Baked goods have a unique characteristic: they have a relatively short shelf life, and their taste gradually deteriorates over time. If these products nearing their expiration date are not handled properly, it not only wastes resources but also damages the store's reputation.
Managing products nearing their expiration date can be a real headache for any bakery. Here are three suggestions for store managers that might help you tackle this issue.
1.Plan production in advance to reduce the generation of products nearing their expiration date at the source
The first step in managing products nearing their expiration dates is to minimize their occurrence as much as possible. Stores should plan the purchase and production volumes for each product based on daily sales data and the expiration dates of different items.
In practice, if certain products have short shelf lives and experience significant daily sales fluctuations, avoid producing too much at once. Instead, follow the principle of small batches and frequent production runs to ensure that the number of freshly made products each day meets the needs of most customers without leaving too many leftovers.
Additionally, when it comes to product display, arrange items in a logical order, placing products nearing their expiration dates in prominent locations (toward the front) so customers see and purchase them first. This approach reduces the generation of near-expiration products at the source, saving time and effort on subsequent handling while also lowering waste costs.
2.Accelerate product turnover with flexible promotions
When a product is nearing its expiration date, promotions and recommendations are key. In some cases, products nearing their expiration date aren't necessarily of poor quality. At this point, offering samples or applying direct discounts can help speed up inventory turnover and reduce waste.
When offering tastings for products nearing their expiration date, the prerequisite is that the product tastes good. If customers try it before making a purchase, they are more likely to buy it. In other words, giving the product more visibility in front of customers prevents a tasty product from being overlooked simply because it's nearing its expiration date.
There are many promotional methods available. For example, you can set up a dedicated promotional area for products nearing their expiration date in the store, using eye-catching signage to attract customers' attention; Discounts are a straightforward approach. Different discounts can be set based on the remaining shelf life, with larger discounts offered as the expiration date approaches to stimulate purchases; buy-one-get-one-free promotions can also be introduced, such as offering a free expiring snack with the purchase of a best-selling product. This makes customers feel they are getting a good deal, boosts satisfaction, and helps clear out expiring inventory. The underlying principle here is to use flexible promotional tactics to accelerate product turnover and convert expiring products into cash flow.
3.With the right approach, products nearing their expiration date can still make a meaningful contribution
Some products can be repurposed through secondary processing to take on a new form for customers, such as turning sliced bread into sandwiches or grilled cheese. Of course, this transformation must be done in a way that ensures the products meet food safety standards and pose no food safety risks; it should not be interpreted as simply reprocessing expired products and putting them back on the shelves.
In addition to these methods, for products nearing their expiration date that simply cannot be sold through promotions, you can also contact local charities, community service centers, or shelters to donate products that meet food safety standards to those in need. This reduces direct waste and builds a positive reputation for the store.
For bakeries, managing products nearing their expiration dates is a strategy to maximize sales while effectively controlling costs, ensuring the store remains fully stocked while minimizing final wastage. Advance planning, reasonable promotions, and appropriate repurposing are all effective ways to address this issue. By comprehensively utilizing these methods, you may no longer have to worry about products nearing their expiration dates.
