When the busy season finally slows down, preparing for next spring might not be your top priority.
But with this season still fresh in your mind, now is a great time to make note of where inventory got tight, where you had to scramble, and where having a little more product on the shelf would have made things easier.
There’s another good reason to put that knowledge to use now.
Late fall and early winter are when many manufacturers release their Early Order Programs (EOPs). Depending on the program, that can mean opportunities for distributors to take advantage of discounted pricing, extended payment terms, deferred shipping, or a combination of incentives when they commit to inventory ahead of next season.
EOPs Can Be a Win-Win
Manufacturers offer EOPs because advance orders help them forecast demand and plan production. For distributors, the right EOP can help improve profitability while getting inventory in place before the busy season begins.
And the savings can go beyond discounted early-order pricing. Depending on the program and what you order, an EOP may help you:
Reduce freight costs by placing a larger order instead of several smaller ones throughout the season.
Improve cash flow with extended payment terms or deferred shipping.
Save time during the busy season with fewer POs, rush orders, and last-minute shipments.
Try something new when special pricing makes it easier to bring in a new product or add inventory you’ve been hesitant to stock.
Of course, those benefits only matter if you’re ordering the right products. That’s where learning from this season can help.
What Did This Season Tell You?
Before you put this season completely behind you, take a quick inventory of what you learned:
What did you keep reordering?
Start with the products that consistently moved.
Where did you get caught short?
Think about what sold faster than expected or led to a scramble.
What did customers ask for that you didn’t have?
Did they ask for items you don’t typically stock or something you kept running out of?
Where could headaches have been avoided?
Think about the products that led to rush orders, extra freight, or customer wait times. Having those items next season could save time, money, and hassle.
Your answers to those questions are a good starting point for identifying where EOPs could help.
Match Your Needs to the Right EOP
The next step is seeing which available programs line up with the inventory needs you’ve identified.
Not every manufacturer offers an EOP, and the programs don’t all follow the same schedule or offer the same incentives. Our team keeps track of the EOPs available from our manufacturer partners and can help you sort through the options that make sense for your business.
Contact our team to talk about which EOPs options make sense for you.