August is almost here, and as the last month of the summer sales season, that means it's time to start preparing for a big clearance sale. These events are beneficial for both retailers and customers – your shoppers get some fantastic deals, and you get rid of the last few items on your display tables that simply won't sell later on when the weather changes. Here are a few methods you can employ to make sure that your 2013 Summer Clearance Sale is the best on record.
Getting the word out
The first step to any successful sale is spreading the word. It's no longer enough to put a sign in your storefront window. Nowadays, you need to reach out to your shoppers via social media. There are a number of creative ways to do this. For example, consider posting tweets every day that list reasons why your customers must visit your clearance sale. Try posting a few pictures of your mannequins or jewelry displays on Pinterest, showing followers that you have some great items up for grabs.
Organize it well
Even if you run fantastic social media campaigns, you'll lose business if you don't set up your display in a smart way. You don't want to put it too close to the front of the store, because then shoppers will simply come in, buy discount items on your clothing racks and gondola shelves, then leave. However, you also don't want to put your clearance items way in the back where customers won't be able to find them. Strive to strike a happy medium – place the sales racks in a location that prompts shoppers to walk past your full-price items, but also make sure it's easily visible when your customers enter the shop. Store signs pointing the way can be a big help!
Choose items to let go
The items that you stock on your clearance wall displays and shelves could make or break your sale's success. The vast majority of your marked-down items should be products that won't sell when summer is over. For example, brightly colored shorts and tank tops are unlikely to sell after September or October. That being said, it's a good idea to also stock the shelves with a few items that aren't necessarily summer-specific. This will show shoppers that you aren't simply trying to get rid of seasonal products, but that you are truly trying your best to offer some fantastic deals.
