How to Read a Walmart Price Tag the Right Way

No matter the month or season, we all love a good clearance find. And if you’re a frequent shopper at Walmart, you know how to find a real deal. Understanding the Walmart price tag is a skill set, and it can be rewarding—especially when you’ve been keeping an eye on a particular product for a while and it finally goes on sale. Best. Feeling. Ever!

When it comes to shopping at Walmart, there are a couple of things you should know before your next run. With some pointers, you’ll be able to sharpen your shopping skills and learn the truth behind popular rumors about Walmart prices.

Walmart Price Tag FAQs

What’s the lowest the price of an item will go?

Most Walmart shoppers know to look for a price ending with a one (e.g. $7.01) because, for a long time, that was rumored to mean that the item was at its absolute lowest price (aka, its markdown limit). According to Krazy Coupon Lady, who called her local Walmart manager to ask, that’s not so true. When in doubt, ask the store manager.

Are all Walmart price tags ending in 97 cents considered “Everyday Low Prices”?

It’s not hard to find prices around the store ending in 97 cents. Those specific two digits of the Walmart price tag are called “Everyday Low Prices” by both store and buyer, but not all prices that end in 97 cents are Everyday Low Prices. There have been Rollback prices ending in 97 cents as well.

For more savings, make sure you know these grocery store secrets.

Do clearance items drop in price until they sell?

Yes! The date on a Walmart price tag indicates the last time a specific item was marked down. Items stay at a marked-down price for a set period of time (usually a month or so), and then are marked down every month until the item either sells or hits its markdown limit. If a clearance item is due for another markdown, it may pay to make a second trip to the store to score bigger savings!

If multiple trips aren’t on the schedule, create a well-organized grocery list so you don’t forget anything.

Are Rollback markdowns temporary?

“Rollback” is Walmart price tag lingo for sale—look for the red signage on an item’s tag. An item price can be rolled back for a number of reasons, like supplier discounts, overstocked inventory and more. Most importantly, Rollback prices are temporary. Prices will usually be rolled back for just a couple of weeks, so grab those items while you can!

There’s a lot to bargain with when it comes to finding deals like a pro, but hopefully these tips help you save at Walmart. And keep an eye out for these common grocery store tricks to avoid spending more than you need to.