Markdowns

Markdowns is a term used to refer to two distinct concepts in different domains: price reductions in retail and the lightweight markup language known as Markdown.

In retail, a markdown is a deliberate reduction in the selling price of an item. Markdowns are used to clear aging inventory, respond to changes in demand, or stimulate sales during slow periods. Retailers plan markdowns through schedules, often differentiating temporary promotions from permanent price changes. The process can involve assessing original cost, desired margin, and expected sell-through, then applying price reductions across categories or individual items. Metrics such as markdown depth and gross margin return on investment help evaluate effectiveness. Potential risks include eroding profit margins, diminishing perceived product value, and confusing customers if pricing is inconsistent.

In the realm of text formatting, Markdown is a plain-text markup language created to be readable in its source form and easily converted to HTML. Markdowns, in plural use, can refer to multiple Markdown documents or files. John Gruber and Aaron Swartz introduced Markdown in 2004 to provide a simple syntax for formatting text with elements like headings, emphasis, lists, links, and code blocks. The syntax is designed to be readable without rendering, and it has spawned numerous implementations and extensions, including CommonMark as a de facto standard, and platform-specific variants such as GitHub Flavored Markdown. Markdown is widely used for documentation, READMEs, and lightweight blogging due to its simplicity and broad tool support.