Inventory Management

Inventory Forecasting

Predict future inventory needs before stockouts happen. Use past sales data and growth trends to plan purchases proactively.

See How It Works

The Problem with Reactive Purchasing

Too Late

By the time you notice low stock, it's too late. Lead times mean weeks of stockouts while you wait for replenishment.

Growth Surprises

A viral moment or successful launch. Historical averages didn't account for growth. You sell out and lose momentum.

Seasonal Blindness

Q4 demand is 3x normal. Without planning for seasonality, you either stock out or end up with excess post-season.

How Forecasting Works in Fulfil

Create forecasts manually or generate them from historical sales data with growth adjustments.

Two Methods

Manual / CSV Import

Create blank forecasts and add lines manually, or import via CSV with product and quantity columns.

Best for: Specific plans, promotional inventory, new product launches.

Generated from Sales

Use historical sales velocity over a time period. Apply a growth rate percentage to project forward.

Best for: Ongoing replenishment planning, seasonal prep.

Sales-Based Forecast Example

Historical Period

Last 90 days: 900 units sold

Daily Velocity

10 units/day average

Growth Rate Applied

+20% for Q4 seasonality

Forecasted Demand (30 days)

360 units

(10 units x 30 days x 1.2 growth)

Forecast Workflow

1

Create Forecast

Set warehouse, date range, and choose manual or sales-based generation.

2

Configure Parameters

For sales-based: select history period, growth rate, and optional category filter.

3

Preview & Adjust

Review generated quantities. Adjust individual SKUs as needed.

4

Confirm

Confirm forecast to make it active. Used in inventory planning decisions.

Forecasting Use Cases

Holiday Planning

Apply growth rates for BFCM and holiday season. Order inventory months ahead.

Product Launches

Import manual forecasts for new products with no sales history.

Marketing Campaigns

Adjust forecasts for planned promotions and media spend increases.

Wholesale Commitments

Build forecasts that include confirmed wholesale POs shipping later.

Common Questions

How far out should I forecast?

Match your forecast horizon to your longest lead time plus safety buffer. If your slowest supplier takes 8 weeks, forecast at least 10-12 weeks out. For seasonal planning, forecast the entire season.

What growth rate should I use?

Start with your actual year-over-year growth rate. For seasonal periods, compare to the same period last year. If you're running promotions or increasing ad spend, factor that in. It's better to slightly overstock than to stock out.

Can I create multiple forecasts?

Yes. Create forecasts for different time periods, scenarios, or product categories. Compare optimistic vs. conservative forecasts. Only confirmed forecasts affect planning calculations.

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