Q1 Is Peak Season: Why Post-Holiday Returns Are Gold
Every liquidation veteran knows the calendar has a sweet spot, and it’s right after the holidays. Here’s why post-holiday returns make Q1 the best buying window of the year.
The returns wave
The gift-giving season generates a tidal wave of returns in January and February — wrong sizes, duplicate gifts, changed minds. Retailers can’t restock most of it fast enough, so it floods into liquidation channels. More supply means better selection and better prices for buyers.
Categories that peak in Q1
- Toys and games — the classic post-holiday flood, often barely opened.
- Electronics — gift returns of gadgets and accessories.
- Apparel — wrong-size clothing and shoes in volume.
- Home & kitchen — duplicate small appliances and gifts.
How to play the season
Buy early in Q1 while selection is deepest, focus on the categories above, and have your resale channel ready to move volume. Seasonal décor is the opposite play — buy it cheap in Q1 and hold it for next season.
If you’re going to scale up your buying any time of year, Q1 is when to do it. Browse the current lots and time your biggest orders to the returns wave.
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