I know people that work there, I've talked to them over time, clearance is controlled by headquarters. What the criteria are, I don't know, they don't know, but it is a headquarters decision, they just do what the screen on the scanner says. I do know a few years ago that when one store clearanced something, they all did and the %'s were the same, that changed and the timing and pricing now varies.
For most items once one store clearances an item they all will, there are exceptions but they are just that, exceptions. If I see something go clearance in around a quantity of 3 stores, it's going to go away in all the local stores is my rule of thumb, that rule holds pretty true almost all the time.
I live in the land of Targets don't ya know

I could drive to any of about 50 odd of them in about an hours time.....
I've hit the 11 quantity mark on clearance 7949's now, it's HARD to pass up a $2 Castle minifig

Build? I merely Acquire atm.