Dive Summary:

• Most shoppers are drawn to clearance sales, but research suggests that the bargains are only on paper when consumers purchase items that aren't satisfying or don't end up getting used as intended.
• The idea of products "original price" compared to its "sale price" is so appealing to shoppers that tehy often end up spending money that they normally wouldn't have.
• Ideas such as "fear of missing out" and "assumed value" are some of the the top 5 reasons that consumers continue to flock to January clearance sales marketed by retailers.

From the article:

"...January is prime time for shoppers stalking “further reductions” on merchandise that didn’t sell for Christmas or during the post-Christmas and post-New Year’s sales. In other words, it’s prime time for consumers to buy things they shouldn’t, even at 75% off.

For some shoppers, clearance racks are like catnip. The impressive differences between the “original prices” and the dramatically marked-down rates draw them in, leaving the impression that these deals are just too good to pass up..."