THRIFT BUSINESS
How to Plan Your First Thrift Inventory
A first inventory is a test as much as a stock. Buy too little and the shop looks empty; buy too much and cash is tied up in clothes you may not sell.
Plan it backwards: from the space you have and the sales you expect, to the quantity and mix you order.
PLAN THE QUANTITY
Work out how much to start with.
Space
Count rail, shelf or listing capacity: how many items can you show at once?
Pace
Estimate how many items you can realistically sell per week in the first month.
Buffer
Add stock to replace what sells and to cover sorting losses.
Cash
Check the total against the cash box in your business plan.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Planning a mix.
A fictional plan for a small casual-wear shop showing 300 items at once.
Percentages are a starting split to test, not a recommendation for every shop.
Example only.
| Category | Share |
|---|---|
| Tops and T-shirts | 35% |
| Jeans and trousers | 25% |
| Jackets and layers | 15% |
| Dresses and skirts | 15% |
| Accessories | 10% |
SIZES AND SEASONS
Balance what you stock.
A good mix depends on who buys from you.
- Record the sizes customers ask for most and stock accordingly.
- Match the season: lighter fabrics for hot months, layers ahead of cooler months.
- Keep a small amount of slower stock for variety, but review it regularly.
AFTER THE FIRST MONTH
Let sales reshape the next order.
Your first inventory is data.
- Calculate sell-through by category.
- Track cost per garment so you know what each category really costs.
- Order more of what sold and less of what lingered.
NEXT STEP
Turning the plan into an order?
Share your categories and approximate quantity, and we will confirm what is currently available and the commercial details.
General guidance for planning purposes. Examples are illustrative; outcomes depend on your own market, stock, prices and costs.