Halloween kicks off the retail holiday marathon that leads straight into the busiest time of the year. To handle the seasonal surge and stay ahead of inventory control and order fulfillment demands, it’s crucial to have a plan.

The 2024 holiday season is expected to be even more intense than years past, with consumer spending projected to rise 3% over last year, according to Bain & Company. While that may seem modest, a 3% increase translates to $30 billion more in consumer spending. That’s a lot of inventory to manage, and optimizing inventory levels will be key to keeping profit margins healthy.

By nailing inventory planning, you’ll set the stage for a successful holiday season. Here are three tips to help you stay ahead:

Master the art of seasonal demand forecasting

Accurately predicting demand means knowing exactly when to ramp up orders on top-selling items (like pumpkin pie!), or adjust for unexpected trends well before they peak. Inventory scanning robots gather highly accurate data on the state of your inventory each day, which you can use to improve seasonal forecasting. This capability improves your ordering of seasonal inventory, optimizing both stock levels and customer satisfaction.

For you, this means navigating the unpredictability of the holiday season with confidence. Whether stocking up on holiday décor or anticipating the increased demand for gift-ready products, robotics and AI bring precision to demand forecasting, ensuring you’re prepared to deliver exactly what customers want, exactly when they want it. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to a holiday season where every inventory decision is backed by data, keeping shelves stocked, customers happy, and your bottom line secure.

Stay sharp with real-time inventory tracking

Holiday trends can be unpredictable, with consumer behavior shifting rapidly based on the latest social media craze. That’s why it’s critical to have real-time visibility into your stock, especially as you head into the holiday season, when order fulfillment delays can really frustrate consumers and cost you big. Forget about manual inventory checks—those leave too much room for surprises or mistakes.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with inventory scanning technology, like Dane AIR™, provide near real-time updates on the state of your inventory to ensure you avoid the dreaded out-of-stock situations during the holidays. Let inventory robots handle the heavy lifting by monitoring your shelves, identifying demand, and helping you replenish popular holiday candies and gifts quickly. Meanwhile, you can avoid excess inventory by holding off on restocking items that aren’t selling as fast. 

Automate your restocking actions to stay ahead of demand

When Halloween kicks off the shopping frenzy, some items will fly off the shelves faster than you can blink. And once the holiday rush begins, triggering restocking actions manually can be a losing battle. That’s where automation comes in.

With AMRs scanning your shelves multiple times a day, you’ll receive instant alerts when items are out-of-stock and need restocking. This technology for inventory management not only keeps the holiday  essentials in check, but also gives you a head start on ensuring popular holiday items are always available. No more scrambling to restock when it matters most—robots will have your back all season long, ensuring your stores fulfill orders smoothly and optimize inventory levels to maintain profitability.

Set the tone for a smooth holiday season—starting with Halloween

By integrating real-time tracking, AI-powered inventory forecasting, and automating restocking triggers, you can breeze through Halloween and roll right into the holiday season with confidence. With the right tools in place, your store will stay stocked and ready, keeping customers happy during the most critical months of the year.

Looking for more insights on mastering seasonal inventory? Discover how BrainOS®-powered robots can streamline your operations, from Halloween through the holidays, ensuring you’re always ahead of the game.