How to use seasonal trends to plan buying
Mar 18, 2025
Understanding Seasonal Trends for Smarter Buying
Every reseller knows the feeling: You snag a great deal on stock, only to find it sitting untouched for months. The secret to avoiding this is understanding and leveraging seasonal trends. By tuning into what sells best at specific times of year, you can plan your purchasing, keep inventory moving, and maximize profits.
Step 1: Recognize Key Seasonal Patterns
Most products have natural peaks and valleys in demand. For example:
Spring: Gardening tools, outdoor furniture, sports gear
Summer: Swimwear, grills, camping equipment
Fall: Back-to-school supplies, jackets, holiday decor
Winter: Heaters, coats, gift items, electronics
Use tools like Google Trends or look at past sales data to spot what’s hot in each season. Even marketplaces like eBay and Amazon publish seasonal guidance for sellers.
Step 2: Forecast and Plan Your Buying
Once you’ve identified what’s likely to sell, use a simple calendar or spreadsheet to plot out when to buy stock. Here’s how:
Note peak times for each product category.
Plan purchases 1–2 months in advance, so you’re ready when demand rises.
Set reminders for when to start sourcing items for the next season.
For example, if winter coats sell best in November, start sourcing in September or October so you’re stocked ahead of competitors.
Step 3: Use a Central System to Sync Inventory and Listings
As you grow, managing inventory across multiple sales channels (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, your own site) can get tricky. A central inventory system keeps everything in sync, so you don’t accidentally sell the same item twice or miss a hot trend because you’re disorganized.
Consider using a tool like Gavelbase, which is designed to help resellers keep listings, inventory, and pricing updated across platforms. It can also help you:
Track what's coming in and going out
Quickly update stock levels everywhere
Reduce manual work and avoid costly mistakes
Other options include spreadsheets (for very small operations) or apps like Selled and Zoho Inventory.
Step 4: Assign Basic Team Roles
If you have even one helper, assigning clear roles makes things smoother, especially as busy seasons approach. Here’s a simple way to divide tasks:
Sourcing: Who finds and buys stock?
Listing: Who creates and updates product listings?
Shipping/Pickup: Who handles getting goods to customers?
Support/Questions: Who answers buyer queries?
Write down these roles in a shared document or your inventory system, so everyone knows their responsibilities—no last-minute confusion during a rush!
Step 5: Track Sales and Fees
Seasonal buying only pays off if you’re making a profit. Track:
Units sold per item (and when they sell)
Fees for each marketplace
Shipping costs
Net profit by item and season
Your inventory or listing sync tool might include these features, or you can use a simple spreadsheet. Over time, you’ll see which items and seasons are your top performers, making next year’s buying even easier.
Step 6: Handle Shipping and Pickup Smoothly
Fast, reliable delivery matters, especially during busy seasons. To keep things running cleanly:
Set a clear schedule: Decide shipping/pickup days and stick to them.
Prepare packing materials in advance: Buy boxes, tape, and labels before the rush.
Communicate with buyers: Send tracking info and pickup instructions promptly.
Use batch shipping tools: Many platforms and inventory systems let you print labels in bulk.
For local pickups, set clear windows and use a safe, public meeting spot.
Bonus: Review and Adjust After Each Season
After each busy period, take 30 minutes to review:
What sold well (and what didn’t)?
Were you over- or under-stocked on anything?
Did your team roles and systems work smoothly?
Make quick notes in your system or notebook. These small tweaks help you improve every cycle, so buying becomes less guesswork and more science.
Final Thoughts
Seasonal trends are a reseller’s best friend—if you plan ahead. By following these simple steps and using a central system to stay organized, you can avoid stock headaches, nail your timing, and make every season your best yet.