Seasonal sales and stock planner

What the seasonal sales and stock planner does

Seasons make some months far busier than others. Enter last year's sales and the growth you expect for each month, and the workbook plans this year's sales, the stock you should buy at your usual cost ratio and, once the month is over, the variance between actual and planned sales, so you can order ahead and avoid being caught short.

Who it is for

Retailers, farmers, caterers and other businesses with busy and quiet seasons, and managers preparing the annual budget.

How to use the workbook

1. Type your usual cost of stock as a percentage of sales at the top.
2. Enter last year's sales for each month and the growth you expect.
3. Read the planned sales and the stock to buy for each month.
4. Enter actual sales as the months pass and watch the variance.
5. Save a copy under a new name for each month or year, so earlier records stay as they were.

What is inside

• Planned sales from last year and expected growth
• Stock purchases planned from the cost ratio
• Actual sales and variance by month
• Totals for the year
• Chart of planned sales by month

The workbook has these sheets: Instructions, Plan, By month. The main table has the columns Month; Last year's sales; Expected growth; Planned sales; Stock to buy; Actual sales; Variance (actual less plan). Yellow cells are for you to fill in and grey cells calculate by themselves, so leave the grey cells alone. The example rows show how it works; type over them with your own entries.

Tips for getting it right

• Use real figures from last year, not estimates.
• Order stock early for your busiest months.
• Update growth assumptions when conditions change.
• Compare the plan with your cash flow forecast.

Why keep this record

Running a business on memory works until it grows. Writing the numbers down turns opinions into facts you can compare month to month, and shows early which products, customers or costs deserve attention. Even a simple workbook, used every week, usually beats a sophisticated one that is opened once a year.

Questions people ask

Do I need to know Excel formulas? No. Type into the yellow cells and the rest is worked out for you. The formulas are visible if you want to see how a figure is reached.

Can I add rows or change the layout? You can add your own columns to the right and your own notes. If you insert rows inside a table, copy the grey formula cells down so the new rows calculate too.

Will it work on my phone or in Google Sheets? Yes for viewing and typing, but dropdown lists and the charts look best in desktop Excel or LibreOffice.

Keeping it safe and up to date

A plan is only as good as the numbers you put in. Start with honest estimates, update the workbook as real figures arrive, and compare the two so your next estimate is better. Save a dated copy each month so you can see how your thinking changed.

Read how to build a cash flow forecast for the wider picture. Free calculators that go with it: Turnover tax calculator. See more business templates or ask us for a custom one.

The workbook works in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets. It is a tool to help you work out and record figures, not tax, legal or accounting advice, and it is not affiliated with the Kenya Revenue Authority. If something does not work as described, contact us and we will put it right.

Related guides, calculators and templates

• Free calculator: Turnover Tax Calculator
• Guide: How to register for turnover tax and file monthly returns on iTax
• Guide: How to use M-Pesa statements to prove income and expenses
• Guide: Bookkeeping for small businesses in Kenya: how to get started
• Another template: 12-month cash flow forecast
• Another template: Break-even and pricing calculator
• Another template: Budget versus actual tracker

Need something different? Request a custom template, browse all guides or see every Excel template.