Markdown Schedule for Slow-Moving Inventory

Turns a list of items that are not selling into a dated, step-by-step markdown plan with the sale price at each step, so the owner clears old stock on a clear timeline and knows what each markdown costs.

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Before and after

BEFORE · what the owner typed

Pebblewell Boutique, 2966 Oakwell St, Quarryhollow. Phone 336-555-0196. Peggy Stephens (the owner) here. I need a markdown plan starting Monday March 3. Stuff that's not moving: - Pamela Schmidt Studio linen wrap dresses in rust, 6 left, priced $88, I paid $41 each - Quailwell brand hand-poured soy candles, tin lids, 'Fig & Smoke' scent, 14 left, $26, paid $11 - Mohair slouch beanies, 9 left, $34, paid $15 I want to drop prices every 14 days. Use 25%, then 40%, then 55%. Floor on the candles is $12. No floor on the others. All sale items are final sale in store. Want it all gone by April 14.

AFTER · what the skill produced

Pebblewell Boutique markdown schedule
Prepared for Peggy Stephens. 3 items, 29 pieces, $535.00 in cost tied up. Starts Monday March 3, ends April 14. Prices rounded to the nearest cent.

Money tied up (most to least)

Rust linen wrap dresses (Pamela Schmidt Studio): 6 x $41 = $246.00
Fig & Smoke soy candles (Quailwell): 14 x $11 = $154.00
Mohair slouch beanies: 9 x $15 = $135.00
Total: $535.00

Dresses, now $88.00, cost $41.00
| Step | Date | Off | Price | Margin per piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 3 | 25% | $66.00 | $25.00 |
| 2 | March 17 | 40% | $52.80 | $11.80 |
| 3 | March 31 | 55% | $39.60 | Below cost, loss of $1.40 |
Next step after March 31 is the April 14 end date. If all 6 sell at step 3: 6 x $39.60 = $237.60 recovered.

Candles, now $26.00, cost $11.00, floor $12.00
| Step | Date | Off | Price | Margin per piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 3 | 25% | $19.50 | $8.50 |
| 2 | March 17 | 40% | $15.60 | $4.60 |
| 3 | March 31 | 55% | $11.70 | $0.70, but $0.30 below your floor |
If all 14 sell at step 3: 14 x $11.70 = $163.80 recovered.

Beanies, now $34.00, cost $15.00
| Step | Date | Off | Price | Margin per piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 3 | 25% | $25.50 | $10.50 |
| 2 | March 17 | 40% | $20.40 | $5.40 |
| 3 | March 31 | 55% | $15.30 | $0.30 |
If all 9 sell at step 3: 9 x $15.30 = $137.70 recovered.

Total if everything sells at step 3: $237.60 + $163.80 + $137.70 = $539.10, against $535.00 of cost.

Needs your decision

Dresses at step 3 ($39.60) are below your cost. We recommend you decide before March 31 whether to go to 55%.
Candles at step 3 ($11.70) are below your $12.00 floor. Decide whether to hold at step 2 or accept the lower price.
All three items are final sale in store, as you told us. Confirm sale labeling and tax rules locally.

Questions for the owner

Do you want any display or online promotion at each step? None were added.
Should unsold pieces after April 14 be handled a different way? Please tell us what you want.
For inventory write-offs, ask your accountant.

What it does

Use it when: Use when a boutique owner wants a markdown schedule for slow-moving inventory, such as "what should I mark down," "make a clearance plan," "these items aren't selling," or "build me a sale schedule for old stock."