Case Study: Halloween Express achieves real-time inventory control and higher seasonal profits with RICS Software

Halloween Express Successfully Managing Inventory Using RICS

Halloween Express, a seasonal retailer with over 200 franchised stores and an intense eight-week selling season, faced a high-stakes inventory challenge: buyers place initial orders nearly 11 months in advance and franchisees begin selling on September 1, so accurate, real-time sales data from the first two days is critical to decide fast reorders before the final week (which drives ~50% of sales). Getting assortment wrong could mean heavy losses for franchisees.

By adopting RICS’s web-based, real-time retail system, Halloween Express now manages 40,000 SKUs online and 8,000 in stores, analyzes performance down to individual SKUs and vendors, and uses Best/Worst Sellers reports, balancing transfers, and a suggested “model buy” to guide franchisees. The company completes two to three rapid reorders during the season, reducing overstock and redundant purchases, saving thousands annually, and improving profitability and growth.

Halloween Express

Holly Bowling

COO