Nothing worse than driving to Target just to find the specific item you need is out-of-stock. Or maybe you’re trying to be the “first buyer” on a hot Christmas toy, box of sports cards, or new video game. In either case, I wanted to learn everything there is to know about when Target restocks and use it to my advantage. I hope these helpful tips and tricks will get you what you need … the first time around.

Target Does Not Restock Perishables Daily

Target definitely does not restock food daily, especially perishable grocery items like produce, dairy, meat, and bread.

I asked at several Target stores over the past 12 months what time of day they restock groceries and was told the truck usually shows up right before closing, except for Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

So this means that produce and other perishables will NOT be super fresh on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Take that information to mean that you’ll find the following items to be the freshest on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday:

• Eggs
• Bread
• Milk
• Dairy Items
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meats
• Hot Foods
• Bakery Items

Since these items don’t get restocked daily at Target, they provide an EXCELLENT money-saving opportunity.

Which brings us to our first pro tip…

PRO TIP: TARGET SLASHES PRICES NEAR “BEST-BY” DATES

Start looking for slashed prices on “day old” breads and meats at Target, stuff that’s still within the expiration date…but getting close to expiring. Target doesn’t want to throw this stuff away at a big loss, so they’ll happily slash the price and sell it for a big discount. I’ve seen deals in the 70-90% off range on bread, doughnuts, deli meats, and even steaks. If you know you’ll use it that day, or that night for dinner, take advantage of the HUGE savings and always check out the clearance “shelf” in the meat and bakery department. If you can’t find the clearance stuff, just ask an employee and they’ll point you in the right direction.

See Also: What’s a Target Salvage Store? and How to Find One Near You

Sign Up For Alerts When Items Come Back In-Stock

Stay ahead of the game by signing up for Target restocking alerts.

Target Restock Alert Via Text: On your Target app on your phone, click on the “notify me” button next to the item you want to be notified of when it is back in stock.

Target Restock Alert Via Email: On your Target.com account, click on the “notify me when it’s back” button to receive a notification via email when that specific item is back in stock.

PRO TIP: NEW STOCK CAN DEPEND ON DISTANCE FROM DISTRIBUTION CENTER

If you have a Target distribution center near you, you can guarantee you’ll get new stock more frequently than if you don’t. If you’re not sure, just ask an employee, I’ve found they’re very open with the information. This is especially important information if you’re trying to be “the first buyer” on items like sports cards, Pokémon cards, new video games, collectibles, or hot toys around Christmas.

What About Restocking Online at Target.com?

Unfortunately, there is no hard-set rule when it comes to what and when products are restocked online at Target.com.

However, don’t lose all hope for Target’s online shopping experience just because an item is out of stock.

Instead, sign up to be notified when the product you want is back in stock.

The Best Days for “New” Clearance Items

Sometimes Target restocks come in the form of newly added products to the clearance section.

Each weekday there is a certain section of the store where new clearance markdowns and restocks occur.

Keep your eyes on the prize and take note of the following days when new Target clearance items drop:

• Monday – Electronics, Accessories, Kids Clothing, Books, Baby, Stationery
• Tuesday – Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets, Market (food items)
• Wednesday – Men’s Clothing, Health and Beauty, Diapers, Lawn & Garden Items, and Furniture
• Thursday – Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Toys, Sporting Goods, Décor & Luggage
• Friday – Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, Jewelry

There’s most certainly a science involved when it comes to understanding Target clearance tips and tricks and this tip certainly fits the bill.

Shopping on the right day of the week is not exclusive to Target, check out my article on other store markdown days and learn to save BIG at your favorite retailer.

The Best Time Of Day To Shop At Target

The absolute best time to shop at Target is first thing in the morning.

The majority of Target locations restock their inventory between 12 am and 6 am because the stores are (obviously) closed.

This makes it easier for workers to stock shelves more efficiently without the constant interruption from busy shoppers.

As a result, expect shelves to be fully stocked in the morning, especially for daily restock items like perishable groceries discussed earlier.

If you’re on the hunt for your favorite little Christmas cookies from the bakery section, be sure to set your alarm and don’t take the risk of them not being there later on in the day.

The same goes for popular gaming system like the PS5, shop early in the morning and your chances of scoring the PlayStation 5 greatly increase.

See Also: The Target Dollar Spot: Maximize Your Savings When You Shop

What About Toys, Electronics, Clothing, And Home Décor?

Depending on the availability and demand for the item, Target usually restocks general merchandise 2 to 3 times a week.

Yet, there is no specific time or schedule Target follows to restock these types of items.

Therefore, if you are curious when your local Target is restocking toys, electronics, clothing, and/or home décor, contact your store directly for more information.

Ask the Reader: Do you have any insider tips on when Target restocks certain items that I may have missed? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)