Spring 2013

Manage Your Markdowns! By Becky Tyre

Remember the hot-selling item that you reordered too late and the time you got talked into ordering six-dozen of something to get a super deal? The remainders are likely on a sale table or clearance area in your store. Here are a few ideas to help you bid a quick goodbye to those not-so-good buys.

X Marks the Spot

Parchment Paper has a sale corner inside a gazebo constructed at the rear of the store. Customers know to look there for seasonal sales and permanent markdowns.



Sassafras Sweet Shoppe draws attention to the “Sassy Steals” shelves by adding red balloons to the sassy sales cupboard. Located behind a staircase, the sale area is near the checkout counter in a spot ideal for last-minute add-on purchases.

Sign Language

Earth Inspired Living hangs a professionally printed sign above a display table, converting it to a sale table when there is markdown merchandise to move.

Take advantage of the “words and letters” trend by using S-A-L-E letters placed on shelves or hung on a wall to identify a special sale area. These letters are available in wholesale showrooms or buy them at a craft store and paint them in eye-catching colors.

Becky Tyre

Becky Tyre is the senior trends editor for GIFT SHOP Magazine and the owner of the Retail Details blog.