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How to Handle Product Returns and Expired Stock

Operations3 min read

No distribution business avoids returns and expired stock completely. The goal is to keep them as low as possible through good habits, not luck.

Always sell older stock first.

This one simple habit prevents most expiry problems before they even start.

Don't push shopkeepers to order more than they can sell.

Bigger orders might feel like a win today, but unsold stock often comes back as a loss later.

Agree on clear return rules with brands upfront.

Deciding in advance who covers the cost of damaged or expired stock avoids arguments later.

Visit shops regularly.

Sales staff can spot slow-moving stock early and adjust future orders before it becomes a bigger problem.

Be honest with brands about what's actually selling.

Telling them the real picture, not just the good news, leads to better planning together going forward.

Handling returns and expiry well is mostly about planning ahead. The distributors who manage it best catch problems early — they don't just deal with them after they happen.

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