It may be the case for food items but returned items are often (at some stores) repackaged, resealed, and put right back on the shelf. When the shelf is empty except for the boxes that were obviously retaped, they mark it down as a sale price. It will go on clearance if it is mangled. On occassion it gets donated in bulk as a tax write off. Seeing it placed in a cart with broken items does not imply they throw it out.
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