Independent retailers should not choose readers or sunglasses from a generic ratio. Stock more deeply behind the category that creates repeatable sell-through, reorders, and customer demand in that store.
What favors readers
An older customer base, everyday convenience demand, and repeated power-level stockouts support deeper readers. Power availability matters more than total reader units.
What favors sunglasses
Outdoor lifestyle, travel, climate, destination traffic, and fashion demand can support greater sunglass depth and style breadth.
How to decide the mix
- compare sales and gross-profit contribution
- track reader-power stockouts
- track sunglass sell-through by season
- watch reorder frequency
- watch aging inventory
Practical rule
Use the opening order to learn. Reallocate positions and backstock after the first service cycles instead of preserving a ratio that the store has already disproved.
Continue: Independent Retailers resource center, display capacity, backstock planning, or discuss the assortment with Major Frames.