How to plan a clearance sale event
May 10, 2025
Clearance sales are a fantastic way to boost cash flow, clear out old inventory, and attract new customers. If you're new to reselling or running online shops, planning a successful clearance event might seem overwhelming. The good news? With a little prep and the right tools, anyone can do it—no big team or advanced tech skills required. Here’s a simple, actionable guide for beginners.
1. Define Your Goals and Inventory
Start by clarifying what you want your clearance sale to achieve. Are you aiming to free up space, make room for new stock, recover capital, or reach new buyers? Knowing your goals helps you make decisions on pricing, marketing, and more.
Make a List: Gather all the items you want to include. If your inventory isn’t already organized, now’s a perfect time to list what you have—descriptions, quantities, conditions, and where it’s currently stored (both physically and online).
Check for Restrictions: Some platforms have rules about what can be sold or discounted, so double-check before listing.
2. Use a Central Inventory System
If you sell on multiple platforms (like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or your own website), keeping listings and inventory in sync is crucial. A central inventory system lets you update stock levels, descriptions, and prices in one place and pushes changes everywhere else—reducing mistakes and overselling.
Try a solution like Gavelbase, which is especially useful for small teams and beginners. It helps keep listings, stock, and sales synced across your sales channels.
Other options include spreadsheet trackers or multi-channel listing tools like InkFrog or Selled, but make sure they fit your comfort level.
Once your system is set, upload or update your clearance items. Mark them clearly as part of your event (e.g., "Spring Clearance").
3. Assign Basic Team Roles
Even if you’re a solo seller, assigning roles—either to yourself or helpers—keeps things organized. For a small team, consider these roles:
Inventory Manager: Updates listings, tracks stock, and adjusts quantities.
Sales Tracker: Monitors sales as they come in, checks payment status, and tracks fees.
Shipping/Local Pickup Coordinator: Handles packing, labeling, arranging shipping, and communicating with buyers about pickups.
If you’re doing it all yourself, block out focused times for each task. If you have helpers, write clear instructions or checklists—Google Docs or shared notes work fine.
4. Set Pricing and Discounts
Decide on discounts: will you slash prices by a set percentage (e.g., 30% off), offer bundle deals, or use "Buy One Get One" offers? Mark items with their original price and the new clearance price so buyers see the value.
Be realistic: Don’t price so low you lose money after fees—factor in any costs from your sales platforms or payment processors.
For items that haven’t moved in ages, consider a deeper discount to move them out.
5. Promote Your Event
Update product titles and descriptions to mention the clearance (e.g., "Clearance: Vintage Jacket, 40% Off!").
Use social media: Post on your business pages, local groups, or Instagram stories. You can even create a simple graphic using free tools like Canva.
Email your customer list if you have one, highlighting the best deals and how long the event lasts.
List in local buy/sell groups if you’re offering local pickup or in-person deals.
6. Track Sales and Fees
Keep a running tally of what sells, where it sold, for how much, and what fees were deducted. This helps you see your event’s success and learn which channels work best for next time.
Use your central inventory system’s reporting features, or a simple spreadsheet logging date, item, sale price, fee, and net profit.
Check each platform’s fee structure—eBay, Facebook, and others all have different rules and percentages.
7. Manage Shipping and Pickup Smoothly
Pack items as soon as they sell—don’t wait until the end of the event. This reduces errors and keeps shipping timely.
Use clear labels and double-check addresses before shipping.
For local pickup, arrange convenient windows and communicate clearly with buyers. Consider public locations for safety, and keep a log of who picked up what.
8. After the Event: Review and Follow Up
Analyze your results: What sold best? Which platforms performed? Did your pricing work?
Follow up with buyers—a simple thank you or feedback request goes a long way and encourages repeat business.
Update your inventory to remove sold items and plan for the next event.
Quick Tips for Beginner-Friendly Success
Start small: Even a dozen items can make a great clearance event.
Keep your process written down, so it’s easier next time.
Don’t stress about fancy systems—consistency and clear communication are more important.
If you try a central inventory tool, choose one with good support and tutorials. Gavelbase is beginner-friendly, but explore what fits you best.
Resources & Further Reading
With these steps, your clearance event will be organized, efficient, and much less stressful. Happy selling!