If you love bargain hunting, January is one of the best months of the year to shop at Ross Dress for Less. This year’s clearance event is predicted to be on Jan 26. Every year, shoppers report extreme clearance markdowns, with select items dropping as low as $0.49 as stores clear out old inventory to make room for new merchandise.

Mark down schedule:

Jan 12 – First markdown (Up to 70% off)

Jan 19 – Second markdown (up to 80% off

Jan 26 – Last and final markdown (as low as $0.49)

This is not an advertised sale, but it does happen as part of Ross’s January clearance markdown schedule. The sale has happened every year in January for more than 5 years. Below is everything you need to know before heading to the store — including what’s real, what’s not, and how to shop without frustration.

What Is the Ross $0.49 Clearance?

The Ross $0.49 clearance is the final stage of Ross’s January markdown process, where items that haven’t sold at earlier clearance prices are manually reduced again — sometimes all the way down to $0.49.

These markdowns:

– Happen in-store only

– Apply only to already-clearanced items

– Vary by store, inventory, and timing

Some items may land at $0.49, while others drop to $2, $3, or slightly higher — but overall, prices are very cheap.

When Do the Deepest Markdowns Happen?

Historically, the lowest Ross clearance prices appear toward:

Last year markdowns slowly started second week of January in select departments. Then on the last week of January starting on Monday, the final and deepest markdowns.

Because markdowns are done manually, pricing does not happen all at once. Showing up right when the store opens does not guarantee you’ll see the cheapest prices yet.

Important Things to Know Before You Go

Okay soooooo — before you head out thinking everything is going to be $0.49, here’s what you need to remember:

1. Not Everything Will Be $0.49

– Anything that is already clearanced gets scanned and marked down again.

– Sometimes it’s $0.49 Sometimes it’s $2 or $3 Either way — it’s cheap

– Just don’t expect the entire store to be pennies.

2. Markdowns Take Time

– Ross employees manually tag items one by one.

– Think about how long it would take to walk through your entire house and sticker every item — that’s exactly why markdowns roll out slowly.

– You may need to check back more than once

– Prices may change throughout the day or week

3. Be Kind to Employees

– This shouldn’t even have to be said — but please be respectful.

– Don’t hover Don’t crowd Don’t pressure staff

– Employees are just doing their jobs, and this isn’t an advertised sale they control.

4. Employees Will Likely Say the Sale Doesn’t Exist

Because this is not an official promotion, if you ask:

“Is the $0.49 sale happening here?”

You’ll probably be told no.

That does not mean there aren’t deep clearance markdowns happening — it just means it’s part of their internal clearance schedule, not a public event.

5. Every Store Is Different. This is huge.

– High-traffic stores where people buy clearance early will have fewer ultra-cheap items.

– Slower stores will have more leftover inventory and deeper discounts

– The items being marked down are pieces that have been sitting in that specific store for a while.

6. Look for Pink Tags

– The deepest markdowns are usually marked with pink clearance stickers.

Check all departments — not just the clearance racks:

– Clothing

– Shoes

– Home

– Beauty

– Accessories

– Seasonal items

Sometimes the best deals are mixed in with regular merchandise.

What Can You Find on Clearance?

– Items vary by store, but shoppers often report clearance finds like:

– Clothing basics & seasonal apparel

– Shoes & accessories

– Home décor

– Beauty products

– Toys & small gifts

Not everything will be a win — but when you find a deal, it can be really good.

Final Tips for Scoring the Best Deals

– Go in with time and patience

– Be prepared to dig

– Visit more than one location if possible

– Check back on different days

– Keep expectations realistic — this is a treasure hunt, not a guarantee

Final Thoughts

The Ross $0.49 clearance is real, but it’s not simple, instant, or identical at every store. If you understand how the markdown process works and shop with patience, you can score some incredible deals — sometimes for literal pocket change.

If you’re flexible, respectful, and willing to look around, January can be one of the best times of the year to shop Ross.