Two things hurt a boutique: running out of a best seller and holding stock that never sells. One number helps with both. This guide explains days of cover, the simplest way to find your reorder point.
By the Cherrysmock team, Hanoi, Vietnam. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer: Your reorder point is reached when days of cover (pieces in stock ÷ average pieces sold per day) falls to your lead time plus a small buffer. Example: 9 pieces selling 0.81 per day is 11 days of cover, so a 20-day lead time is late and a 7-day one leaves about 4 days.
This guide covers reorder point step by step, with example numbers you can reuse.
Key takeaways: reorder point
- Days of cover = stock ÷ daily sales.
- Re-order when days of cover is lower than lead time plus a buffer.
- Same stock, different decision: 20-day lead time = late; 7-day lead time = wait about 4 more days.
- Slow designs have very long cover: pause re-orders and plan a bundle.
What is days of cover?
Days of cover = pieces in stock ÷ average pieces sold per day
It answers: “If sales continue like this, how many days until I am out?” Compare that with your supplier’s lead time. If days of cover is lower than lead time, you are already late.
What does a reorder point example look like?
You have 9 pieces of a bishop set. It sells about 0.81 pieces per day, so you have around 11 days of cover.
- With a 20-day re-order (smocked pool order), you are late by about 9 days. You should have re-ordered earlier.
- With a 7-day re-order (ready-to-ship), you could wait about 4 more days before ordering, less if you count shipping time.
The same stock, but a different decision, because the lead time is different. That is why speed saves money: the shorter your lead time, the less safety stock you need on the shelf.
How do you use the reorder point every week?
- Record each design and size in your stock sheet or in the planner’s Stock tab.
- Press Sold every time you sell a piece, so your daily sales rate is based on real data.
- Each week, sort by “most urgent”. Re-order anything whose days of cover is lower than its lead time.
- For slow designs, cover is very long. Pause re-orders and plan a bundle or a small discount. See why a boutique can sell a lot and still lose money.
Match the product to the lead time
- Proven best sellers in Princess Dress or Daily Dress: restock from ready-to-ship, 10 pieces per design.
- Smocked best sellers: re-order from the pool, 30 pieces per design, about 20 days. Start earlier, because your cover must be longer than 20 days.
Your stock stays on your own phone in the planner. If you want us to look at it with you, you can send a summary to us on WhatsApp.
The reorder point formula
The classic reorder point formula is daily sales × lead time, plus safety stock. In plain boutique terms: reorder point (in pieces) = daily sales × lead time days + a small buffer. At 0.81 pieces per day and a 20-day lead time, that is about 16 pieces plus a buffer. At a 7-day lead time it is about 6 pieces plus a buffer. Same sales speed, far less stock needed.
Three mistakes that break the number
- Using a “feeling” for sales speed. Count real sales per day over at least two weeks.
- Forgetting seasons. Sales speed changes around holidays, so recalculate before each season.
- Ignoring size. Cover is per design and per size. A design can look healthy while its best size is about to run out.
Reorder point: the short version
Your reorder point is simply the moment your days of cover equals your lead time plus a buffer. Track it weekly, re-order before you hit it, and use ready-to-ship stock when speed matters.
Factory insight: Count the full lead time, not just production. A ready-to-ship reorder leaves the workshop in 5 to 7 days, but it is on your shelf after about 10 days once US delivery is added, so a style with 11 days of cover is already at its reorder point.
Reorder point: lead time facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ready-to-ship minimum | Ready-to-ship styles start from 10 pieces per design. |
| Group orders | A group order lets several boutiques share one hand-smocked design; it starts from 30 pieces per design and takes about 20 days. |
| Transit time | Delivery after dispatch takes about 3 to 4 days to the US or Canada and 4 to 5 days to the UK or Europe. |
| Couriers | Orders ship with UPS, DHL or FedEx, usually the most economical option for the route. |
| Ready-to-ship dispatch | In-stock styles ship in 5 to 7 days. |
| Payment terms | Orders under $1,000 are paid 100% upfront; orders of $1,000 to $5,000 use a 70% deposit and 30% before shipping; orders over $5,000 use 50% and 50%. |
| Volume discount | Orders of 500 to 1,000 pieces get 2% off, 1,000 to 5,000 pieces get 5% off, and over 5,000 pieces get 7% off. |
Frequently asked questions about reorder point
What is a good days of cover number?
It should be higher than your lead time. If your re-order takes 20 days, you should re-order before your stock drops below about 20 days of cover, plus a small buffer.
How do I find my daily sales rate?
Divide the pieces sold by the number of days in the period. The planner does it for you when you tap Sold each time you sell a piece.
Does a shorter lead time really lower my stock?
Yes. With a 7-day lead time you can wait longer before you re-order than with a 20-day lead time, so you carry less safety stock.
Should the lead time include shipping?
Yes. Count production plus shipping, for example 5 to 7 days for ready-to-ship stock plus 3 to 4 days of delivery to the US.
Free gift: the Cherrysmock Boutique Planner – landed-cost and pricing formula, days-of-cover stock tracker, season order calendar and 11 short lessons. Get the free planner
Want stock, prices or an order plan for your store? Talk to Jessi and the Cherrysmock team or message us on WhatsApp – we reply within one business day.
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