Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) 2025 are expected to smash ecommerce sales records, with projections of 15-30% growth. For direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, that’s both exciting and dangerous. More traffic doesn’t just mean more sales, it magnifies every inventory mistake.

Too many ecommerce brands fall into one of two traps:

1. Stocking too little and losing sales.
2. Overbuying and drowning in unsold inventory that kills margins.

If your inventory plan is built on guesswork, you’ll lose. The winners this BFCM will be the brands using data, pre-orders, and smart supplier partnerships to stay lean and profitable. Here’s how to prepare your inventory for BFCM 2025 like a pro.

1. Use Pre-Orders to Forecast Real Demand (and Fund Your Stock)

Waiting until Q4 to start inventory planning is already too late. Pre-orders are your secret weapon. By letting customers reserve best-sellers early (ideally at an “exclusive” price), you can:

• Capture upfront cash to fund purchase orders or reinvest in marketing.
• Validate demand for SKUs before you commit capital.
• Spot winning products before peak season hits.

Focus on seasonal items, limited-edition SKUs, or historically high-performing products. Preorder data gives you the confidence to invest in top sellers without the guessing.

2. Use Historical Data, But Think Smarter Than Excel

Your past BFCM sales data is a goldmine but only if you know how to use it. Start with an ABC analysis to sort products into:

• A: Top sellers that deserve aggressive reordering.
• B: Mid-tier products that can be bundled or lightly promoted.
• C: Underperformers you should discount or bundle with A-products to clear them out.

Stop relying on spreadsheets during peak chaos. Invest in ecommerce-ready inventory management software that can forecast demand in real time.

As the saying goes, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Your past BFCM performance is one of your best tools for accurate inventory forecasting.‍

3. Forecast for Seasonality, Not Just Growth

2025 is going to look different. Shopper behavior is shifting:

• Sales are starting earlier in the week (and month).
• Cyber Monday peaks later in the day—around 4 PM PST.

If you’re still forecasting based on “average” sales days, you’ll miss these micro-trends. Use tools that track seasonality, promotional spikes, and macroeconomic shifts so you can pivot quickly when the market changes.

4. Expect Disruptions (and Plan to Win Anyway)

From delayed shipments to surprise stockouts, BFCM is a stress test for your logistics. Mitigate risk now by:

• Accepting backorders for high-demand items
• Planning exit strategies for excess inventory (bundles, bulk sales, or extended promos)
• Setting clear expectations with customers and suppliers on lead times

Inventory crises don’t wait – be ready for when they hit.

5. Lock in Suppliers Early (and Negotiate Hard)

Your suppliers are critical partners in your BFCM success. Sync early to lock in pricing, confirm lead times, and prepare contingency plans. Early purchasing also allows you to negotiate better terms and optimize freight logistics ahead of holiday congestion. Efficient ecommerce logistics begins with proactive communication.

7. Turn Dead Stock Into Revenue (Instead of Dust)

Have excess or slow-moving inventory? BFCM is your opportunity to move it strategically. Pair it with high-velocity SKUs in bundles, or position it as an “exclusive bonus” item to drive conversions and reduce dead stock.

8. Use Tech to Stay Agile During Chaos

BFCM 2025 will see more new customers than repeat ones, and performance will rely on seamless operations across inventory, marketing, and finance. Invest in a unified system that can support demand spikes, track real-time sales, and optimize your capital across channels.

Ready to Stop Guessing?

Inventory planning for BFCM 2025 doesn’t have to be a gamble. The brands that act now (backed by data, pre-orders, and smarter forecasting) will own Q4.

Clearco helps DTC brands forecast, fund, and scale without the inventory headaches. Schedule your 1:1 BFCM strategy session today and set your brand up for its most profitable peak season yet.