Liquidation vs Clearance: What Is the Difference?
Clearance is new stock a store marks down. Liquidation is stock sold off in bulk, often returns.
Clearance
New, on the shelf, bought one at a time, with a receipt from a known retailer.
Liquidation
Pallets or lots sold through liquidators or auctions. Contents may be customer returns, shelf pulls or overstock.
Why it matters
- Liquidation condition varies and is rarely "new"
- Manifests can be incomplete
- You cannot return individual items
Which to choose
Start with clearance. Liquidation suits sellers who have space, time to test items and a way to sell used goods.