Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[XenaLives]

Last year on SI someone was talking about the Home Depot clearance sale generating some nice numbers at the expense of their suppliers.

Apparently HD has enough clout to get goods in at little or no cost on a "trial" basis. These goods were blown out below wholesale last Janurary (I'm remodeling my house and I took some home myself :). Since the cost was WAY below wholesale they were able to liquidate below wholesale and still show a profit.

I know this is just hearsay, but it rings true with my personal experience. I am seeing a lot less clearance merchadise in both Lowe's and Home Depot this year. I am speculating that they stocked leaner and therefore have less to sell out. Lack of bargains could mean substantially weaker January sales.