HOW TO BUILD A REORDER SCHEDULE TO KEEP YOUR BRANDED APPAREL STOCKED YEAR-ROUND

Introduction

Keeping a steady supply of branded apparel in stock between seasons can be a challenge for many businesses. Whether you offer custom t-shirts, custom sweatshirts, or promotional gear, an effective reorder schedule helps ensure you never run out of your essential items. This guide will walk you through building a reorder schedule that fits your business needs and helps you maintain consistent inventory throughout the year.

Understand Your Apparel Sales Cycles

Before setting a reorder schedule, you need a clear understanding of your sales cadence. Apparel sales often vary depending on seasons, events, or trends:

• Seasonal Demand: Products like long sleeve t-shirts and custom hoodies tend to sell more during cooler months, whereas short sleeve t-shirts pick up in spring and summer.
• Events and Promotions: Fundraisers, sports seasons, and company campaigns can create sudden spikes.
• Trends: Popular styles—such as tie-dye shirts or trending logos—may increase demand unexpectedly.

Analyzing past sales data helps you anticipate these fluctuations. Many businesses find it useful to review monthly sales or seasonal trends to better predict reorder timing.

Track Your Inventory Levels Regularly

Regular inventory tracking is essential to avoid stockouts. You should maintain a detailed record of all items, including sizes and colors, since these factors can affect how quickly stock moves. Using inventory management software or spreadsheets, record:

• Current stock on hand
• Pending orders
• Average monthly usage rates per product

This data helps identify when reorders need to be placed to maintain minimum stock levels.

Calculate Lead Times and Order Quantities

Lead time is the time between placing an order and receiving your stock. For custom apparel, this time can include production, printing, shipping, and handling. Underground Printing offers options like 2-day rush delivery to expedite the process, but typical turnaround may take longer without rush.

Calculate your reorder point with this formula:

Reorder Point = (Average daily usage × Lead time) + Safety stock

Safety stock is extra inventory to buffer against unexpected demand or delays.

Determining the proper order quantity involves balancing the costs of ordering too little (risking stockouts) and ordering too much (causing excess inventory). Consider your storage space and budget while deciding.

Align Inventory to Seasonal Apparel

Plan your inventory around apparel categories that fluctuate by season. For example:

• Warm Weather: Stock up on short sleeve tees, tank tops, and branded hats like custom baseball hats or trucker hats.
• Cool Weather: Increase stock of crewneck sweatshirts, custom jackets, and beanies.

Rotating your stock to match the season reduces leftover inventory and boosts sales.

Use Sales and Promotions to Forecast Demand

Special promotions, seasonal sales, or launches can impact how much apparel you need. If you plan a campaign involving custom promo items or special fundraising t-shirts, forecast the expected increase in orders to adjust your reorder accordingly.

Implement a Reorder Calendar

With all data in hand, create a reorder calendar. This calendar should include:

• Regular review dates: Weekly or monthly inventory checks to assess stock levels.
• Order dates: When to place orders to ensure stock arrives before running out.
• Seasonal adjustments: Timelines to increase or decrease inventory of seasonal pieces.

Using calendar reminders or digital workflow tools can keep your reorder schedule on track.

Leverage Reliable Custom Apparel Partners

Partnering with a versatile supplier like Underground Printing means you can more easily manage your inventory. We offer bulk orders for larger quantity needs and also accommodate no minimum orders for smaller restocks or test runs.

Our services include screen printing, embroidery, and DTG printing. These options allow for flexible reordering and quick turnaround, supported by our 2-day rush delivery when needed. This makes it easier to keep your seasonal apparel stock current and to handle unexpected demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I review my apparel inventory?

Most businesses benefit from monthly inventory reviews to track sales velocity and adjust reorder points accordingly. For fast-moving items or during busy seasons, weekly reviews can be helpful.

What is safety stock, and how much should I keep?

Safety stock is extra inventory held to prevent stockouts during unforeseen demand spikes or delivery delays. The amount varies per product but is usually calculated based on your average sales during lead time plus a buffer.

Can Underground Printing handle rush orders if I misjudge my reorder schedule?

Yes! We offer 2-day rush delivery options to help you meet tight deadlines and avoid disruption in your apparel availability.

Conclusion

By understanding your sales patterns, regularly reviewing inventory, calculating lead times, and aligning stock to seasonal demand, you can build a reorder schedule that keeps your branded apparel stocked year-round. Utilizing a reliable partner like Underground Printing ensures you have access to a wide range of custom products, quick turnaround options, and responsive customer service to support your reorder needs. Ready to streamline your apparel inventory? Get started today!