Inventory Accuracy. The key to seasonal satisfaction

Why do inventory managers make terrible comedians? Because they can’t count on a good delivery!

Joking aside, as the festive season fast approaches, warehouses across the country will be executing their seasonal plans to ensure their customers CAN count on a good delivery, whether that be direct to consumer, or via a network of retail outlets. Customer satisfaction and therefore sales are the only real measure of how successful those plans have been.

As ever, the Christmas season brings an influx of activity to warehouses as consumer demand for products surges. While this period is highly profitable, it often leaves warehouses in disarray, with inventory levels fluctuating and the likelihood of significant number of returns. Preparing for an efficient post-Christmas inventory recovery is essential to avoid disruption to regular operations and to start the new year strong.

Accurate demand forecasting

The first step in preparing for post-Christmas inventory recovery is accurate demand forecasting and planning. Understanding which items will be in high demand and stocking up accordingly prevents overstocking of slow-moving goods. This however comes with its own risks, with normal location management often set aside. Having accurate inventory before the season can make a significant difference when the time comes for recovery.

Overstocking leads to leftover inventory that can be difficult to manage, while
understocking can lead to missed sales opportunities. Ensuring your inventory
is accurate will undoubtedly help you monitor trends during and after
Christmas, allowing you to make more informed decisions.

Large influx of returns at Christmas

One of the biggest challenges following Christmas is dealing with the influx of returns. Without a clear process in place, returns can overwhelm your warehouse and slow down operations, not to mention the possible impact it will have on your existing inventory accuracy. You will need a streamlined process for assessing, restocking, or disposing of these goods, which in itself can be a challenge when your seasonal labour is no longer available.

Post Christmas inventory update

When the dust has settled after the chaos of Christmas, conducting a thorough inventory audit is essential for ensuring accuracy in your stock levels. As articulated in this post, discrepancies will likely arise during busy this period due to mispicks, returns, and misplaced items. Engaging with an independent inventory accuracy solutions provider such as Orridge Supply Chain Services can streamline the process, making recovery faster and more accurate. This will ensure that any missing or misplaced items are accounted for and that you start the new year with an accurate inventory database.

Easy inventory recovery

We know that setting up a warehouse for easy inventory recovery after Christmas requires careful pre-season planning, efficient returns management, and a focus on reorganising stock once the holiday rush ends

Orridge Supply Chain Services can support all of your inventory accuracy needs both in the run up to the festive season, and crucially after the season is over.

• Full/Partial Warehouse Stocktaking – Getting your inventory accurate
• Pick Accuracy – Ensuring the accuracy of your picks to minimise inventory drift
• Perpetual Inventory – Getting your inventory accurate whilst minimising disruption
• Returns Management – Ensuring returns are processed accurately

All of our solutions are tailormade to solve your specific operational challenges and fully support your objectives, making Orridge Supply Chain Services, something you CAN count on!

Get in touch with us by calling 01279 775 600 or by emailing sales@orridge.co.uk to start optimising your supply chain today!