Keystone is the retail markup usually about 120% meaning if bought at ten is retailed at twenty-two. by doing so even a fifty percent markdown makes money. Keystone means 100% over wholesale which is different in most all departments or specialty stores especially where wholesale is greater. In towels and tissues it s between 20 - 30% but clothing it s about 120% plus, I was a buyer for Bullock s Wilshire where I bought stuff for 35 and sold them for 105 with a fifty percent mark down I was making some big profits. Even worse is womens shoes where they buy a ten dollar sandal and sell them for eighty
I have owned and operated a small business, non clothing, but I believe, and hopefuly you will get conformation on this, but I belileve that the larger stores work on a 12 to 17% markup. An educated guess would be that they buy a $45 shirt for about $38. Hope this helps, and look for others in this exact business. Take care.