When looking at the discount fabrics, look in your shop to see what you already have on hand that can coordinate with the discount fabrics.
I am in the process of opening a shop and I know exactly from where you speak. I live in an area that unemployment is almost 10%!
I also find the problem of getting people to understand that the discount fabrics are the exact same fabric they have been buying but it is a closeout fabric.
If you find a good deal on a discount fabric, see if your inventory has complimentary fabrics. If so, display those all together.
Good luck!