Surplus stock can be a burden that significantly costs retailers: Bloomberg reports that companies globally lose $163 billion annually due to excess inventory.
This staggering figure underscores the importance of effectively managing surplus stock. Not only does surplus inventory tie up valuable capital and storage space, but it also risks obsolescence and increases holding costs.
However, with the right strategies, businesses can transform surplus stock challenges into lucrative opportunities. By implementing inventory planning systems, leveraging re-commerce programs, optimizing retail replenishment, and utilizing peak season warehousing, companies can unlock the hidden potential within their excess stock.
Here's a look at how organizations worldwide can find value in their excess inventory.
What is surplus stock?
Surplus stock refers to the leftover inventory businesses have on hand beyond what is needed to meet customer demand. A company can end up with excess stock for several reasons, including overproduction, poor demand forecasting, and seasonal fluctuations.
The impact of surplus stock on a business can be significant because:
Effectively managing surplus stock is crucial to avoid these adverse outcomes and turn potential losses into opportunities. The more ways you find to use your surplus stock, the easier it becomes to handle.
Implementing inventory planning systems
Before all else, it's worth trying to avoid the surplus stock problem in the first place. Effective inventory planning prevents surplus stock from growing, ensures smooth logistics, and helps match supply with demand.
Accurate forecasting is crucial to effective inventory planning. By analyzing historical sales data and market trends, businesses can more reliably predict future demand. As a result, you'll produce or order just the right amount of stock to meet customer needs.
Another essential tool is inventory management software. These programs can automate much of the planning process, track inventory levels in real-time, and provide alerts when stock is running low or overstocked.
Businesses can significantly reduce surplus stock by using these forecasting techniques and leveraging inventory management software, freeing up resources and improving overall efficiency.
Leveraging re-commerce
Re-commerce, or reverse commerce, involves selling previously owned, excess, or returned products through various resale channels.
This approach is becoming increasingly popular as it helps businesses turn surplus stock into revenue. In fact, the U.S. re-commerce industry is worth an estimated $188 billion, and that number could surpass $275 billion by 2028.
One of the main benefits of re-commerce is cost recovery. By selling excess inventory, companies can recoup some of the costs associated with overproduction or unsold stock. This process helps improve the bottom line and reduce financial losses.
Re-commerce also allows businesses to reach new customer segments. Companies can attract price-sensitive customers who might not otherwise purchase their products by offering discounted products through resale platforms like eBay, Amazon, or specialized marketplaces.
Sustainability is another significant advantage. Re-commerce promotes recycling and reuse, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of excess inventory. This eco-friendly approach can enhance a business's brand image and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
By leveraging re-commerce, businesses can effectively manage surplus stock, recover costs, and expand their customer base by contributing to sustainability efforts, reaping benefits on multiple fronts.
Strategies for successful retail replenishment
Retail replenishment is the process of restocking products to maintain optimal inventory levels on store shelves. It's crucial because it ensures that popular items are always available for customers, preventing lost sales and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Successful retail replenishment relies on businesses maintaining ideal stock levels. This step means having enough inventory to meet demand without overstocking, which can lead to surplus stock issues.
Timely restocking is also essential. Regularly checking inventory levels and replenishing products before they run out keeps shelves stocked and customers happy.
The key to this process is having a logistics partner that can supply the data you need. This data ensures you can accurately forecast demand and set realistic service level targets.
From there, looking into an automated replenishment system could be worth your time. These systems use data analytics to predict demand accurately and automate restocking.
Businesses can forecast which products will be needed and when by analyzing sales trends and customer behavior. Automated systems then reorder these products at the right time, reducing stockouts and excess inventory risk.
Peak season surplus inventory warehousing
Managing inventory during peak seasons, such as holidays or sales events, presents unique challenges due to unpredictable demand that leads to either stock shortages or surplus inventory. The latter can be particularly problematic, as it requires additional storage and can tie up valuable resources.
Flexible warehousing options are crucial for managing surplus inventory during these high-demand periods. This scalable warehousing allows businesses to adjust their storage capacity as needed, ensuring they can accommodate excess stock without overcommitting to long-term storage solutions.
Temporary warehousing services and on-demand storage solutions are excellent options for handling seasonal surplus. These services offer short-term storage spaces you can rent as needed, providing a cost-effective way to manage excess inventory.
For example, businesses can use these services to store surplus holiday merchandise that didn't sell as expected, freeing up regular warehouse space for more immediate needs.
Proper warehousing during peak seasons helps businesses maintain efficiency, avoid clutter, and effectively manage surplus stock. By leveraging temporary and on-demand storage solutions, companies can ensure their operations run smoothly, even when demand fluctuates.
Make excess inventory work for you
Having surplus stock isn't ideal, but it doesn't have to significantly dent your company's bottom line. By using this excess merchandise to your advantage, you can make the most of the situation despite the extra products.
Handling surplus stock challenges isn't easy, but solutions are available. For instance, you can partner with a logistics company to keep your supply chain moving or provide flexible warehousing solutions.
