Here's a little bit of inside info on how WalMart works their inventory and how & why things are sent to clearance. I spent a little over 2 years as an overnight manager, crew trainer and new store opener up until right before the economy tanked. At that time, they were opening a super WalMart about every two weeks somewhere here in the PHX metro area.
Anyway, here's how it works.
WalMart is the largest retailer in the world with over 4,200 stores in the US alone. All it takes is a single order (initial order is 1 case lot and 1 backup case lot) of your product for every store in the US and BAM! You're in the money! That being the case, shelf space at WalMart is a highly coveted commodity - especially for a new company looking to get their product on the shelf and in front of consumers. There are literally hundreds of companies in line waiting for their number to come up and get their shelf space.
Every single item in any given store is tracked internally for its performance. When the quantity on hand reaches predetermined number, it's automatically reordered. On the same token, any item that hasn't sold a single unit in 45 days, is automatically sent to clearance. The department manager is sent an internal email with the item's sku #, clearance price, and authorization code which permits the labeler to print that item's shelf tag with the clearance price. Clearance tags are always red. Depending on how efficient and well staffed a particular store is is directly related to how soon an item actually gets red tagged and moved to the clearance area for that dept. Some dept. mgrs. only do their clearance stuff once per month and some do it weekly while others it seems just do it whenever they feel like it. That's the reason for the variance from store to store. Just because one store will have an item on clearance doesn't mean all stores are getting rid of it.
Now, in contrast to that, there are other types of clearances that have nothing to do with an item's performance i.e., mfr. has discontinued an item, mfr. has changed the label and formula and wants all existing versions gone prior to roll out of the new one or, in some cases, WalMart has severed the relationship with a certain mfr. and clearances all their items system-wide.
So, there ya have it. That's the low down on clearance stuff at WalMart.
Here's another interesting tidbit you might find useful.
All store mgrs. have the ability to stock items that other stores might not. There are lots of stores that carry specialty items that are popular regionally but would never sell in other parts of the country. For example, you won't find snow boots, snow shovels, etc. at a WalMart here in PHX. You WILL find shorts, bathing suits, etc. stocked year round though. That discretion held by the store managers extends to pretty much every kind and type of item packaged for sale in the US. If you ask your local store's manager to start carrying something that's sold elsewhere, and since we're talking about car care products, tell him or her that AutoZone or Advance or whatever local establishment carries the item you are requesting, there's a VERY good chance he or she will bring it in at your request. Appeal to his/her compassionate side by telling them you are a detailer and would very much like to buy your supplies at WalMart rather than the full-retail places. Now, keep in mind, the 45 day rule is in effect as soon as that item hits the shelf so how long your store carries it depends on its performance. But, if they do start stocking it for you, you can bet the price will be lower than the competition.
