5 Strategies Footwear Brands Use to Go from Chaos to Control

In the world of footwear, it’s not just about creating the perfect shoe. Selling and distributing those shoes is a journey filled with unique hurdles.

Many people working for footwear brands will find themselves at The Running Event in Austin this week, and we figured we'd give you some tools to and advice that you can walk away with. 

Footwear brands face challenges that often go unnoticed but are all too familiar to anyone in the industry. These include: 

• Managing complex size runs
• Dealing with unpredictable inventory needs 
• Staying on top of the ever-important reorders to avoid missed sales

Without the right system in place, these challenges can easily turn into operational chaos, costing brands time, money, and customer loyalty. 

1. Use Real-Time Inventory Visibility to Avoid Stockouts

When retailers can’t access real-time stock levels, it leads to missed sales, back-and-forth communication, and unhappy customers. Real-time inventory management not only helps brands like Olukai and NAOT keep their best-sellers stocked but also empowers retailers to order with confidence. With a system that updates inventory instantly, footwear brands reduce the burden on customer service, minimize stockouts, and keep orders flowing smoothly.

Pro Tip: Make sure your retailers can check availability in real-time to avoid bottlenecks and keep sales high

2. Streamline Order Processing to Reduce Errors and Save Time

Manual order entry can be error-prone, especially in the fast-paced world of footwear wholesale. For many brands, the risk of errors is too high when relying on outdated tools like Excel sheets or manual forms. Footwear leaders use platforms like RepSpark to automate order processing, allowing reps and retailers to bypass manual data entry and place orders accurately, every time. This strategy reduces mistakes, speeds up order fulfillment, and frees up your team for more strategic tasks.

Strategy in Action: RepSpark's automated order process has helped Spring Footwear streamline operations, saving them time and minimizing costly errors.

3. Implement At-Once Reordering to Capture Every Sale

Missing out on a reorder for a top-selling item can mean lost revenue for both brands and retailers. By enabling at-once reordering, footwear brands give retailers the ability to quickly restock high-demand SKUs without delay. This strategy increases order frequency, keeps retailers happy, and ensures that popular items remain available for end-customers. With a platform that makes reordering fast and easy, brands can capture more sales and drive repeat business.

Case in Point: Footwear brands like NAOT have seen a boost in reorder frequency, leading to higher revenue and stronger retailer relationships.

4. Forecast Demand Accurately with Pre-Booking

Accurate forecasting is essential in footwear, where demand can shift seasonally or based on trends. By using pre-booking features, brands can better understand what their wholesale partners will need in future seasons, allowing for more precise production and inventory planning. This strategy helps avoid overproduction, reduces warehouse costs, and ensures that popular items are available when retailers need them.

Industry Insight: Pre-booking has helped brands like Olukai align inventory with retailer demand, ensuring timely seasonal deliveries and maximizing sell-through.

5. Provide a Seamless Experience for Retailers with an Easy-to-Use Platform

Retailers are more likely to engage with a platform they already know and trust. For footwear brands, this means using a wholesale solution that’s widely recognized and intuitive. RepSpark’s platform is familiar to retailers in specialty footwear, outdoor, and running stores, allowing them to place orders and access inventory without a learning curve. A streamlined, user-friendly system makes it easier for retailers to reorder and stay connected to your brand.

Brand Advantage: With a platform that’s easy for retailers to use, brands reduce training time and create a seamless wholesale experience from day one.

By implementing these strategies, footwear brands can bring order to the chaos of wholesale, reduce operational headaches, and create a smooth experience for both their team and retail partners.

From real-time inventory and streamlined order processing to reordering and accurate forecasting, brands that leverage these tactics see higher efficiency, happier retailers, and ultimately, greater revenue growth.

If you’re ready to take your wholesale operations from chaotic to controlled, explore how RepSpark’s platform can help you achieve wholesale success.