The Holiday Inventory Challenge: Getting Products in the Right Place

Home » Blogs » Think Tank » The Holiday Inventory Challenge: Getting Products in the Right Place Think Tank RSS The Holiday Inventory Challenge: Getting Products in the Right Place November 2, 2026 Adam Henry & Daniel Stidsen, SCB Contributors The National Retail Federation recently reported that most holiday merchandise has already arrived at stateside ports, which sounds like good news for North American retailers heading into the holidays. But having inventory in-country isn't the same as having it in the right place. That distinction will determine how the lucrative holiday season plays out for retailers nationwide.

Overall inventory levels can look healthy while individual locations don't match local demand. For example, winter sports gear might be selling well in the Boston area while sitting largely untouched in warehouses outside Phoenix. Inventory counts and even national sell-through numbers might look fine overall, but at the store level, the New England location is heading toward a stockout while the southwestern locations are heading toward a markdown. The mismatch may go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Even the best forecasts are often wrong. Companies with strong forecasts made months ago can still end up overstocked in some areas and understocked in others once conditions shift. Aggregate forecasts can hide critical differences in which products are selling, when demand peaks, and where inventory is needed. Planners need that level of detail to prevent local stockouts and excess.

This story was originally published by SupplyChainBrain. Read the full story at SupplyChainBrain →