Stock what sells, when it sells.
Inventory planners and merchandisers do not need more opinions. They need a clear read on what people are actually looking for. This post shows how a team used monthly demand data from what people search and say to set the mix, stay in stock, and time promotions. The result was simple. Less time collecting data and marketing spend that worked twice as hard. If you set assortments, plan buys, or coordinate promotions with retail partners, this is a practical playbook to stock the right products and promote them at the right moment.
The question
What should we stock and promote next month so stores and media are not guessing?
The problem
Overstocks on slow movers and stockouts on items customers really wanted. Plans were copied from last year’s calendar instead of this month’s demand.
What the team analyzed with MyTelescope (monthly)
Heating up vs cooling down: category and SKU themes that are rising or fading
When: months and moments that lift demand such as holidays and weather shifts
Where: regions and retailers with stronger pull
Words that drive action: the language people use that signals intent
What the team found
A small set of SKUs and themes drove most of the demand. Timing was not even across the map. Some regions spiked earlier, and certain weeks inside the month carried more intent.
What the team changed
Assortment and buys: shifted units toward the items that were heating up
Shelves and pages: placed winners in prime positions in store and online
Promotions: ran the push in the weeks and regions that showed clear demand
Results
Saved time collecting the data with one monthly view everyone could trust
Marketing effectiveness doubled by promoting the products customers were already hunting for and by matching timing to real demand
Avoided price promotions on priority items because inventory and timing lined up with when people wanted them
Run this play:
List the category and candidate SKUs
Pull this month’s rising and cooling themes
Mark the weeks and regions with the strongest pull
Align buys and shelf space to the winners
Schedule the promotion in the weeks with the highest intent
Review results and repeat next month
Monthly watchlist
Top rising SKUs and themes
Regions moving up or down
Weeks that carry the most intent
Search and conversation words that signal action
FAQs
Q1: What do you mean by demand data for supply chain and merchandising?
It is an aggregate read of what people are searching for and talking about. Teams use it to see which items are heating up, when interest peaks, and where to focus inventory and promotions.
Q2: How often is the data updated?
Monthly. You get a month over month view of rising and cooling demand, plus timing and regional patterns.
Q3: What ROI can teams expect?
Two outcomes we can claim. Time saved collecting the data and marketing effectiveness doubled when promotions match products people are already looking for.
Q4: Did teams still need price promotions?
Often not. By stocking and featuring items when demand was highest, teams moved priority products at regular price and protected margin.