With big companies and retailers, it is hard to become the retailer in an industry where people just go for popularity. However, it isn’t impossible despite the pressure of Amazon’s scale and other massive retailers.
While their speed and relentless price competition are challenging, there are benefits of being a small retailer.
You can work with smart surplus strategies, independent stores, and boutiques. This turns around the access you have to certain items and how you can offer the solution to excess inventory locally.
This is something Amazon struggles with: offering support and unique local service.
It is tough keeping up with locals, their stores, and to be there. But being a small retailer with a local focus brings all the benefits you need to align your business with them.
Our team at Coastal Surplus Solutions wants to introduce you to how you can leverage surplus inventory vs Amazon pricing. We want you to know how to create compelling offers and work on building your customer list.
Strategy 1: Curate Unique Overstock (Designer Returns & Limited Finds)
You have to make your system unique.
One of the best ways to do this is moving a bit away from the options Amazon offers for excess inventory.
They often liquidate in bulk or discounted automated programs. This is a way in which they move inventory fast, but it doesn’t mean it is the best option.
What you can do is work with independent handpicks and unique surplus items. Go over designer returns, off-season goods, or even limited-run products that your local stores may value.
You will be offering speciality and unique surplus finds for boutiques. Of course, the same applies to other industries and markets.
This works because Amazon’s model flags slow-moving inventory for liquidation after 90 days. As mentioned by experts like AMZ Advisers, they prioritize storage turnover and algorithmic efficiency.
Keeping a lot of inventory listed on the liquidation part can be the opposite of productive. However, small retailers can afford to hold and spotlight rare and niche items.
It isn’t the same curating a rack of last-season designer jeans and jackets and offering them locally compared to Amazon doing it.
You are giving the unique items more exposure and you can market them outside of the online method.
Strategy 2: Bundle Surplus into Gift Sets
Bundles are often the topic of every platform.
However, the way Amazon does it is by using outlet deals and steep discounts to clear excess stock. Bundles are not really a thing unless specific sellers move from the Amazon platform and work on a specific offer.
Meanwhile, you can simply take this idea and convert it into a bundling surplus themed gift set.
People love mystery boxes, adding surprises, and grabbing items for less than what they would cost individually.
It is a great way to increase average order value and you will be able to move slow items. You can match them with popular pieces and have a duo that everyone is getting.
Make sure to create kits, gifts, or boxes based on the season or specific times of the year. People are more inclined to purchase them if they are themed to the upcoming seasons.
Strategy 3: Local Pickup & Delivery Advantage
Local pickup is often underestimated.
Yes, Amazon’s logistics are powerful, but local retailers can offer same-day or next-day pickup and delivery. This is without people having to pay Prime membership or extra for their packages to arrive the same day.
People value these small, yet amazing advantages.
You can become a main seller in your city, making local shoppers go to you and avoid shipping delays and costs.
It is all about marketing the option and how you can offer delivery and local pickup if needed.
How This Works: Tampa Boutique Doubles Margins with Surplus Strategy
For doubters, it is a matter of knowing how to work with it.
A Tampa-based boutique faced stiff competition from Amazon. However, instead of giving up or slashing prices across the board, they focused on their own advantages.
They sourced designer returns, focused on niche items, and overstock from local partners. They took the time to curate unique collections and find those theme items people love.
Then, took the time to bundle them into themed gift sets and work with delivery and pickup the same day.
As a result, they doubled their margins and brought more local customers. People were excited about finding niche items that Amazon does not include.
The speedy delivery and easy pickup made it even better.
Feel free to contact our professionals at Coastal Surplus Solutions to learn more about our expertise. We can connect you if you are a buyer and want us to source all your surplus goods.
