2025 made one thing clear. Ecommerce sellers are operating in a more complex environment than ever before.
More channels. More suppliers. More fulfillment options. And more pressure to get inventory decisions right the first time.
Throughout the year, our focus stayed consistent. We worked to build forecasting infrastructure that supports how sellers actually operate as they grow, diversify, and expand across channels.
Turning Real Order Data into Real Forecasts
Many sellers already have the data they need. What they don’t have is a way to turn that data into reliable forecasts without manual work.
That’s why we launched our ShipStation integration.
ShipStation centralizes order flow across channels, but it’s not designed for forecasting or replenishment. Inventory Optimizer fills that gap by transforming daily orders into accurate, SKU-level forecasts that update automatically as demand changes. Behind the scenes, Inventory Optimizer uses advanced forecasting models and AI-driven analysis to continuously evaluate patterns in real order data, improving accuracy as conditions change.
With ShipStation data connected, sellers gain:
- A unified view of demand across all channels
- Automated replenishment recommendations
- Vendor-ready purchase orders built around real constraints
- Fewer stockouts and less excess inventory
When forecasting is accurate, purchasing becomes proactive instead of reactive.
Forecasting Through Supply Chain Change
2025 also brought major shifts in how sellers source and manufacture products.
Rising tariffs, port congestion, and longer lead times pushed many brands to diversify production beyond China. But changing suppliers introduces complexity—different lead times, higher MOQs, and new production schedules.
In one episode of our podcast, “If You Don’t Have It, You Can’t Sell It,” Craig Barnell and Ryan Carbone shared how Fishers Finery navigated this transition using Inventory Optimizer. By modeling each supplier’s timing and extending planning horizons, the team maintained in-stock performance while expanding production to Vietnam, India, and Pakistan.
The takeaway was simple. Supply chain diversification only works when forecasting adjusts alongside it. Inventory Optimizer gave the team visibility across suppliers and channels without disrupting fulfillment.
Seeing the Full Picture Beyond Amazon Forecasts
Another recurring challenge in 2025 was reliance on platform-native forecasting—especially for sellers using Amazon MCF and AWD.
While Amazon’s fulfillment network is powerful, AWD’s replenishment forecasts don’t include MCF demand. For multi-channel sellers, this creates blind spots and understocked SKUs.
Fishers Finery uncovered this gap by comparing Amazon’s recommendations with Inventory Optimizer’s independently validated forecast, which consistently exceeded 93% accuracy. With full demand visibility, they were able to restock confidently and challenge inaccurate recommendations using real data.
For MCF sellers, the lesson was clear. Fulfillment tools are not a replacement for independent forecasting.
What This Means Going Forward
Across integrations, case studies, and customer conversations, 2025 reinforced a single truth: forecasting has to reflect how real sellers actually operate.
Inventory Optimizer is built to sit above channels, suppliers, and fulfillment networks—connecting demand, adapting to change, and giving teams confidence in every reorder decision.
Thank you to our customers, partners, and team for pushing us forward this year. If 2025 was about building forecasting that scales, what comes next will be about helping sellers scale with confidence.
Start forecasting smarter and build inventory systems that scale with your business.
