The short answer: list every item with no sale in the last 90 days, then clear it with bundles, step-by-step markdowns, or a supplier swap or return — and stop it being reordered. Dead stock isn’t just clutter; it’s cash you can’t spend on the products that do sell.
1. Find it: no sale in 90 days
Run a report of items with stock on hand and no sales in 90 days (pick a period that suits your trade — seasonal shops may use a full season). That list is where your frozen cash is.
2. Bundle it with a best-seller
Pair a slow item with something popular. Customers buy the bundle for the item they want, and the slow one finally moves.
3. Mark it down in steps
Start small — 10%, then 20%, then 30% — a week or two apart. Jumping straight to half price gives away margin you may not have needed to lose.
4. Swap or return it
Many suppliers will swap or credit unsold stock, especially if you’re a regular customer. It never hurts to ask.
And don’t reorder it
Flag cleared items so they aren’t reordered automatically. Otherwise the same problem is back in three months.
Related: cut stock loss · track product profit.