Inventory Planning for Diwali Apparel Sales
Diwali inventory mistakes are expensive in both directions — stockouts lose sales, overstock becomes deadstock. Here's how to plan apparel inventory for Diwali, including the size-curve planning that most brands get wrong.
Diwali Inventory Plan
| Step | Action | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Forecast | Use last year + growth | Right total quantity |
| Size curve | Buy to real size demand | Avoid mid-size stockouts |
| Hero vs long-tail | Deepen bestsellers | Protect top sellers |
| Buffer | Hold reserve on heroes | Cover exchanges |
| Exit plan | Markdown/clearance path | Limit deadstock |
Notes
Plan the size curve, not just totals. Most brands buy enough units but the wrong size mix, then sell out of M and L while XS and XXL sit. Use last season's size-level sell-through and your fit data to buy to actual size demand.
Hold a buffer for exchanges. Festive exchanges need replacement stock in the right size. Reserve a small buffer on hero products so a size swap doesn't fail because the correct size sold out.
Let fit data sharpen buys. Fit recommender and size-chart data show which sizes shoppers actually need and where you're losing sales to stockouts. Feed that into next season's buy to reduce both stockouts and deadstock.
FAQs
How do I plan inventory for a Diwali sale?
Forecast totals from last year plus growth, then plan the size curve to real size demand, deepen hero products, hold a buffer for exchanges, and set a markdown path for leftover stock.
Why do brands run out of mid sizes during festivals?
Because they plan total units but not the size mix. M and L usually sell fastest, so buying to last season's size-level sell-through and your fit data prevents mid-size stockouts.
How does fit data help inventory planning?
Size-chart and fit-recommender data reveal which sizes shoppers actually need and where stockouts lose sales, letting you buy a smarter size curve and cut both stockouts and deadstock.
Need this on your store?
Tailor Size Guide ships pre-built size charts for Shopify.