Should I discount basics and trendy pieces the same way during a summer sale?
No. Basics like solid tanks still sell into fall and need lighter discounts (20–25% max). Trendy items like bold prints lose value fast and should be marked down earlier and deeper.
“A solid-color tank top is still going to sell in September. A tropical print romper is basically worthless after Labor Day.”
One of the biggest mistakes in markdown planning is treating all product categories the same. A solid-color tank top can still sell in September, but a tropical print romper is essentially worthless after Labor Day. Their markdown strategies should reflect that difference.
Add a category column to your inventory spreadsheet. Label items as Type A (basics), Type B (trend pieces like bold prints and swimwear), or Type C (transition pieces that work into fall). Run separate tier triggers for each category. Basics should get lighter discounts, maxing out around 20–25%, because they have a longer natural selling window. Trend pieces should move into markdowns faster and go deeper because their value evaporates with the season.
This nuance protects margin on items that would have sold at full price anyway while ensuring you clear the pieces that truly will become dead inventory if they're still on the floor in September.
Listen to the full episode: Episode 25: How to Price Your Summer Sale to Protect Margins While Clearing Inventory (The Math Every Boutique Needs)
More answers from this episode
- How do I build a tiered markdown ladder for my boutique's summer sale?
- How do I calculate my true cost per piece for boutique inventory?
- How do I create a weekly markdown dashboard for my boutique?
- How do I set up Shopify compare-at price for a sale correctly?
- Should I put my best-selling styles on sale during a summer clearance?
- Should I try anything before putting summer inventory on sale?
Source: BoutiquePulse podcast. Last updated: 2026-06-03 · Sourcing & methodology · Corrections log