How Often Should You Restock Impulse Toys? A Reorder Rhythm Guide

Impulse toys punish both extremes: over-order and you're marking down a wall of last season's craze; under-order and your best display sits empty during peak traffic. The fix isn't better guessing — it's a rhythm.

Track sell-through per style, not per category

"Toys are selling fine" hides everything useful. Track weekly units per style (Item Codes make this trivial). After three or four weeks you'll see clear tiers: fast movers, steady sellers, and shelf-sitters. Every reorder decision comes from that tier list.

Set a simple reorder point

For each fast mover, note how many units you sell in the time a reorder takes to arrive, and reorder when stock drops to that number plus a small buffer. With local Toronto stock the replenishment window is days, so the reorder point can stay low — which keeps cash free.

The rhythm in practice

• Weekly: five minutes counting the fast movers. Reorder anything at or below its point.

• Monthly: review the tier list. Promote, demote, and cut. A style that hasn't sold in a month is taking space from one that would.

• Seasonally: reset the display and introduce one or two new styles so regulars see change.

Let losers go quickly

The hardest discipline is cutting a style you personally like. Impulse retail is voting, and customers vote fast. Mark down shelf-sitters after a month, free the space, and put the money into whatever your tier list says is winning.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a store reorder impulse toys?

Weekly for counting and triggering, monthly for reviewing the lineup. Set a reorder point per fast-moving style — the stock you'd sell during a resupply window plus a small buffer — and order when you hit it.

How long should I give a toy style before cutting it?

About a month. Impulse retail is fast voting: a style that hasn't sold in a month is taking space from one that would. Mark it down, free the shelf, and put the cash into what your tier list says is winning.

How quickly can I get a toy reorder in the GTA?

Days — or same-day with warehouse pickup after confirmation. Keep Item Codes from your invoices and reorder exactly what sold via the catalog.