5 Seasonal Inventory Planning Mistakes
Seasonal Planning Is Critical
Black Friday, holiday season, summer sales — each peak period brings massive revenue potential but also massive inventory risk. Get it wrong, and you're either stocked out during your biggest sales days or sitting on excess inventory for months.
The 5 Costly Mistakes
Mistake #1: Ordering Too Late
Waiting until 2 weeks before peak season to order. With 14-day lead times, your stock arrives after the rush. Order 60-90 days before peak season.
Mistake #2: Guessing Quantities
Using last year's numbers without accounting for growth. If you grew 30% YoY, multiply last year's seasonal stock by 1.3x minimum.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Slow Movers
Ordering seasonal stock for products that haven't sold well. Focus on your top 20% of products — they drive 80% of seasonal revenue.
Mistake #4: No Safety Buffer
Ordering exactly what you think you'll sell. Always add 15-20% safety buffer for unexpected demand spikes.
Mistake #5: Forgetting Post-Season
Not planning for post-season markdowns. Budget for 20-30% excess that you'll need to discount after the season ends.
Plan Smart with PODesk
Use sales velocity data to predict seasonal demand. Set reorder points 60-90 days before peak. Automate PO generation so you never miss the window.
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