This is one of the big challenges retailers face today. This leads to poor experience by expecting customers. Having few checks help avoiding / minimising this challenge. 1. Analyse past data and anticipate the growth expected and stock up Build a strong demand plan with vendors which is agreed upon and corner your stock on time. 3. Ensure your stores show the stocks better where you are sure of inventory availibility. 4. In case certain stocks cannot be arranged enough, keep a alternative and make that high on visibility while keeping the low availibility stock shown to customers. Have a better offer on the alternate stock to convert while maintaining a lower inventory where you face stock crunch.

Demand forecast Inventory planing Peak season more production Demand vs supply no gap Proper tracking For many businesses, the peak season is when they generate a substantial portion of their annual revenue. It’s the time when customers are more willing to spend, driven by festive offers, sales events, or other incentives. The downside, however, is the heightened risk of poor inventory management. Stockouts can lead to missed sales opportunities while overstocking or deadstocks result in increased holding costs and potential write-offs.

1. Accurate Demand Forecasting Content: Highlight the importance of precise forecasting to anticipate product demand during peak sales periods. Leverage Historical Data: Use past sales data to predict future demand patterns. Incorporate Market Trends: Analyze industry trends and consumer behavior to adjust forecasts accordingly. Collaborate with Sales Teams: Get input from sales and marketing teams to refine demand projections. 2. Strengthen Supplier Relationships Content: Focus on maintaining strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely inventory replenishment. Communicate Early: Inform suppliers about upcoming sales peaks well in advance to secure adequate stock levels. Establish Backup Suppliers

To prevent stockouts during peak sales: 1) forecast demand based on past trends and ensure you have a robust inventory management system in place. 2) Build relationships with multiple suppliers for backup options, and maintain safety stock levels. 3) streamline communication between sales and operations teams to respond quickly to any changes in demand.

There’s a few ways to prevent this 1- Make sure your relationship with your key vendors is very strong so if you need favors they can help you 2- forecast forecast forecast 3- make bulk purchase deals so that you have product when no one else does

* Creation of Regional Hubs, where runners can be planned in bulk, based on the demand projection specially for the manufactured items with prioritised replenishment of fast-selling items. * Faster replenishment thru LSP with Track & Trace * For outsourced items may partner with a supplier who ships products directly to customers enabling focus on marketing and sales, while the supplier handles storage, packaging, and shipping.

1. Checking for past trends of the volume spike over BAU which will help us ascertain the levels of extra stock to be maintained and not limit ourselves to the planned spike 2. There will always be a skewness across categories or brands which will vary as per the demand cluster and planning for such stocks in regional/zonal warehouses can be a more efficient use of space & working capital. This can also narrow down our problem to a cohort of suppliers whom we want to ramp up and have better control 3. Take support from sales in narrowing down to targeted products either planned at higher discount or ones planned to capture market demand. This again helps narrow on certain SKUs limiting the focus on what eventually is selling.

The best way to prevent stockout is to forecast material requirements at the start of the year in consultation with your Sales team. It is always a good idea to keep some inventory in stock if they have a higher shelf life and need minimal maintenance. Another good method to prevent this situation is to get in touch with your suppliers and get a measure of their inventory. Keep your manufacturing team informed about an upcoming crisis situation. Always talk to your customers and explain to them about a possible increase in lead time. Most customers would be willing to understand your situation and wait for a few days. Stockout, though not desirable is always a good problem to have rather than too much stock and not enough sales.

I'm going to assume that you are not a total dipstick and you already have a planning system of some kind. (I would bet my last beer it's in Excel). First of all, check your assumptions. Either your forecast is bad, your supply is inconsistent or that trainee with the tattoos on his neck preparing the Excel files needs better supervision. A fourth possibility is that your safety stock is too low, but that's a last resort. and don't miss the chance to USE the stock-outs to learn something. Ask Supply Chain to explain the root causes of the 5 worst ones once a week. (The should be a no B.S. zone! Get to the absolute causes) Within a few weeks you will have a nice list and the systemic issues.

Maintaining buffer/safety stock can avoid stock outs especially due to peak sales period . We need to understand the trend of consumption and is this going to be the same demand or it’s just an initial shoot up .Its very important to analyze the reason for increase in demand and stock outs . Ordering additional stock to avoid stock outs is also risky as it can lead to near expiry and expiry if the demand falls or is not as per the previous trend . Back to basics …. 1)Demand forecast 2)last six months average consumption to build up stocks considering seasonality and other aspects such as new launch etc .3)Supplier relationship 4) Proper co-ordination and ontime communication 5) ontime clearance of goods