How to get rid of unsold inventory?

To get rid of unsold inventory, work down this ladder — each rung recovers less cash but frees space and stops carrying costs: (1) targeted markdowns — start early; 20% off while an item is merely slow beats 70% off when it's dead; (2) bundles — attach slow movers to bestsellers at a package price that clears them with dignity; (3) alternate channels — outlet sections, eBay, clearance marketplaces; (4) return-to-vendor if your supplier terms allow it; (5) liquidators — pennies on the dollar, but immediate; (6) donation — a receipt for taxes plus shelf space back; (7) write-off and dispose, the last resort.

The deeper fix is upstream: dead stock is a buying decision that aged badly. Monitoring turnover per SKU and flagging slow movers at 60–90 days — before they calcify — is what keeps the ladder short next season.