(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
For overseas brands, live shopping in China represents both a tremendous opportunity and a logistical challenge. Ensuring product availability while keeping costs under control requires smart inventory strategies, real-time monitoring, and effective coordination between supply chain partners.
1. Smart Stock Allocation
1.1 Geographic Segmentation
Approach: Distribute inventory based on location-specific demand for live shopping events.
Benefit: Reduces shipping times and ensures product availability where it is most needed.
1.2 Product Prioritization
Method: Identify best-selling items and allocate higher inventory to live event promotions.
Impact: Maximizes sales potential while minimizing underperforming stock.
2. Data-Driven Demand Forecasting
2.1 Live Event Analytics
Technique: Monitor engagement, click-through rates, and pre-orders during live events.
Advantage: Adjust inventory dynamically to meet actual demand patterns in real time.
2.2 Historical Performance Metrics
Method: Analyze past campaign data to refine future stock planning.
Result: Improves forecasting accuracy and reduces the risk of surplus inventory.
3. Seamless Supplier Collaboration
3.1 Real-Time Communication
Implementation: Establish instant communication channels with suppliers for live demand updates.
Benefit: Ensures quick replenishment and uninterrupted availability during high-traffic events.
3.2 Just-in-Time Inventory
Strategy: Work with suppliers to maintain lean inventory that can be scaled up quickly.
Impact: Minimizes storage costs while supporting high-demand periods effectively.
4. Operational Efficiency Through Automation
4.1 Inventory Management Platforms
Tool: Deploy software solutions that automate stock monitoring, order generation, and allocation.
Advantage: Reduces manual errors and allows teams to focus on strategic decisions.
4.2 Performance Dashboards
Approach: Use dashboards to track live sales, stock movements, and fulfillment status.
Impact: Facilitates rapid decision-making and prevents supply bottlenecks during live events.
Case Study:
A Japanese infant nutrition brand implemented an automated stock allocation system for live commerce campaigns on Xiaohongshu. By combining real-time demand analytics with supplier collaboration, the brand maintained optimal inventory levels, avoided stockouts, and increased live session conversion rates by 28%.
Conclusion
Overseas brands can achieve operational excellence in live commerce by leveraging smart allocation, forecasting, supplier collaboration, and automation. These strategies ensure products are available when consumers are most engaged, driving sales and customer satisfaction in China’s competitive market.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation!
