Question 1

When should I start preparing inventory for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Accepted Answer

You should lock down your inventory forecast by October 15th. Peak season isn't the time to 'wing it' with stock levels. Use last year's sales data plus projected growth to forecast demand, prioritize bestsellers and seasonal products, and stagger inbound shipments to avoid Amazon's storage overages.

Question 2

What are the most important FBA compliance requirements for peak season?

Accepted Answer

Key FBA compliance requirements include: proper label placement on flat surfaces (not over seams), correct carton dimensions, verified unit prep with poly bags and bubble wrap when required, suffocation warnings where applicable, and booking inbound appointments earlier than usual due to Q4 lead times.

Question 3

How can I manage inventory across multiple sales channels during peak season?

Accepted Answer

To manage multi-channel inventory effectively: sync your inventory system to prevent overselling, prepare channel-specific pricing and promotions in advance, and use a single fulfillment partner to centralize pick/pack/ship operations across Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Shopify.

Question 4

What packaging improvements should I make for peak season?

Accepted Answer

Peak season packaging improvements include: using branded inserts for customer loyalty, ensuring boxes can survive the seasonal shipping crush, offering expedited shipping upgrades for last-minute shoppers, and testing packaging durability before the rush begins.

Question 5

How should I prepare for post-holiday returns?

Accepted Answer

Prepare for returns by: establishing a fast and customer-friendly returns process, setting up systems to quickly inspect and restock resellable items to avoid Q1 stock shortages, and tracking return reasons to identify quality or listing issues that need addressing.

Question 6

What stress testing should I do before peak season?

Accepted Answer

Before peak season, run a mock high-volume day to identify bottlenecks, cross-train your team to handle multiple roles, ensure your 3PL or FBA partner can handle your forecasted peak volume, and verify all systems can operate at double speed without breaking.

Blog Post Not Found