How to Read a Walmart Price Tag the Right Way

No matter what month or season it is, 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 awhile and it finally goes on sale. Best. Feeling. Ever!

When it comes to shopping at Walmart, there are a couple things you should know before your next run. Here are some pointers to help you sharpen your shopping skills, as well as the truth behind popular rumors about Walmart prices.

Walmart Price Tag FAQs

What’s the lowest price an item will go?

Most Walmart shoppers know to look for a price ending in “.1” because for a long time, that was rumored to be the absolute lowest price an item will go (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” Everyday Low Prices?

It’s not hard to find prices around the store ending in “.97”. Those specific two digits of the Walmart price tag are called “Everyday Low Prices” by both store and buyer, but not all items that end in “.97” are Everyday Low Prices. There have been Rollback prices ending in “.97” 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. Usually, items will stay at a marked down price for a set period of time, usually a month or so, and then will be 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 deeper savings!

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

Are “Rollback markdowns” temporary?

“Rollback markdown” is Walmart price tag lingo for sale—look for the red “Rollback” 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 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.