Collection Launch Logistics

Work Backwards From Delivery

Start with your in-store or ship date and plan backwards: 1–2 weeks for final QC and packing, 3–6 weeks for ocean freight (or 1 week by air), 8–12 weeks for bulk production, 3–4 weeks for pre-production sampling. Miss the start date and every downstream milestone slips. Build a 2-week buffer — something always goes wrong.

Freight and Warehousing Decisions

Ocean freight costs a fraction of air but demands earlier booking and longer lead times; many brands split shipments — air a portion for launch day, ocean the balance. Decide early whether you'll hold stock yourself, use a 3PL warehouse, or ship direct from the factory. Each model changes your cash flow and your control over the customer experience.

Coordinating Drops and Deliveries

Wholesale accounts expect delivery inside agreed windows — late delivery can mean cancelled orders or chargebacks. For DTC drops, coordinate marketing, inventory arrival, and customer service staffing to the same date. Never announce a launch date publicly until bulk production is confirmed and freight is booked.

FAQs

How far in advance should production start?

For a seasonal collection: begin bulk production 4–6 months before the target in-store date, longer if shipping by ocean or producing complex garments.

What causes most launch delays?

Fabric delays, sample approval rounds running long, and factory capacity overbooking. Lock fabric early and cap your sample rounds contractually.

Should I air freight or ocean freight?

Ocean for cost on the bulk of inventory; air for a launch allocation or when you're running late. Build the air-freight contingency into your costing.

What is a delivery window?

The agreed period (often 2–4 weeks) during which wholesale orders must arrive. Delivering outside it can trigger penalties or cancellations.