Christmas seems a long way off in the summer, but for a shop, that's precisely the time to order. Those who only purchase in November are left with whatever is still available. Below is the timeline most good buyers follow, and where a brand like Kechballen fits in.
May to August: Securing the Unique Pieces
The eye-catchers, handmade items, and pre-order collections can be ordered in the summer, and often only then. Many small brands do one production run per year; what isn't ordered then won't be available that season. This is the time to secure your distinctive pieces, while there is still a choice.
Kechballen operates this way: one run per year, pre-order in summer, delivery in autumn. Too late here really means too late.
September to October: Replenishing and Planning Your Shelf
Now you supplement with the volume work: standard balls, lights, packaging. You now know what your special pieces are, so you build your shelf around them. Make sure your eye-catchers are at the front and the rest sell along.
This is also the time to brief your staff on the few pieces that carry the story. A salesperson who can tell the story sells the gift.
November to Mid-December: Selling and Reordering
The peak. This is where you earn it back. Keep an eye on your bestsellers and reorder where possible, but don't expect the special, handmade pieces to still be in stock: those were already allocated in the summer.
After Christmas: Evaluating for Next Year
Which pieces sold based on their story, and which based on a discount? The first group is your margin. Note it down, because next year your purchasing will start again in May.
Brief Summary
- Unique and handmade: order in summer, otherwise you'll miss out.
- Volume and standard: replenish in late summer.
- Reordering: only for what can be produced; eye-catchers will be gone by then.
Do you want Kechballen in your shop this season? We deliver by the box, one run per year, delivery in autumn. Sign up as a reseller for wholesale prices and box quantities.