Overstock inventory can cost retailers as much as $123.4 billion every year. As much as you want to avoid overstocking, it’s bound to happen from time to time as demand fluctuates. Even with a reliable data analytics program, forecasting future demand isn’t always an exact science. When your facility hangs on to extra inventory, your storage costs will go through the roof. To better manage your overstock inventory, utilize collapsible metal wire baskets. These containers help your facility stay flexible as inventory levels change over time.
Learn more about the benefits of using metal wire baskets for overstock inventory.
1. Collapsible to Save on Space
If you have overstock inventory on your hands, you’ll want a storage container that’s collapsible. You never know when you may have some extra products on your hands, so it’s important to have containers that don’t take up a lot of room in your facility when they’re not in use. When you have overstock inventory, you can quickly deploy wire metal baskets without having to assemble new storage containers. As your inventory levels return to normal, you can easily fold up these containers and tuck them back on the shelf where they don’t take up precious space.
2. Keeps Your Products Visible
Wire metal baskets also keep your inventory visible. The metal wires make it easy to see what’s inside, so you and your team don’t have to open these containers to find what you’re looking for. If an order needs to go out for delivery, your team can quickly identify items just by scanning their surroundings. They don’t have to check individual labels, SKUs or fuss with lids as they hunt down what they need. You can get your overstock inventory out the door as fast as possible.
3. Easy Transportation
You don’t need a forklift to move a wire metal basket from one side of your facility to the other. Most wire metal baskets come with wheels attached to the bottom, so you can easily push your overstock inventory around when it’s not exactly flying off the shelves. If you put your overstock inventory in storage or move it offsite, you can quickly retrieve these items as demand starts to tick up.
4. Versatile for All Your Overstock Storage Needs
Wire metal baskets can be used to store a wide range of items and consumer goods. If your overstock inventory starts to sell, you can always repurpose these containers for other types of products. You never know what kinds of items may fall out of favor with your customers, so it’s best to use a versatile storage container for overstock items.
Overstock Inventory Management Tips
- 1. Move Overstock Inventory Offsite
You should be focused on products that sell when organizing the layout of your facility. Your employees may have hundreds or thousands of items to sort and monitor, so it’s usually best to move overstock inventory offsite. Think of the old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” Your employees won’t have to worry about double-checking these containers if they’re not being stored in your facility. You can always move overstock items back to your facility if demand picks up.
- 2. Invest in Inventory Management Software
Inventory management software will help you limit overstock inventory as much as possible, but it can also help you better manage your existing overstocked items. As demand continues to fluctuate, you can use these tools to track consumer behavior, so you can hold off on ordering new items if you already have some in storage. If you get the sense that your overstock items may come back in style, you can move them back onsite and get them ready for shipment before your customers confirm their orders. It may take you a while to retrieve overstock inventory–depending on where it’s being stored–so it’s best to give yourself a head start by using an inventory management system.
When it comes to overstock inventory management, wire metal baskets are essential. Start using these containers today to keep up with changing inventory levels.