Forecasting Demand for New Products

Aaron Ethridge

Last Update 9 gün önce

Estimating demand for new products can be challenging without historical sales data. 


Planster provides practical methods to accurately forecast initial demand using benchmarking and market research techniques. 


Follow this guide to set your new product forecasts effectively.

Step 1: Identify Benchmark Products

Benchmarking helps you leverage sales data from existing products that are similar to your new product.

  • Identify a comparable product within your portfolio or from competitors, considering factors like:

    • Product type

    • Price point

    • Target market

    • Sales channel

Step 2: Apply Benchmark Data
  • Navigate to the Demand Plan section and select the new product.

  • Copy the historical demand pattern from your benchmark product.

  • Adjust the baseline demand up or down based on expected differences in performance.

Step 3: Incorporate Market Research

Enhance your forecast with additional insights gained through market research:

  • Evaluate market trends and category growth.

  • Analyze competitor performance and market positioning.

  • Incorporate consumer survey results or pre-order information if available.

Adjust your forecast accordingly in the Demand Plan interface.

Step 4: Account for Launch Factors

Consider additional factors specific to your product launch:

  • Planned marketing activities and promotions

  • Seasonal timing of the launch

  • Distribution strategies

Adjust your forecast values to reflect these influences.

Step 5: Review and Finalize Forecast
  • Carefully review your forecast to ensure alignment with strategic expectations.

  • Make final adjustments based on stakeholder feedback or additional insights.

Confirm and publish your finalized demand plan.

Step 6: Post-Launch Adjustments
  • Regularly monitor sales performance in the first few weeks after launch.

  • Quickly refine and adjust forecasts based on real-time data to ensure accurate future predictions.

Best Practices for New Product Forecasting
  • Start with conservative forecasts and increase orders based on actual sales performance.

  • Continuously integrate market feedback and adjust accordingly.


Need Further Assistance?

For personalized advice or assistance with forecasting your new products, please contact Planster Support—we're ready to help!

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