Guide
Avoid stockouts during your busiest season
Plan ahead so your best sales period isn't ruined by an empty shelf or sold-out listing.
Look at last year's peak-season sales, not last month's
Regular reorder points assume steady demand. Holiday or peak-season demand can be 3-5x normal, using average sales data will leave you badly under-stocked.
Place peak-season orders earlier than feels necessary
Suppliers get slower and more expensive as everyone else places rush orders for the same season. Ordering 6-8 weeks ahead of a known peak avoids both problems.
Prioritise your proven bestsellers over new products
If cash or supplier capacity is limited, stock deeper on what you know sells rather than spreading thin across new, unproven items right before your busiest period.
Have a backup plan for your top 3 products specifically
Identify a second supplier or faster (even if pricier) shipping option for your highest-volume items only. You don't need a backup plan for everything, just the products that would hurt most to lose.
That’s the whole thing.
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What to read next
- 01
Inventory & Stock
Set up a simple reorder point system
Know exactly when to reorder before you run out, without staring at spreadsheets daily.
- 02
Inventory & Stock
Do a physical inventory count without shutting down
Get an accurate count of what you actually have, not just what your system says you have.
- 03
Inventory & Stock
Track inventory shrinkage and loss
Find out where stock is actually disappearing to, theft, damage, or paperwork errors.