price adjustment
Quietest Shopping Tuesday, Wednesday 1–3pm or last hour Avoid weekend crowds
Manager Specials Any (often midweek) Late evening Ask staff about new markdowns

Timing your visit can mean the difference between scoring a hot deal or missing out. Check the flyer and clearance aisles for new markdowns each trip.

How to Plan Your Next Costco Trip for Maximum Savings

  1. Check the Weekly Flyer (see here) Sunday night or Monday morning. Note the best deals and plan your list.
  2. Scan for Clearance: Walk the main aisles and endcaps for .97 tags and asterisk-marked items. If you see a price drop on something you recently bought, ask about a price adjustment.
  3. Watch for Seasonal Coupons: If a new coupon book is live, plan your trip for the first day or two for best selection.
  4. Time Your Visit: For flyer deals and full stock, shop first thing Monday. For clearance, try late evening on weekdays. For quiet aisles, go Tuesday/Wednesday afternoons.
  5. Combine Offers: Use instant savings from flyers/coupon books, stack with clearance finds, and maximize with the latest coupon strategies.
Sample Week: Shop Monday AM for flyer deals, return Wednesday evening for clearance markdowns, and watch for coupon book drops each season.

Frequently Asked Questions — Costco Shopping Times & Deals

Costco releases new “Instant Savings” offers and coupon books every few months, with regular weekly flyer deals starting each Monday. Major coupon drops typically appear in January, April, August, and November, often coinciding with holiday or seasonal shopping events. Always check the current Costco coupons page for the latest offers.

The best time to find Costco clearance deals is late evening on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, when managers often mark down overstock and discontinued items. Early weekday mornings are also good, right after restocking. Look for price tags ending in .97 and asterisks to spot manager specials and items being discontinued.

Yes! Costco’s instant savings and coupon book discounts are applied automatically at checkout, and if you find a clearance item with a coupon, you’ll get both discounts. This stacking is especially valuable during seasonal coupon drops—just make sure clearance items are included in the current flyer or coupon book.

The quietest times are typically Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons (1–3pm) or during the last hour before closing on weekdays. Avoid weekends, Friday evenings, and Monday mornings for a less crowded, faster shopping experience.

Watch for asterisks (*) on price tags—these mean the item will not be restocked and is a candidate for clearance soon. If you’ve purchased an item that goes on sale within 30 days, you can often request a price adjustment at customer service.

Check the weekly flyers and coupon pages on this site every Sunday night or early Monday. Sign up for Costco’s email alerts, and watch for coupon books at the warehouse entrance. For advanced alerts, follow deal forums or use coupon apps listed on our Best Apps for Grocery Coupons page.