A successful clearance email grabs customers’ attention, sparks urgency, and showcases irresistible deals. It’s a major sales event with a limited window of opportunity, so sending too many clearance emails can dilute the sense of exclusivity and urgency you’re aiming to create.
So, how do you nail it in just one email? In this article, we’ll define what clearance sales emails are, when to use them, and why they’re so effective. We’ll also list some of our favorite examples to inspire your own campaigns and get your creative juices flowing.
Plus, we’ll share some of the best clearance email subject lines to make sure you give the right impression from the off.
Making clearance emails that are effective is easy with Omnisend’s fully customizable templates
A clearance email is a marketing message to existing or potential customers, letting them know you’re having a clear-out of stock. The idea is that some or all items need to go to make way for new stock, so prices will be lower, and they can grab a great bargain.
An obvious use of clearance emails is when you need to clear out old, excess, or seasonal inventory. However, you may also choose to use this marketing ploy to emphasize mega discounts and improve sales for certain items.
Here are some of the key benefits of clearance emails for ecommerce companies:
Boosting traffic: The discounted items on clearance emails get people on your site, where they can purchase clearance or non-clearance items
Re-engagement: Clearance emails are a great way to reel customers back in if they haven’t purchased from you in a while
Customer loyalty: Offering exclusive clearance deals to existing customers and subscribers can improve long-term loyalty
Inventory management: They help you clear out inventory when needed and free up space or reduce storage costs
7 clearance email examples to inspire you
What does a good clearance email look like? You’ve probably had plenty of clearance sale emails in your inbox, but few stick in your mind. Below, we’ll look at some of our favorites that you can use for inspiration alongside our free newsletter templates.
While the subject line may not be groundbreaking, the content of Decathlon’s clearance sales email is exactly what you’re looking for. It opens with a bold heading with “finds” hinting at something hidden and exclusive. The copy below highlights the quality of the goods on offer and explains that there’s something for everyone “for less.”
“GET OUTSIDE” is a fun, on-brand call to action, followed by a few examples of what’s on offer and a button directing readers to a landing page. That’s all topped off by images of people wearing and using some of the items, with a clever focus on skiing — an activity that people travel for all year round, eliminating any implication that products are out-of-season.
It’s clear, concise, and cool.
2. Soak and Sleep
Subject line: Save up to 50% in our BIGGEST EVER clearance
Image via Really Good Emails
Soak and Sleep takes a different, bolder approach. It starts with the attention-grabbing “50%” in the subject line and header image, emphasizing the sort of savings customers can expect. The email opens with the heading “WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE,” giving off a true bargain vibe where everything must go, plus “NEW LINES ADDED” to keep it current and relevant even for readers who have already seen the sale.
“BIGGEST EVER” is capitalized in the subject line, reiterated in the header, which states that the warehouse clearance “just got Bigger.” This pushes the idea that it’s a one-off event not to be missed. It’s no coincidence that high-urgency red and yellow are the colors used in this clearance email example.
Another important feature is the inclusion of specific products to demonstrate the savings on offer. Buttons for each product make it easier for customers to click through and buy. The use of top sellers also provides social proof, hinting that people have been buying in their numbers.
3. Old Navy
Subject line: 30% OFF Clearance (!!!)
Image via Really Good Emails
Old Navy provides another great clearance email example with its 30% off clearance. The subject line uses the tried-and-tested percentage plug, telling customers exactly why they should open the email. Again, red is used for urgency, with capitalization throughout the email for a punchy appearance.
There’s a clever pun with the dual meaning of “big deal” (importance and a bargain), keeping the email friendly and on-brand. Below the main image, buttons for the different product categories show the breadth of the sale but also make it easier for readers to click through to the category they’re interested in.
Another solid feature is the use of the end date, which highlights the sense of urgency — the clearance won’t last forever. Old Navy has also seized the opportunity to boost in-store footfall, promoting an in-store-only flash sale.
4. Keds
Subject line: Sale Is Still On! Enjoy an EXTRA 20% OFF Clearance
Image via Really Good Emails
Footwear brand Keds uses influencers in its clearance email, highlighting how products are still on-trend despite being lower in price. Each listing features an image of an influencer wearing the product, plus their social media handle for easy identification. It includes lifestyle influencer Megan Villiot and the Dwomoh-Piper twins, who are designers and models.
Influencer images are accompanied by a clean, simple product image with the sale price and original price — a mainstay of the clearance sale email. This links to the “EXTRA 20% OFF” mentioned in both the header image and subject line. Interestingly, Keds has used “EXTRA” to suggest that products were already great value before the sale.
Exclusivity is the order of the day, with “GET ACCESS” as the call-to-action at the top of the email. This is reinforced by the influencer focus, with the idea that the reader has to take action to access the clearance sale.
If you want to build clearance sales emails quickly and easily, try Omnisend’s email builder. Choose a template, customize it with your logo and brand colors, add content and products from your store, and you’re good to go. It’s that easy!
5. Bare Bones
Subject line: Fall Clearance – Last Chance
Image via Really Good Emails
As you can see from the subject line, this is the last in a series of clearance sales emails, giving subscribers one last chance to secure a discounted product. With that in mind, Bare Bones has taken a subtle approach to avoid looking too frantic and compromising its high-end brand image.
“Ends today” is included front and center at the top of the email so readers understand the urgency of the sale. However, Bare Bones strays from the norm by leaving prices out of its clearance sale email. This may also encourage readers to click through to see just how much they can save. That said, the draw of big discounts is clear with “60% OFF” in a large font in the header image.
6. Taste of Home
Subject line: EVERYTHING MUST GO! Up to 60% Off Select Books
Image via Really Good Emails
Simplicity is key in this clearance sale email example by Taste of Home. Specializing in cookbooks, the brand knows that its target audience likes things delivered in a simple format that’s easy to digest. That’s why many of the key elements of a clearance email are included in such a simple yet effective way:
“LAST DAY!” creates the impression of urgency at the top of the email
The discount is kept refreshingly simple with $10
Copy is short and sweet, offering the best books at a great price
7. Factory Direct Flooring
Subject line: Our January Clearance Must End Soon!
Image via Really Good Emails
Last but certainly not least is this standout example from UK flooring stockist Factory Direct Flooring. There’s a lot to be admired in this clearance sale example, starting with the countdown timer, showing how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds customers have left. How better to create a sense of urgency among your subscribers?
Four separate discount codes provide a range of clearance offers to readers, encouraging them to increase their overall spend. Offers have also been broken down with “By Room” buttons, which take readers one step closer to a conversion and make their journey easier.
20 best clearance email subject lines
Subject lines can make or break a clearance email. They’re the difference between subscribers clicking through or pressing “delete.” Clearance sale email subject lines should highlight savings and urgency in the most concise way possible. But be careful not to overdo it and come across as spammy. Here are some great examples of how it’s done:
Everything Must Go! Save up to 70%
? Final Call: Clearance Sale Ends Tonight
? HOT Clearance Deals – Limited Time Only!
Clearance Frenzy: Up to 50% off Storewide!
Don’t Miss Out! End-of-Season Clearance Starts NOW ?
HUGE Clearance Sale – Shop 60% Off! ?
Last Chance! Up to 40% Off All Items
End-of-Year Clearance Event: Final Days to Save!
? Massive Discounts in Our Clearance Sale – Shop Now!
Your Final Opportunity: Clearance Sale with up to 65% Off
⚡️ Flash Sale Alert! Up to 50% Off Clearance Items
Clearance Price Drop: Save More on Your Favorites!
Last Chance to Save – Clearance Sale Ends Soon
? Unbelievable Clearance Prices – Limited Time Only!
Up to 70% Off – Clearance Sale Must End Soon!
Big Savings on Clearance Items – Shop Before It’s Gone!
End-of-Season Clearance: Final Hours to Get 50% Off! ⏰
You can make your own using Omnisend’s handy subject line generator. Just input what your email is about, and it will generate multiple subject line suggestions that are catchy, concise, and highly clickable.
Wrap up
Clearance emails are a great marketing tool that can do wonders for your traffic and sales, re-engage lapsed customers, improve loyalty, and even help with inventory management. The best examples use tactics like urgency and highlighting specific discounts to draw customers in. Other methods include well-chosen colors, attractive product imagery, and even influencer marketing.
Make sure you don’t rush your subject line, as this is vital to ensure subscribers open your email in the first place. Including specific discounts and deadlines can encourage subscribers to click through, while emojis can make your email more eye-catching in their inbox.
Try Omnisend today to create effective clearance emails that maximize engagement, traffic, and sales.
Bernard is the Sr. Director of Communications & Creative at Omnisend, with a passion for good research, helping ecommerce businesses with their marketing automation needs, and beating absolutely everyone in Mario Kart 64.
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