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Prune Carefully as You Make Room for New — Weekly Retail Tidbits #207

ByAmyFay Chandler

“Prune the branches that no longer belong to the future.”

— Dr. Joe Dispenza

Crape myrtles are pretty, aren’t they? It’s interesting to watch different neighbors of ours employ different strategies with their care. In late winter, some chop them down to their trunks, some prune and some just let them grow.

I got to thinking about how merchandise is treated those same ways by different retailers. It’s especially apparent after the 2 biggest gift markets – January and July.

Since many of you are returning from Atlanta to shipments arriving daily, I thought it would be fun to remind you to prune carefully as you make room for new.

There is no need to redo the whole store (cut the whole tree back), and there is no reason to keep everything (let it grow thick and wild). Everything is not selling equally. Some things do need to move to make room for new.

  • The display that is dusty and not turning? That’s a weak branch.
  • Those impulse items that everyone picks up but doesn’t buy? Those are branches growing in the wrong direction.
  • The items hiding your best-selling items? Those are shoots crowding your center.

Timing Matters

Just like you don’t prune during fast growing seasons, you don’t do your major cleaning out during your busiest times. Use this slower time to get ready for what is coming. Your store will look better and sell better.

Look for what is truly under-performing. For example, if it has already been through one holiday season and you still have it – yup. Prune. (Sale section!)

When you take time to think and prune carefully, you should end up with a well-curated flourishing garden of gifts.

Have I told you thank you? Have I told you how bright your future is?😎

Remember – inventory is your least scary investment. You can usually get your money back. Your space, labor and other fixed costs are the scariest.
But be smart with your inventory – keep it pruned for best returns!

Cheers to abundant blooming sales!
xoxo,
❤️ AmyFay

Remember:

  • Remove weakest sellers first.
  • Strengthen what remains.

Cheers to a bright second half of 2025!
❤️ AmyFay

I’m AmyFay Chandler, a Knoxville-based wholesale sales rep serving independent retailers in Tennessee and Kentucky through Tango Showroom. I also represent Sweet Tree Jewelry and Caroline B Cook nationwide. Before I became a rep, I built two T-shirt lines, ran my own retail business, bought home and gift for Elder’s Ace Hardware, and worked with Werner Frank. I have been the maker, buyer, retailer, rep, and person at the register, so I evaluate every line from the store floor first.

I write the Morning Retail Tidbit and Friday Retail Tidbits to help local retailers buy smarter, merchandise with intention, and keep their stores valuable.

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