Outdoor furniture is one of the most seasonal categories in home goods. Containers arrive in late winter, demand peaks in spring and early summer, and unsold stock has to wait for next year. We plan storage and shipping around that curve.
Planning for the spring peak
Patio furniture demand is concentrated in a few months, so the inventory must land and be put away before the season starts. That usually means a heavy inbound period of containers in late winter, followed by a sharp rise in outbound orders when the weather turns.
We plan receiving capacity with you ahead of time, using your container schedule to book unloading and set aside storage. Positioning inventory in more than one market can shorten delivery times in the regions where the season starts first, such as the South and West, and keep later-starting regions supplied without cross-country shipments.
Sets, cushions and components
Outdoor furniture is often sold as sets: a dining table with four or six chairs, a conversation set with a fire table, a sectional with matching cushions. Each element may arrive in its own carton from a different production run. We set up every carton as a component linked to the sellable set, so a set is only offered when every piece is in stock.
Cushions, covers and umbrellas are frequently sold separately and as replacements. They ship well by parcel and can be stored as their own SKUs. Materials such as aluminum, teak, resin wicker and powder-coated steel each have their own handling sensitivities, which we capture in the SKU storage profile.
Off-season storage and returns
Whatever does not sell by late summer usually needs to be held until the next season. Long-term storage on the right positions, with periodic checks on high-value items, keeps that stock in sellable condition. Aging reports help you decide which items to discount at the end of season and which to carry forward.
Returns spike after the peak as well, often due to assembly difficulty or a set that looked different in person. Returned items are inspected and repacked where possible, and spare parts such as glides, bolts and feet can be shipped individually to resolve problems without a full return.
Frequently asked questions
When should patio furniture inventory arrive?
Patio furniture should be received and put away before the spring selling season begins. Many brands schedule containers for late winter so inventory is ready ahead of demand.
Can you store outdoor furniture during the off-season?
Yes. Unsold seasonal inventory can be held on appropriate storage positions with aging reports to guide markdown and carryover decisions.
Do you ship replacement cushions and parts?
Yes. Cushions, covers and small parts can be stored as separate SKUs and shipped by parcel.