Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash
If you’re heading to America’s Mart show in Atlanta this month, you’re likely aware of just how important this event is for the future of your business. For example, while we may have just stepped out of the holiday season, you can pre-order a great deal of products and stock here for 2023!
To put it simply, while it feels far away (giving you plenty of time to get White Christmas or Jingle Bells out of your head), many wholesalers use the Mart Show to buy everything they need for the coming year, or to organise their stock.
With that in mind, here are some top tips to bear in mind when taking stock (and restocking) for the new year!
Take Inventory of Your Remaining Holiday Items.
Before packing away your Christmas or holiday decorations, from Christmas Ornaments to Christmas garlands, take a detailed inventory of everything you have left over from the 2022 season. The chances are many of these products can be added to the shelves in 2023, as opposed to being disregarded entirely.
Writing down an itemised list reduces the chances of forgetting what you have in stock when visiting wholesale buying events, saving you a great deal of money.
Take photos of Pieces & Collections.
Whether you store your seasonal products in a storage unit or warehouse, you may not have immediate access to these products when planning your 2023 Holiday Catalog – or you may forget what they look like. Snapping photographs of specific pieces or collections you want to build off or refresh means you can keep your vision alive without the hassle of digging through boxes. It also gives you a headstart on designing those all important Christmas window (and interior) displays, which are often a great way to increase the amount of footfall your business receives.
Having these photographs to hand also means you’ll have visuals to work from when planning the looks for your next holiday seasons, whether you are using a christmas wreath or christmas garland to turn your store into a winter wonderland. Again, it will help when buying new inventory as you’ll know exactly what you are missing – this means you won’t run the risk of having too many of one singular item on your hand, saving you a great deal of money (and stress).
Consider the versatility of your current stock.
While certain items, such as Santa Claus figurines and Christmas ornaments are unlikely to be year-round sellers, you’d be surprised about just how versatile some of your items are. For example, some vases, planters and plots may sell just as well during the spring and the summer, especially as customers can simply swap out the plans featured within them for whatever is in season!
This also works when the situation is reversed – as some spring/garden or everyday items can pair nicely with your christmas stock. For example, you could pair garden containers and garden pots with holiday-specific items, like garlands and plants. This way, you’re proving to your customers that the items sold within your store are worth the money, as there’s no limit to when they can use them!
By recognising the true versatility of your stock, you can increase your sales year round by leaving more products on the shelves for your customers to discover. This also saves you space in storage!
Don’t forget your Spring/Garden stock.
Now is also the perfect time to pay attention to your spring stock and garden products, especially as we move further into the year and people will begin to think about using their outdoor space(s) more frequently. As such, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have too many ceramic containers? If so, try to balance out your stock by buying wooden containers or baskets. This will help you to appeal to a broader customer base, while also ensuring your displays are eye-catching and dynamic. Remember, the more texture and color you can display here, the better!
- Which products did you sell the most last year? Understanding your customers shopping habits is crucial when it comes to buying products at wholesale events. After all, there’s little point in buying hundreds of garden pots, when you sell more baskets or ornaments. Think about what you sold in the highest volumes last year, and adjust your orders to reflect this. Cut back on items that did not perform well, or consider avoiding them altogether. You should also pay attention to current industry trends and fads, so that you have the right products in store to wow your customers.
- How can you diversify your stock? Another way in which you can keep your customers happy and make the most of your time at America’s Mart is by finding ways to diversify your stock. For example, items such as statutory trellis’ and windchimes are wonderful accompaniments to planets, garden pots and other types of decor – and they’re sure to catch your customers’ attention. You can also diversify your stock by offering items that can be handed out as gifts, or memorial products.
Keep an eye out for popular items.
Another way in which you can set yourself up for success at any trade show is by keeping an eye out for products that are always bestsellers – the kind that never go out of style. For example, this could include:
- Wreaths
- Ornaments
- Baskets
- Vases
- Stepping Stones
- Chimes
- Plaques and memorial plaques
- Angel statues
Stop by Napco.
At Napco, we have an amazing collection of seasonal and year-round products for garden-enthusiasts. By working alongside our company, you can ensure that your shelves are well-stocked with everything your customers could desire all year round!
Make sure you stop by our stand during the mart in Atlanta, or our homebase in Jacksonville Florida! We look forward to hearing from you!