Your bottom-performing inventory might be your next goldmine.
Hi y’all,
Last week we talked about checking in on your mid-year goals and not letting seasonality derail your progress. This week, let’s dive into one of the most practical (and overlooked) ways to hit those revenue targets: maximizing what you already have.
First step is to pull the data — don’t let your biases and preferences overinfluence your decisions — by pulling your usage reports and getting forensic about your inventory.
Are any of your top performers and bottom performers actually that different? Or is it how you’re styling them that’s driving a delta in how effective they are at generating revenue? Before you go shopping, put your creativity to work and reimagine how you can style your existing inventory to create ‘new looks’ without ‘new inventory’.
This isn’t just about being resourceful when funds are tight (though with tariffs making overseas imports expensive, it’s definitely smart timing). It’s about thinking like a marketer. How can you style photos even in your warehouse to generate new interest?
Sometimes, a bottom performer is a lost cause. But more often, it’s a solid piece that needs better photos, smarter styling, or a fresh angle. Could your team refinish or repaint instead of replacing? That’s a win for your margins and for clients who care about sustainability.
The most successful event pros I know treat their inventory like a marketing opportunity. They understand that the same rental can look completely different depending on how it’s photographed, what it’s paired with, and how it’s presented to clients. Take these examples as inspiration:
You can also take that warehouse audit you’ve been avoiding and turn it into your competitive advantage. Look at your numbers, identify patterns, and get creative about solutions. Maybe you don’t need to buy 10 more sofas. Maybe you need to show clients how amazing your current sofas look styled with different linens, in new configurations, or paired with complementary pieces.
Fresh revenue streams without the capital investment sounds pretty good, right? You enjoy better profit margins. And the satisfaction of finding creative solutions instead of throwing money at problems.
Your inventory is already paid for. Now make it work harder for you.
See you next Monday,
Mallory Mullen
Goodshuffle
