Overstocks and excess stock of premium gift sets

This is a parcel of overstocks we offered to our buyers, left over from a premium online gift company. Many of the sets weren't complete, so it was largely excess stock of individual items alongside high-quality empty gift boxes.

What was in the parcel?

Bath and body gift box items - MOR Emporium Body Butter x 40, MOR Fig & Olive Body/Hand Balm x 15, MOR Deluxe Spa x 19, MOR Mini Body Butter x 30, MOR Persian Peach Massage Oil x 20 - Revive Coffee Table Book x 35, Indulge Coffee Table Book x 35

Grooming gift box items - Leather Shoe Cleaning Kits x 400, Suited & Booted Coffee Table Book x 70 - Crabtree & Evelyn Sandalwood shaving cream x 20, Body Bar x 20, Shower Mousse x 20

Gourmet gift box items - Olive Oil Coffee Book x 100

Baby gift box items - Little House Sheet Sets x 80, Mum to Mum DVD #1 x 20, DVD #2 x 15, Silent Night Books x 20 - Tonic Shampoo x 129, Tonic Baby Lotion x 130, Body Butter x 45

Plus black Kirby & Kirby gift boxes.

Why does a gift company end up with stock like this?

Gift sets are built for a season or a campaign. When one component runs out, the rest of the set is stranded. Add over-ordered packaging and you have a warehouse of half-sets.

What makes it sellable, and what makes it hard?

Named brands and quality packaging help a lot. The challenge is the mix: health and beauty items, books, DVDs and baby linen don't all suit the same buyer. Some items also carry dates, so buyers want to know them up front.

The trick is to see the parts as opportunities. A buyer can build their own gift boxes from the components and the empty boxes.

Who typically buys it?

Gift hamper makers, discount chains, wholesalers, charities and overseas buyers. Premium brand owners often worry about where stock ends up, which is why protecting your brand when clearing stock matters as much as the price.

What should a seller with similar stock do?

Clear it while the packaging is still fresh and the dated items have life left.

1. Send us a stock list spreadsheet (SKU, description, quantity, cost or RRP if you're happy to share, and any best-before dates), a few photos and the location of the stock. Email it to john@coorey.com or call John on 0411 430 047.
2. John discreetly surveys the market to find out what it's worth.
3. In most cases, he makes an offer to buy all of it.

Read more about excess stock, or start with how we buy.