What Is An “Open-To-Buy”?   Knowing how much to buy and when to have it delivered. Sounds easy.   However, there are two kinds of “open-to-buy” systems:  Replacement and Forecasting.  POS systems typically provide replacement information, but Golf, Apparel and other Stores must place advance orders and require forecasting. 

Why is an Open-To-Buy Important?  Because over-stocking and under-stocking impact Margins, Cash Flow and Return on Investment. 

The “Basics” once included spreadsheet or hand retail math calculations, but no more.   It is simply not productive for employees to perform math functions that can be performed more accurately and thoroughly by computers in a matter of seconds.  Planning tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of inventory impacts corporate financials and there is too much at stake not to employ corporate software solutions.

What is the difference between an "open-to-buy" plan, and just a "buy" plan?    A "buy" plan is a once a year plan made shortly after budgets are established, with estimated adjustments during the year for current sales and inventory levels.   An "Open-to-buy" plan is completely recalculated at least once a month beginning with current EOM inventory.   Yes - this is a lot more work (if done manually), but the difference can be huge.  Open To Buy Wizard makes the monthly adjustments fast, easy and accurate.

Open-To-Buy Choices:

1. Spreadsheets or other personal method(s):   False economy:
    Less than optimum retail results are very costly!

2. Monthly open-to-buy spreadsheet Vendor:
    Better retail performance, but expensive monthly fees.

3. Professional open-to-buy software:
    Best retail performance. One time purchase. No monthly fees.

OTBW produces professional results in-house without the expense of a professional service!  

If excellence is your standard, OTBW is your program.