7 Tips to Help Footwear Brands Master Reorders

Managing reorders is one of the most important factors when it comes to succeeding in the wholesale space. 

But, at the same time, it’s also one of the most challenging parts of it. 

There are a range of sizes, fluctuations in demand, and supply chains that add even more complexity. It might often feel like staying ahead of your reorders is a balancing act that doesn’t always lean in your favor. 

Lucky for you, we have several proven strategies, based on expert insights, to help you streamline your reorder processes to make sure your products stay on shelves, in stores, and in demand.

1. Use Previous Orders as a Shortcut

RepSpark's copy-and-paste order functionality lets you easily replicate previous orders. 

• Quickly pull in size scale data from past pre-book or reorder placements.
  
  
• Adjust on the fly. You can easily focus on popular “middle” sizes while tapering fringe sizes.

This capability keeps your reorders accurate and ensures every store gets precisely what they need without overstocking less popular sizes.

2. Keep Fringe Sizes Visible—Never Miss a Sale

While stocking every size onsite isn’t feasible, visibility is crucial.

• In RepSpark, a retailer can view fringe sizes even if they don’t carry them physically. This lets you drop ship to the consumer directly from your centralized inventory.
  
  
• This ensures you service unique needs (like a size 4 extra wide) without cluttering the back room.

3. Use Microsites to Expand Fulfillment Without Expanding Inventory

For mobile or space-constrained retail environments like pro shops, microsites are a game-changer:

• Carry just a few sample pairs onsite, and let buyers order all other sizes or limited styles through a branded microsite.
  
  
• Supporting special orders this way transforms limited physical inventory into a full-service experience. In fact, one retailer we talked to reported $2M in annual special orders via this workflow.

4. Enable Real-Time Inventory Visibility to Avoid Stockouts

One of the most disruptive issues in wholesale is running out of stock, especially for best-selling sizes or styles. Real-time inventory systems help eliminate this issue for your brand. 

Brands like Olukai and NAOT have leveraged real-time stock visibility to ensure retailers can confidently place reorders and avoid missed sales.

By providing accurate, up-to-date inventory data, you can greatly reduce back-and-forth communication and keep orders flowing smoothly between you and your retail partners.

5. Automate Order Processing to Save Time and Minimize Errors

Manually processing orders can lead to costly mistakes. This has an even higher chance to happen in the footwear industry because of the wide range of product sizes available. 

Automated order processing systems reduce labor, eliminate typos, and help your team focus on strategic tasks instead.

In practice, integrating a system that standardizes order entry and syncs across channels can remove inefficiencies that slow down reorder fulfillment.

6. Encourage “At-Once” Reordering for Fast-Moving Products

Fast-moving SKUs sometimes sell out faster than systems can keep pace.

Enable quick reorder features that let retailers restock in-demand items with minimal friction.

When retailers can reorder top sellers quickly, it boosts sales and strengthens trust in your brand’s reliability.

7. Use Pre-Booking to Improve Demand Forecasting

Footwear demand can shift unexpectedly based on fashion trends, seasons, and events.

Pre-booking capabilities help brands forecast order needs well in advance, which reduces overproduction and aligns inventory with retailer demands.

Collecting orders ahead of time ensures more accurate planning and better cash flow management.

Mastering reorders in wholesale footwear is about creating visibility, anticipating demand, and simplifying the ordering process for both brands and retailers. With the right systems and strategies in place, you can scale confidently and stay ahead of competition.

If you’d like to explore how RepSpark can help optimize your reorder workflow or equip your brand for performance-driven trends, feel free to reach out and ask!