While Chinese New Year (CNY) 2024 will formally start on 10 February, the period leading up to the festivities can be your busiest as a retailer. From preparing your holiday marketing to getting your products ready for this sales period, you undoubtedly have plenty on your plate.
One aspect you definitely cannot neglect is your inventory management. Of course, any retailer worth their salt knows the importance of strategic inventory management. However, the CNY period presents a unique set of challenges that require retailers in Singapore to recalibrate their approaches. Let us shed light on the challenges retailers face during this timeframe and how business storage solutions can offer an advantage.
Why retail inventory management is essential?
Insufficient inventory is the bane of a retailer’s existence. Every product that is out of stock is a missed sales opportunity. That is why effective inventory management is essential for maintaining a balance between supply and demand, optimising cash flow, and preventing stockouts or overstock situations.
What are the challenges retailers face during the CNY period?
Challenge #1: Manufacturing and supply delays
The weeks leading up to CNY often witness disruptions to the global supply chain. Various manufacturing industries across Asia, including the largest market, China, experience factory closures during this period to celebrate the holiday, causing operations to grind to a halt.
Many retailers relying on periodic inventory updates may find themselves grappling with unforeseen delays impacting product availability. This bottleneck is unlikely to ease up until well after CNY, when order management and production resume, causing a holdup for your orders and purchases.
Challenge #2: Out-of-stock products
Many manufacturers often offload excess stock by the end of the year to enable them to work on new products for the new year. That becomes a problem when you require specific products during this period, but your supplier has run out of inventory. As a result, you are left rueing missed sales opportunities.
Challenge #3: Late shipments
Even retailers working with suppliers unaffected by CNY can find themselves impacted. The high demand during this timeframe often results in excess shipments, as many retailers scramble to secure inventory for CNY sales. This increased demand, along with worker shortage during the holiday period, can result in frequent cargo delays and difficulties securing timely deliveries in the buildup to CNY.
How self-storage can provide you with a strategic advantage during CNY
As you can see, inadequate preparation in the lead-up to CNY can be disastrous. Fortunately, you can navigate these challenges seamlessly with the correct partner. Various retailers and e-commerce entrepreneurs have benefitted from Work+Store’s timely and flexible business storage solutions. Learn how our storage rentals can provide you with a strategic advantage during this crucial holiday period.
Learn More: How Self-Storage Can Help Your Retail Business Grow
Advantage #1: Provide additional storage space
Never underestimate the importance of having additional storage space for your business. You can forecast the inventory you need and stock up on your most popular products without cluttering your physical storefront. This proactive approach ensures your merchandise is readily available to meet the surge in consumer demand during the festive period.
Advantage #2: Tap into bulk discounts
Purchasing your inventory in bulk comes with various benefits, primarily the ability to take advantage of bulk discounts. With a storage unit of adequate sizing, you can capitalise on this markdown in price to increase your profit margins and optimise your cost structure without worrying about running out of storage space for your merchandise.
Advantage #3: Keep your inventory well-organised
During the bustling CNY sales period, you would want a hassle-free solution to replenish your stock to maximise sales. Our storage rentals can offer a structured and efficient way to organise your inventory. With ample space for your storage needs, you can designate an area for different product categories, allowing you to locate, manage, and restock your merchandise easily, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for your customers.
Are you ready to usher in the prosperity of the Year of the Dragon and position yourself for success during CNY? In that case, look no further than Work+Store to help you navigate the supply chain challenges associated with this holiday period. Our storage facilities are located islandwide, so you are sure to find a storage unit near your storefront. Contact us today to request a quotation.