The Chaos Behind the Scenes
Imagine the sheer volume of products arriving in-store—brand new in shape, style, and model. Store staff must quickly unpack and present them, find the right display locations, print price tags, and manage constantly shifting backroom stock. And when the sales season kicks in, prices change, products get relabeled multiple times, and at the end, everything unsold has to be packed up again.
The work doesn’t stop there. Staff must locate missing items, process returns, and prepare stock for the retailer’s warehouse or suppliers. It’s a never-ending cycle of logistical challenges that require both speed and precision.
“A Total Shock in the Worst Sense of the Word”
I’ve seen the chaos firsthand. My early days as a sports and seasonal department manager were filled with criticism from buyers and merchandisers over product placement issues. But nothing compared to what I experienced later as a floor manager.
In one store, the seasonal department was in complete disarray. Despite it being July, winter footwear and clothing still filled the shelves. The backroom, meant for unpacking and product preparation, was so packed with boxes and broken seasonal items—like skis and lawnmowers—that employees could barely enter.
It took three weeks of intense sorting to get things back on track. We replenished shelves, returned outdated stock, discounted non-returnable items, and dealt with broken and damaged products. There were no shortcuts—just hands-on work, product by product.
The "Snowball" Effect of Poor Stock Management
One key takeaway from that experience? Stock mismanagement doesn’t happen overnight. When daily stock monitoring is irregular or inaccurate, each new product arrival compounds the problem. If management fails to step in early, the effort required to restore order becomes massive.
The solution? Consistent daily stock checks and partial stocktaking. These simple but crucial steps can prevent a minor issue from turning into a full-scale crisis.
Three Learned Lessons
Through blood, sweat, and spreadsheets, I learned a few key survival tips for seasonal retail:
✅ Monitor no-sales reports. Identify stagnant stock using additional filters like seasonality and stock value.
✅ Update stock immediately. Returns and inventory adjustments should be recorded as soon as they happen—don’t wait until next season.
✅ Keep track of defects and returns. Even if your ERP system doesn’t support it, a simple Excel sheet can save you from major headaches later.
