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New Year, New Inventory: Planning Your Q1 Restock
Start the year right with a clean inventory strategy. Here's how to plan your Q1 orders.
Q1 Inventory Reset
The new year is the perfect time to audit your inventory and plan for a strong Q1.
Step 1: Review Q4 Data
- What were your top 10 sellers in October-December?
- What sat on the shelf?
- What did customers ask for that you didn't have?
Step 2: Clear Dead Stock
If a product hasn't moved in 60 days, it's dead stock. Options:- Discount it (clearance section)
- Bundle it with fast movers
- Return to distributor if possible
Step 3: Restock Your Winners
Your top sellers from Q4 are still going to sell in Q1. Order enough to maintain 3-4 weeks of supply.Step 4: Test New Products
Allocate 10-15% of your ordering budget to new products. Try:- New strains that are trending
- New brands your distributor recommends
- Products customers have been requesting
Step 5: Set a Budget
Based on Q4 revenue, set a monthly ordering budget for Q1:- Allocate 70% to proven sellers
- Allocate 20% to steady mid-range products
- Allocate 10% to new/experimental products
Q1 Calendar
- January: Post-holiday slow period — lean inventory, focus on regulars
- February: Valentine's Day mini-push — gift sets and premium products
- March: Pre-spring stocking, 420 early planning begins