clearance
KLEER-uhns
/ˈklɪə.rəns/
A sale in which goods are sold cheaply in order to get rid of them.
Usually implies the store is making room for new inventory and wants the old stock gone entirely.
The story behind the word. Derived from 'clear', this term appeared in the 16th century to mean the act of removing obstacles. In retail, it literally means 'clearing' the shelves of old products to make space for the new.
Word relationships
- liquidation: Liquidation is more formal and often implies a business is closing down.
- restock: The act of bringing in new goods rather than clearing them out.
Commonly confused with
- markdown: A markdown is just a price drop; a clearance is the event or purpose of removing stock.
Word family
- clear (verb): To remove or empty.
Collocations
- clearance sale
- inventory clearance
- final clearance
Example sentences
- "The store is holding a massive clearance sale to liquidate its winter inventory." A newspaper reporting on retail trends.
- "Inventory clearance is necessary to maintain warehouse efficiency." A formal business report regarding inventory management.
Memory hook
The store needs to 'clear' the 'entrance' (clearance) for new boxes. Empty the shelves.
When not to use
Don't use it for a standard weekly sale; it implies a final, deep-discount event.
Fun facts
- Clearance items are often sold 'as-is,' meaning they cannot be returned.
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