How to Run Promotions and Sales in Your Shop

Types of Promotions and Sales That Drive Traffic

Storewide sales: 10-50% off everything for a set time great for holidays, anniversaries, or seasons’ end.
Category or color tag discounts: “All blue-tagged items 50% off this weekend only!”
BOGO (Buy One, Get One): Works especially well with clothing, accessories, or books.
Pop-up events: One-day flash sales, mystery discount days, or sidewalk clearance tables.
Exclusive sales for email list or VIP shoppers: Make customers feel special and reward loyalty.

How to Plan Your First Sale (Without Stress)

Choose a goal: move slow inventory, boost foot traffic, or make room for new arrivals?
Set a clear start/end date. Most effective sales run 1–5 days keep it exciting and time-limited.
Decide which categories, tags, or inventory get marked down.
Prep signage in-store and update your flyer/social/email with all sale info.

Advertising Your Promotion for Maximum Impact

Update Google, Facebook, Instagram, and website with details, times, and example markdowns.
Send a “Sale Alert” email to your customer list before and during the event.
Make a flyer or poster for your window even handwritten “SALE ON NOW!” gets noticed.
Encourage staff to tell every shopper at checkout leading up to the sale.

Tips for Smooth Sale Day(s)

Tag discounted items in advance color stickers, labels, or price tags all work.
Have enough staff for busy times; prep for lines at checkout and dressing rooms.
Bundle or upsell: “Buy 3, get 1 free!” or “Extra 10% off when you buy $50 or more!”
Remind shoppers of any return/exchange policy changes for sale items.

Tracking Results and Making Every Sale Count

Review total sales and foot traffic before, during, and after each event.
Check which categories or items moved best and plan next sales based on these insights.
Your consignment software report should break down sales numbers by day, discount, or tag making “what worked” clear.

FAQ: Promotions and Sales for Resale Shop Owners

Can I run weekly or monthly sales, or does that hurt my brand?

Weekly sales train customers to wait for discounts unless carefully managed. Monthly or seasonal events feel special and urgent use frequent promotions sparingly for best profit.

How do I pick what to include in a sale?

Target slow sellers, off-season items, or consignor clearance. Storewide sales work for traffic, but category sales ("Winter gear 40% off") help manage inventory flow.

Will I upset consignors by marking down their items?

Include markdown and sale permission in your original agreement. Most consignors want their items to sell even at a lower price and appreciate faster payout.

How should I handle returns or exchanges during a sale?

Post a clear “All sale items final” sign near checkout. If you permit returns, note any exceptions for final clearance or heavily discounted goods in your policy and on receipts.

Quick Checklist for Running Promotions and Sales

Choose a focused goal and sale theme
Decide what’s discounted (storewide, tag color, category)
Create and update all signage, flyers, and emails
Track sales results and repeat what works!

Next Steps for Better Shop Promotions

Read email marketing tips to boost sales event invitations
Check with support or fellow shop owners for creative sale event ideas
Use your consignment software to print labels, update prices, and view results easily

Best Consignment Shop Software – Trusted Since 2002

Plan, track, and celebrate every winning sale with Best Consignment Shop Software. One-time payment, lifetime access, and no required support prepayments means you can print discount tags, update sale prices, and get reports instantly no subscription hassles. Take the guesswork out of promotions and join hundreds of thriving shops using BCSS since 2002.

Request your free demo or ask how to run smarter sales now