We all know things are tough in the wine industry right now. Wineries are hustling to hit sales goals while keeping costs down. It's tempting to jump on the latest buzzworthy solutions, but in a down market, the most effective strategies are often the least flashy. Now's the perfect time to check if your partners are giving you the support you need. Let’s talk about two crucial features in direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine fulfillment: Order Types and Virtual Sub-inventories. They might not be glamorous, but they’re essential for your winery's success.
Inventory control is key for wineries. Knowing where your wine is and what's available for sale through every channel is crucial. Without virtual sub-inventories, mismanagement can lead to costly mistakes.
Picture this: Acme Winery has 75 cases of a single-vineyard Cabernet left. They kick off a telemarketing campaign to boost sales. Meanwhile, the tasting room accepts a large corporate gift order for 50 cases. The telemarketing team has a killer weekend and sells 40 cases. Without virtual sub-inventories, both teams sold the same wine twice, causing headaches and unhappy customers.
WineDirect’s virtual sub-inventories fix this problem by allowing seamless allocation and transfer of wine between channels. Our system lets you plan allocations by any channel, assign products, and maintain inventory integrity. This flexibility means you never oversell again. Plus, with our near 100% inventory accuracy and money-back guarantee, you can trust that your wine is always in good hands.
Order types add a layer of organization and segmentation, making order fulfillment efficient and accurate. Specific steps can be assigned based on order types, allowing for customization without manual intervention.
As corporate orders become more important, we’ve added a new Corporate Order type to our diverse range of order types. This is huge as corporate gifting grows within the wine industry.
For example, a corporate order might request holiday cards, gift boxes, and custom ribbons. Order types automate these instructions, ensuring complete customization without winery staff managing each order separately. With WineDirect’s new Corporate Order type feature, these orders can be tracked separately from Club, Daily, or any other order type for exact reporting.
In tough times, focusing on fundamentals can make a big difference. Order types and virtual sub-inventories might not be flashy, but they are powerful tools that streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Using these features ensures every bottle reaches its destination efficiently and accurately, preserving both revenue and reputation.
With WineDirect, you get these essential tools and more. Check if your current fulfillment partner offers the same level of support. Embrace the unsung heroes of DTC wine fulfillment with WineDirect, and watch your winery thrive even in a tough market.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming Holiday Gifting Guide, packed with essential information and handy tips for a successful holiday season. It’s launching soon! Also, don't miss our Holiday-focused webinar hosted by the Wine Industry Network in partnership with UPS, scheduled for September 5. Stay tuned for more details!
