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How to Plan a Successful After-Christmas Sale

An after-Christmas sale can turn leftover holiday inventory into extra revenue and shoppers are ready for bargains. The most effective approach is to price strategically, bundle related items, repurpose products for later holidays and donate whatever remains.


Why should you hold an after-Christmas sale?

  • Holiday spending is growing.
    The National Retail Federation forecasts consumer spending will be up 4.2% this 2026 holiday season.1

  • Consumers start earlier, which lengthens the season.
    Businesses either sell out or end up with extra inventory from larger-than-usual orders.

  • Shoppers keep buying after December 25.
    Last year, 70% of consumers planned to shop after Christmas to use gift cards and take advantage of sales.2

  • Shoppers look for deals.
    More than 64% of online shoppers wait for items to go on sale and 59% look for promo codes before purchasing.3

How should you price items for a post-holiday sale?

Choose which items to feature based on popularity and remaining quantity and check each product’s shelf life.

  • Offer deep discounts on holiday-themed items with high inventory.
  • Promote smaller discounts on popular items with low stock.
  • Try BOGO deals on slower movers.

The goal is to generate as many sales as possible while making room for fresh merchandise.

70% of consumers planned to shop post-holiday sales in 2025.2

Can you repurpose holiday inventory for other occasions?

Yes. Many products can be gifted throughout the year, so promote them for upcoming occasions such as New Year’s parties, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Gift items for friends and family on special occasions might include:

  • Jewelry
  • Tableware
  • Candles
  • Food items

What are unique ways to move inventory?

Package similar or related items together to create gift baskets and grab bags. For example, lotion, bath salts, eye masks, and scented soaps become a “spa-day” basket. You can also break apart higher-priced prepackaged sets and sell the items individually to make them more affordable.


What should you do with unsold inventory?

Consider donating it. Businesses that donate new leftover inventory to IRS-qualified organizations may be eligible for federal tax deductions. Other requirements may apply, so confirm what can be donated and to whom. When recording a donation, credit the items’ original cost to the purchase account and debit the donations account. Consult a tax professional about your situation.


Are you ready to host an after-Christmas sale?

Consumers keep hunting for deals after the holidays, and some start shopping for the next season’s gifts right away. A post-Christmas sale gives you additional revenue and clears aging inventory.

Contact Synovus about inventory management and secure in-store and online payments. Call 1-888-SYNOVUS (1-888-796-6887) or visit a local branch.

Important disclosure information

This content is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment advice. You are encouraged to consult with competent legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment professionals based on your specific circumstances. We do not make any warranties as to accuracy or completeness of this information, do not endorse any third-party companies, products, or services described here, and take no liability for your use of this information. Diversification does not ensure against loss.

  1. Mastercard, “U.S. Holiday Spending Outlook 2024: Meet This Year’s Holiday Shopper” Back
  2. Google/Ipsos, Think with Google, “Consumer Continuous Study,” November 2023 Back
  3. Google/Ipsos, U.S. Holiday Shopping Study, “Holiday Shopping Insights: Keep Momentum with Devoted Shoppers,” January 2024 Back