5 Smart Ways to Turn Excess Inventory into a Marketing Opportunity

Unlock new value from slow-moving products and boost your brand visibility.

If you’re like most retailers, you’ve experienced this dilemma: a product you believed would fly off the shelves just... didn’t. Now it’s sitting in storage, tying up capital and taking up valuable space. But before you write it off as a loss and start searching “how to liquidate my inventory,” consider this:

That unsold merchandise might be the marketing opportunity your brand needs.

Here are five creative and cost-effective ways to sell your excess inventory — while using it to grow your business at the same time.

Turn Excess Inventory into Promotional Giveaways

Customers love a deal — especially when it includes a free item. Use your excess inventory as:

• Free gifts with purchase (e.g., “Spend $50, get a free pair of sunglasses”)
• Buy one, get one (BOGO) offers
• Limited-time bundle deals

Promotional items can increase cart value, strengthen customer loyalty, and attract new shoppers who respond to deals. You can also brand these items with your company logo to increase visibility.

• Marketing Bonus: Use the promotion across social media, email marketing, or paid ads to create urgency and a stronger call-to-action.

Sell Through Daily Deal Sites

Sites like Groupon Goods, Daily Steals, and NoMoreRack cater to value-driven shoppers and are actively looking for discount inventory they can sell in bulk.

If you have 200+ units of a product that isn’t moving — like seasonal shoes, beauty items, or accessories — these platforms offer:

• Quick liquidation
• Exposure to a massive audience
• Drop-ship or consignment-style fulfillment

For businesses asking “Where can I sell my excess inventory and gain visibility?”, daily deal sites offer both revenue recovery and potential new customers.

Use eBay Wholesale to Reach New Buyers

eBay Wholesale is a valuable resource when you’re dealing with:

• Mixed inventory lots
• Smaller quantities
• Varied product conditions

It allows you to list multiple types of merchandise in one listing — and attract wholesale buyers actively searching for liquidation deals.

This platform is ideal for resellers and small business buyers who want a bargain. It’s also a great way to build new connections with buyers who may want to purchase from you again in the future.

Create Targeted Coupons to Drive Store Traffic

What better way to clear out slow sellers than by offering customers a reason to come back?

By creating coupon codes specifically tied to your excess inventory, you can:

• List the codes on top coupon sites like RetailMeNot, CouponSherpa, or Wow-Coupons
• Include the discount in your email marketing campaigns
• Promote a “limited inventory clearance” event across social media

When customers find a great deal on your excess stock, they’re more likely to check out other full-price items — increasing average order value and customer lifetime value.

Liquidate Through a Specialized Partner

If time is limited or your inventory load is large and diverse, the most efficient option may be to liquidate through a full-service liquidation company.

That’s where LiquidateNow comes in. As a vendor-first program powered by Via Trading, it allows you to:

• Sell your inventory in bulk to one or more buyers
• List your products through multiple marketing channels
• Track your sales in real time
• Get paid quickly — with no upfront costs

Some of our partners even receive added exposure in the form of vendor case studies, helping grow their business beyond just the sale.

 Bonus: Our team does all the heavy lifting — from packaging and marketing, to sales and customer management — so you can focus on what’s next.

 Extra Tip: Donate or Promote Locally

• Donate to charities: Gain a tax write-off and potential PR exposure from nonprofit partners.
• Post on Craigslist: Especially for large, bulky items like furniture or displays — and include links back to your business.

Even one Craigslist post with a strong “excess inventory clearance” pitch can drive valuable local traffic.

Final Thought: Think Beyond the Discount

Unsold inventory doesn’t have to be a loss. It can be a marketing tool, customer incentive, or brand builder — if you approach it strategically.

So next time you think, “I need to sell my excess inventory fast…”

Try one of these creative strategies to recover value while growing your visibility.