First FBA Shipment: Advice on initial inventory levels for a new launch?
Hi everyone,
We are preparing to launch our new FBA product and are looking for guidance on initial shipment quantities. For those with experience in new launches, how do you typically calculate your "Test Order" size? We want to ensure we have enough stock to handle a potential launch spike without overextending on storage fees. Any rule-of-thumb or specific metrics you use to determine that first shipment?
Thanks!
First FBA Shipment: Advice on initial inventory levels for a new launch?
Hi everyone,
We are preparing to launch our new FBA product and are looking for guidance on initial shipment quantities. For those with experience in new launches, how do you typically calculate your "Test Order" size? We want to ensure we have enough stock to handle a potential launch spike without overextending on storage fees. Any rule-of-thumb or specific metrics you use to determine that first shipment?
Thanks!
2件の返信
Seller_kSZCywEhJQQ8J
I would be careful not to assume the early sales pattern will last. In some cases, launching with FBA can feel a bit like a trap.
Amazon sometimes seems to give new listings a short “honeymoon” period where they get more visibility at the start. That can make sellers think demand is stronger than it really is. Then after sending in more stock, the product can suddenly become much less visible, and sales slow down badly. This has happened to my own listings too many times, so I would be cautious about sending in too much based only on the first spike.
Because of that, I would treat the first shipment as a real test order, not as proof of stable demand. Better to start lean, watch actual sell-through for a few weeks, and only scale once the listing still performs after the initial launch period has passed.
TaylorR_Amazon
Hi @Seller_QuqqcIXRINVwu, great post!
@Seller_kSZCywEhJQQ8J is correct here.
Start conservative with the initial shipment. Consider sending just enough inventory to cover 30-60 days of projected sales. This approach allows you to test market demand without overcommitting inventory or incurring unnecessary storage fees.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Individual selling accounts have a capacity limit of 15 cubic feet; this limit doesn’t change and is not eligible to be increased.
- New professional selling accounts (active in FBA for less than 39 weeks) don’t receive FBA capacity limits. This allows you to establish your FBA sales record without limits so that we can determine how much capacity your FBA business needs as you grow.
- Professional selling accounts (active in FBA for more than 39 weeks) receive capacity limits based on IPI score and sales performance. Sellers with consistently higher IPI scores receive higher capacity limits, adjusted for sales volume and available capacity. Usage against your FBA capacity limits will consider your inventory on-hand at Amazon and open shipments on the way to our fulfilment centres, calculated in cubic feet.
Factor in your replenishment lead time. How long it takes to manufacture and ship additional inventory to Amazon's fulfilment centres?
Use Inventory Planning tools to monitor days of supply and track your sales velocity closely in the first 2-3 weeks.
Let us know if you have any questions! Happy selling.
