After the chaos of Q4, many Amazon and Walmart sellers head into the new year with messy inventory. Between holiday returns, rushed inbound shipments, and peak-season errors, stock levels are often inaccurate and costly. Q1 is the ideal time to reset. A structured inventory health check with a trusted 3PL helps sellers clean up mistakes, regain control, and start the year with clarity.
Common Post-Q4 Inventory Problems
Once peak season ends, sellers often uncover hidden issues such as:
Mismatched inventory counts between systems
Unsellable or damaged units mixed with sellable stock
Missing or incorrect labels from rushed Q4 prep
Excess inventory driving up storage fees
Returned items sitting unprocessed
Left unresolved, these issues drain cash flow and slow down growth.
What a Q1 Inventory Health Check Involves
A proper inventory health check goes beyond counting boxes. 3PLs provide a systematic review of inventory condition, accuracy, and readiness.
Inventory Reconciliation
3PL teams physically count and verify inventory, ensuring records match actual stock. Discrepancies are identified early before they cause stockouts or overselling.
Condition-Based Sorting
Inventory is separated into categories such as:
Sellable stock
Items needing rework or relabeling
Damaged or unsellable units
Returns awaiting inspection
This clarity allows sellers to make informed decisions quickly.
Prep and Label Corrections
3PLs fix Q4 prep issues by relabeling FN-SKUs, correcting Walmart barcodes, replacing damaged packaging, and ensuring compliance with current marketplace requirements.
Removal and Recovery Planning
Unsellable or excess stock can be removed, liquidated, bundled, or repurposed instead of sitting idle and accumulating fees.
Why 3PLs Are Essential for Q1 Inventory Cleanup
Managing this process alone is time-consuming and error-prone. A 3PL provides:
Experienced warehouse staff
Standardized audit and QC processes
Accurate reporting and visibility
Fast turnaround without disrupting operations
This allows sellers to reset operations while staying focused on growth.
Benefits of Starting Q1 With Clean Inventory
Lower storage and holding costs
Accurate restock planning
Improved Amazon and Walmart performance metrics
Fewer fulfillment errors
Stronger foundation for new product launches
A clean inventory sets the tone for a profitable year.
Why Southeast Fulfillment Is the Right Q1 Partner
Southeast Fulfillment helps Amazon and Walmart sellers regain control after Q4 with:
Detailed inventory audits
Inventory sorting and rework services
Amazon FBA and Walmart WFS compliance expertise
Clear reporting and fast action plans
We help sellers start Q1 organized, compliant, and ready to scale
Q1 is not just a slow season — it’s a reset opportunity. With a comprehensive inventory health check supported by a 3PL, sellers can clean up post-Q4 issues, reduce costs, and build a stronger operational foundation for the year ahead.
Ready to start the year with clean, accurate inventory?
👉 Partner with Southeast Fulfillment and let our team audit, organize, and optimize your Amazon and Walmart inventory for a stronger Q1.