Skip to content
Support Request
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

3.5 Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is essential for maintaining flexibility, meeting customer demand, and ensuring a smooth operation. Follow these guidelines to optimize your storage and ordering processes.

  1. Storage Requirements:
  • Minimum Storage Capacity:
  • You must have the ability to store at least 2,000 pops at any given time. This is the baseline for operational flexibility and profitability.
  • We strongly recommend being equipped to hold 4,000 pops (requiring two 20-cubic-foot freezers) per territory to accommodate growth and unexpected opportunities.
  • Freezer Specifications:
  • Freezers must be able to maintain pops at -10°F or colder for optimal product quality.
  • For long-term storage or freezing cold plates, consider freezers capable of reaching -20°F.
  1. Delivery and Accessibility:
  • Weekly Shipments:
  • Pops are delivered weekly, so ensure you have a dedicated, easily accessible space for unloading.
  • If you prefer delivery drivers to leave pops when you’re unavailable, provide access to a garage or detached building where products can be securely stored.
  • Advantages of Larger Orders:
  • Placing larger orders minimizes potential customer service disruptions, such as running out of stock for high-demand events.
  • Having excess inventory ensures you can take on last-minute or unexpected opportunities without hesitation.
  1. Tips for Success:
  • Organized Storage:
  • Group pops tightly together in boxes to maintain consistent temperatures.
  • Label and rotate inventory to reduce waste and ensure freshness.
  • Scaling for Events:
  • Keep additional inventory on hand for peak seasons, large events, or unexpected sales spikes.
  • Regularly review your stock levels to align with your upcoming calendar and event history.

By adhering to these practices, you’ll maintain a robust and scalable inventory system that supports the growth of your business while delivering excellent customer service.

Let me know if there’s more you’d like to add or refine!




Ordering, Receiving, and Storing Inventory

To ensure timely delivery or pickup, all orders must be placed before noon on the day prior to your delivery or pickup. For same-week delivery, orders must be submitted by Monday at noon.

  1. Placing Your Order:
  • Log in to the DEAR ordering portal associated with your warehouse location (Atlanta, Charleston, or Charlotte).
  • Add the pops, marketing materials, and supplies needed for your next order to your cart.
  • Review your cart to confirm all items are correct.
  • Select the appropriate delivery or pickup option at checkout.

Adhering to these deadlines ensures your order is processed smoothly and delivered or ready for pickup on time.

  1. Shelf Life:
  • Our pops have a best-by date ranging from 6 to 18 months. We strive to deliver them as quickly as possible to maximize their usability.
  • Proper storage allows you to safely hold stock for several months.
  1. Inventory Management:
  • Always use the FIFO system (First In, First Out) to ensure older inventory is used first.
  • Keep pops tightly packed into as few boxes as possible; this minimizes air exposure and ensures better temperature stability.
  1. Preventing Ice Formation:
  • Ice on the pops indicates temperature variation. Common causes include:
  • Pops not packed tightly together in their boxes.
  • Pops being exposed to warmth repeatedly (e.g., going in and out of carts).
  • Freezers with cycles that run too long or freezers that aren’t cold enough.
  • To reduce this, store pops deeper in the freezer where temperatures are more stable.
  1. Fruit vs. Creamy Pops:
  • Note that fruit-based pops are more prone to developing ice crystals than creamy ones. Take extra care to minimize temperature fluctuations for these items.

 

Tracking Inventory and Waste

If you need to discard any inventory, it’s important to track this accurately. Follow these steps to account for the loss in your financials:

  1. Track Inventory Loss:
  • Multiply the cost of the discarded pops by the quantity discarded to calculate the total loss.
  1. What Is Shrink?
  • Shrink refers to inventory loss due to factors like melting, expiration, accidental opening, or damage.
  • To maintain profitability, shrink should be kept below 2% of your total sales.
  1. Example:
  • If you generate $10,000 in sales, your shrink should not exceed $200 during that period.
  1. Reporting Shrink: