Markdown curves tell a story long before clearance racks appear. When sell-through drops below the category average for three consecutive weeks, the margin erosion has usually already begun — even if full-price inventory still looks healthy on the floor.
One of our clients, a mid-size apparel retailer with four locations in Jeollabuk-do, noticed that a linen blazer line was selling at 62% of forecast in week six of an eight-week season. The buyer initially attributed the gap to a cold snap. Our weekly report showed the same pattern in their Seoul outlet, where weather differed.
The real signal was size curve imbalance: sizes M and L moved at 78% of plan while XS and XXL sat at 41%. Rather than waiting for end-of-season, the buyer shifted remaining XS stock to the outlet channel and reduced the reorder on the autumn repeat.
Three lessons emerged from this cycle. First, compare size-level sell-through, not just style-level totals. Second, cross-check weather explanations against other regions. Third, act on week-three variance, not week-eight panic.
We document these patterns in every seasonal assortment report so buyers can reference prior-year curves when setting initial buy quantities.