How to buy and produce retail goods: a step-by-step guide
Organizing the purchase and production of goods for retail trade is a key task for a stable business. Profits, service level and competitiveness depend on how well these processes are structured.
1. Demand analysis and planning
Before purchasing or starting production, it is important to:
- Study sales statistics for past periods.
- Assess seasonality and market trends.
- Forecast demand by product category.
Tip: use ERP systems et BI analytics to automate forecasting.
2. Selecting suppliers and manufacturers
When purchasing, consider:
- Supplier reliability.
- Delivery times.
- Product quality.
- The ability to customize for your brand.
In our own production:
- Control quality at all stages.
- Optimise production capacity.
- Minimize downtime and defects.
3. Logistics optimization
Well-organized logistics reduces costs:
- Consolidate orders to save on shipping costs.
- Use automation to track shipments.
- Use Just-in-time approach to reduce storage costs.
4. Inventory control
Analyze residues regularly:
- Avoid surpluses (frozen capital).
- Minimize shortages (sales losses).
- Set up automatic notifications about critical inventory levels.
5. Financial planning
- Set a budget for purchase/production, taking into account seasonal peaks.
- Evaluate the profitability of each product.
- Keep track of exchange rates when buying abroad.
Conclusion:
Efficient procurement and production for retail require accurate forecasts, well-organized logistics and constant quality control. Investments in automating these processes pay off quickly and give businesses a sustainable advantage.
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