Clearing Seasonal Stock: Our Top Strategies

We often get offers of seasonal goods at the very end of the season. Also, sometimes just after the season! By that point, it’s generally too late, as it would be too costly to store the goods until the stock becomes relevant again. Not an ideal situation for anyone in the chain, whether that be the supplier or the retailer / wholesaler wanting to resell.

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide from our perspective.  Here we offer practical advice and strategies for suppliers / wholesalers / manufacturers to effectively clear their seasonal stock.

Why Clearing Seasonal Stock is Crucial for Suppliers

Before diving into strategies, let’s understand why clearing seasonal stock is vital:

Cost Management: Holding unsold inventory incurs storage costs and ties up capital, which could otherwise be invested in new products.

Inventory Turnover: Rapid inventory turnover keeps offerings fresh and aligns with current consumer trends. This enhances customer satisfaction.

Warehouse Optimisation: Clearing seasonal stock frees up warehouse space.  This allows for better organisation and preparation for the new season’s inventory.

Cash Flow Improvement: Efficient stock clearance ensures steady cash flow, which is crucial for operational expenses and business growth.

Our Tips for Effective Seasonal Stock Clearance

Here’s some top tips from a clearance company’s perspective to help suppliers / wholesalers / manufacturers clear seasonal stock efficiently:

Pre-Season Planning & Forecasting

Any company supplying seasonal stock should engage with their regular customers first to discuss anticipated demand.  During this time they could also consider offering them discounts for early commitment of stock.

Likewise, they should also engage with their own suppliers, if appropriate, to discuss their anticipated demand (as gauged from customer feedback) and secure favourable terms that allow flexibility in ordering quantities.

The foundation of effective stock clearance starts long before the selling season begins. Ideally, the supplier should identify as early in the season as they can, whether they think they are likely to end up overstocked by the end of the season.

By offering the goods to clear as early in the season as possible, they stand the best chance of both securing the best prices and also finding someone who is interested in taking the stock on.

There is clearly a balance to be had between being able to sell their items on to their regular customers at full price, and not ending up with too much stock that they can’t shift until the following year!

Market Research

Conducting thorough market research is key to understanding emerging trends and consumer preferences.

This data should be used to forecast demand accurately.

Set Goals

It is essential to establish specific sales targets and stock clearance goals to guide strategies and measure success effectively.

Conclusion

Clearing seasonal stock is a critical aspect of supplier business management, and it requires a strategic approach to ensure profitability and operational efficiency.

By implementing these recommended strategies, suppliers can effectively clear seasonal inventory, optimise cash flow, and prepare for the upcoming season.

Canny Cat Trading specialise in seasonal stock clearance. Here are a few examples of seasonal goods that we’ve purchased in the past:

• Swimwear, goggles and caps
• Summer hats
• Summer gardening tools and decorations
• Easter decorations
• Winter hats, gloves and scarves
• Halloween costumes and decorations
• Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations

Get in touch today to discuss your seasonal stock clearance needs.