Shoppers hunting for costumes, decorations, and festive treasures know that thrift stores are goldmines for one-of-a-kind finds. Whether it’s a vintage Christmas ornament, a retro Halloween costume, or a gently-used artificial tree, they’ll pay more for the right find — especially when priced to reflect its value.
That kind of demand creates your biggest opportunity of the year. Strategic price increases, fast post-holiday clearance, and smart storage decisions help you make the most of your peak weeks.
These four holiday pricing strategies show how to price for seasonal highs, plan markdowns, and make storage decisions that keep your sales floor profitable all year.
Some items have short but powerful selling windows. When demand is high, thrift stores can charge more without losing budget-conscious shoppers.
Two seasonal categories that reliably drive extra revenue are Halloween costumes and Christmas décor.
Halloween delivers one of the biggest sales spikes of the year. Interest starts early in the month (and for some, in September), then surges during the final week. With chain retailers charging $50+ per costume, shoppers head to thrift stores for affordable — and often more unique — options.
Get the most value from donated and low-cost costume stock:
Segment by quality: List costumes that are new (especially with tags), popular characters, and plus-size options at the higher end of your range.
Bundle for higher spend: Pair costumes with accessories like wigs and masks at a slightly reduced bundle rate.
Plan final markdowns: Keep rates firm until the last 48 hours before Halloween, then drop to clearance levels to empty the racks.
Pull last year’s sales reports in your point of sale (POS) system to see the fastest-moving styles and their price points. Use those insights to fine-tune next year’s holiday pricing strategies.
November offers strong potential for holiday décor sales, from individual ornaments to large artificial trees. With big-box stores as customer benchmarks, make sure your prices emphasize affordability and exclusive appeal.
List standout pieces at a premium: Vintage ornaments, collectible figurines, and well-kept trees deserve upper-range pricing, especially when they’re rare or in excellent condition.
Price in tiers: Create different price levels for decorations based on size, material, or craftsmanship so shoppers see clear options for every budget.
Bundle for bigger transactions: Offer discounts when customers purchase sets of similar items, such as “three ornaments for $5” or “two wreaths for $12.”
These holiday pricing strategies help you move more inventory while shoppers are eager to decorate and hunting for those final touches.
When the season ends, yesterday’s top sellers can quickly become shelf clutter. A planned markdown schedule keeps your store organized and ready for the next rush.
Clear out leftover stock with these post-holiday steps:
Start with gradual discounts: Drop prices 25-30% the day after the holiday, then increase to 50-75% within two weeks if items remain.
Use color-coded tags: Give holiday items a unique tag color so staff can spot and discount them. You can also run discounts on specific tag colors so customers easily know what’s on sale.
Create value bins: Bundle similar items (like “holiday kitchenware” or “ornament grab bags”) at one flat price to move them in volume.
Strategic markdowns clear space, keep shelves fresh, and make room for the next wave of sales opportunities.
Not every holiday item needs to stay in storage until next year. Proper pricing and placement allow some donated goods to be sold year-round.
Here’s how to price out-of-season items to keep them moving:
Keep everyday pricing: Sell versatile pieces like glassware, trays, and linens at regular rates year-round.
Reframe their use: Market Christmas lights for weddings or summer parties, and costumes for themed events.
Rotate in limited batches: Host events like “Christmas in July” or “Summerween” to spark novelty and raise sales.
Use your POS to alert loyal customers when limited holiday stock hits the floor, and build anticipation for the next big season.
Donations arrive year-round, but many are ideal for Halloween or Christmas. When items come in during off-months like January through March, decide which to save for next season — and which to sell now to free up space.
Follow these steps to make smart keep-or-sell decisions:
Review past sales: Check two to three years of POS data to see which items consistently sell well during the holidays.
Factor in storage costs: Consider space, staff time, and upkeep before committing to holding an item.
Assess condition and style: Skip storing fragile, damaged, or overly trendy pieces that may lose appeal.
The right pricing and storage decisions can turn every holiday season into a revenue boost — and your POS system can make those calls easier.
Every holiday season is a chance to raise profits — if you have the right pricing, markdown, and storage plan. You need insight into which items to mark up, when to start discounts, and what’s worth saving for next year.
ThriftCart gives you clear answers. Seasonal reports show which holiday items sell best at specific prices and times, compare results year over year, and reveal patterns you can use to fine-tune pricing and storage plans.
With tools to tag items for quick markdowns, track storage lists, and pull sales history in seconds, ThriftCart makes holiday planning faster, easier, and more profitable.
Put your holiday pricing strategies to work. Use ThriftCart’s Build and Price tool to set up your system and prepare for your most profitable season yet.