Running a Shopify store is exciting — but sitting on shelves full of dead stock? Not so much. Slow-moving products tie up cash, take up space, and eat into your profits. If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce dead stock in your Shopify store without guesswork, you’re in the right place.
Here are 7 actionable strategies to reduce dead stock and improve inventory turnover:
- Smart Price Adjustments: Use Shopify analytics to apply tiered discounts (e.g., 10-15% off for 60-90-day-old stock) and track results.
- Inventory Management Software: Tools like Stocky or Brightpearl offer real-time tracking, demand forecasting, and automated alerts.
- Sales Forecasting: Analyze past sales, market trends, and customer behavior to predict demand and avoid overstock.
- Better Supplier Terms: Negotiate smaller order quantities, flexible return policies, and consignment options to reduce risks.
- Bundle Slow-Moving Items: Pair unsold products with popular ones to clear inventory while boosting sales.
- Sell on Multiple Channels: Expand to platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Instagram to reach more customers and move excess stock.
- Monthly Performance Tracking: Monitor key metrics like "Days of Inventory" and "Average Days to Sell" to spot and fix issues early.
7 Practical Ways to Reduce Dead Stock in Your Shopify Store
Dead stock — inventory that sits unsold for 6 to 12 months — can quietly drain your cash flow, rack up storage costs, and lower your overall profits. But with the right tactics, you can keep things moving. Here are seven straightforward ways to reduce dead stock and keep your Shopify store running lean.
1. Adjust Prices Smartly
Products sitting around for months? Start adjusting prices. Use Shopify’s analytics to identify slow movers and apply small markdowns — around 10–15% — for items sitting between 60 to 90 days. If they’re still not shifting after 120 days, bump up the discount to 30–35%.
Quick tip: Time your price cuts with seasonal shifts. Start lowering prices on summer stock by late August, and continue increasing discounts as the weather cools.
Tools like Prisync can help automate price adjustments, track competitor prices, and schedule sales without constant manual work.
2. Use Inventory Management Tools
Staying on top of your stock levels is half the battle. Inventory management apps such as Stocky or Brightpearl give you real-time visibility of what’s sitting and what’s selling. These tools offer automated alerts for slow-moving items, help you forecast demand, and keep stock synced across multiple sales channels.
Keep an eye on:
- Sell-through rates
- Days of inventory on hand
- Inventory turnover ratio
By tracking these numbers monthly, you can catch problems early and make smarter purchasing decisions.
Brightpearl helps Shopify users by automating inventory management, syncing stock across multiple sales channels, and providing real-time reporting to prevent overstock and improve cash flow.
3. Forecast Demand Accurately
Your past sales data is a goldmine. Look for seasonal patterns, best-sellers during holidays, and purchasing habits. Combine that with current market trends to avoid over-ordering.
What to focus on:
- Historical sales trends
- Shopping peaks (think Black Friday, January sales)
- Emerging trends within your niche
Shopify’s built-in reporting is helpful, but platforms like Lokad can give more in-depth predictive insights for those handling larger inventories.
4. Negotiate Better Supplier Terms
If you’re consistently overstocked, it might be time to renegotiate with suppliers. Ask for smaller order minimums or more flexible return policies. Some suppliers are open to consignment deals, where you only pay for stock when it sells.
What to discuss with suppliers:
- Lower minimum order quantities
- Extended payment terms
- Rush shipping for restocking fast-sellers
- Consignment options for new or unproven products
Backing up negotiations with real sales data can give you more leverage.
5. Bundle Up Slow Movers
Got products collecting dust? Package them with best-sellers. This not only clears out inventory but can also bump up your average order value.
Types of bundles to try:
- Complementary product bundles (e.g., gloves with punching bags)
- Value packs (buy three, get a small discount)
- Seasonal sets (winter gear bundles)
Aim for a 5–15% bundle discount to encourage shoppers without sacrificing too much profit.
6. Sell Across Multiple Platforms
Don’t limit yourself to Shopify alone. Selling on Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace can help you move excess inventory to new audiences.
Where to sell:
- Amazon: For higher volume sales
- eBay: For niche or older items
- Facebook Marketplace: For local sales with low shipping costs
Sync inventory across platforms with apps to prevent overselling. Start small with one or two additional channels and scale up as you go.
Selling on Amazon is a great way to move slow stock that’s gathering dust on your Shopify store. It puts your products in front of millions of shoppers who are actively looking to buy. What doesn’t sell on your site might sell fast on Amazon — giving you a simple way to clear inventory and free up cash.
7. Track Performance Monthly
If you’re not reviewing product performance regularly, you’re flying blind. Set aside time each month to track key metrics so you can catch slow-movers before they become dead stock.
Focus on:
- Days of inventory on hand
- Average days to sell
- Sell-through rate by category
Apps like Inventory Planner or Stocky can simplify reporting and help you make informed decisions.
Quick Recap:
- Start with smart price adjustments
- Use inventory management tools to stay on top of stock
- Forecast demand based on data
- Negotiate supplier terms for flexibility
- Bundle slow movers with popular items
- Sell through multiple channels
- Review product performance every month
When you combine these strategies, you’ll free up cash flow, reduce storage costs, and keep your store stocked with the right products.
If you need help streamlining stock management and strategy, our ecommerce services can support your growth.