Have you ever excitedly clicked “add to cart” on a product you’ve been eyeing, only to see the dreaded “backordered” status? It’s a frustrating experience that leaves many shoppers wondering, “what does backorder mean, anyway?”
In the fast-paced world of ecommerce, backorders are a common occurrence that can leave customers feeling confused and retailers scrambling to manage inventory. But fear not! We’re here to demystify the concept of backorders and explain everything you need to know.
Defining Backorders: What Are They?
A backorder is essentially an order for a product that is temporarily out of stock. When a customer places an order for a backordered item, the retailer accepts the order but cannot ship the product immediately because it’s not currently available in their inventory.
As Supply Chain Digest explains, “A backorder is an order for a good or service that cannot be filled at the current time due to a lack of available supply.” In other words, demand has outpaced supply, leaving the retailer unable to fulfill the order right away.
Why Do Backrders Happen?
There are several reasons why a product might become backordered:
1. Unexpected Demand Surge
Sometimes, a product experiences a sudden spike in popularity, whether due to a viral social media post, a celebrity endorsement, or a major sale event. This can catch retailers off guard, leading to backorders as they struggle to restock inventory quickly enough to meet the unexpected demand.
2. Supply Chain Disruptions
In our globalized economy, products often have complex supply chains spanning multiple countries. Disruptions at any point along the way – from natural disasters to geopolitical tensions – can lead to delays in receiving inventory and subsequent backorders.
3. Inaccurate Inventory Forecasting
Accurately predicting demand is a constant challenge for retailers. If they underestimate how much of a product they’ll need, they may end up with backorders until they can replenish their stock.
How Retailers Handle Backorders
When a product is backordered, retailers typically take one of two approaches:
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They continue accepting orders and provide customers with an estimated shipping date based on when they expect the product to be back in stock. This allows them to still capture sales, albeit with a delay in fulfillment.
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They mark the product as “out of stock” and prevent customers from placing orders until inventory is replenished. This manages customer expectations but potentially means losing out on sales in the interim.
Many retailers will offer incentives, like discounts or free expedited shipping, to encourage customers to place a backorder rather than abandoning their purchase altogether. As ecommerce expert Steve Chou notes, “The key is to overcommunicate with the customer and offer stellar service to make up for the inconvenience.”
The Bottom Line on Backorders
While backlrders can be annoying for shoppers eagerly awaiting their purchase, they’re a reality of the retail world. By understanding what backorders are, why they happen, and how retailers handle them, you can navigate the occasional backorder with a bit more patience and a lot more knowledge.
The next time you see that “backordered” notice, just remember: good things come to those who wait (and who are willing to put up with a slight delay in getting that must-have item). Happy shopping!