Consumer Alert: Retailers have clearance and outlet websites where you can get back to school clothes for less

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — This consumer alert is bad news for retailers but good news for you.  Tuesday I told parents about the skyrocketing cost of school supplies.  Now I’m talking about back-to-school clothes.

Many major retailers are drowning in overstocked inventory because as inflation soared, consumers stopped spending.  So retailers’ pain is our gain, Analysts predict that we could see major discounts on overstocked items through the rest of the year.  But it’s about knowing where to look.  These clearance sites aren’t advertised.  So I’ve done the work for you.
           
Walmart, Target and Best Buy have all announced that they’re sitting on a glut of inventory.

Kohls, Macy’s and Dillard’s have clearance websites as well.

Everything on the Dillard’s site is 75 percent off.  And don’t forget about online outlet stores.  US News had a great article recently on the best outlets to save you money.

Here are my top five:

• Amazon –  Yes,  Amazon has a website for its overstock and the discounts are deep. 
• J. Crew Factory Clothing is up to 60 percent off.
• Best Buy Outlet – There you’ll find items in one of three categories: open box, refurbished or clearance. Here I found a chrome book for $90.
• 6 pm – This is the outlet for Zappos where shoes and clothing are up to 70 percent off.
• REI Outlet – There you can find up to 50 percent off outerwear.

It’s important to note that the outlet stores’ return policies may not be as generous as their retail counterpart.  For example, J. Crew and 6 pm give you 30 days and they make you pay for shipping and you can’t return anything at Dillard’s that’s 65 percent off or more.  And that’s the difficult thing about buying kid’s clothes online. The sizing is not consistent.  But at Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Kohls, Macy’s and Amazon you can return even clearance items for free.