Most cashmere stock problems start months before the season does. A buyer orders in July, the factory is full, and the sweaters land in November. The best selling weeks are already gone.

A buying calendar fixes that. It tells you when to sample, when to order, and when to stop. This guide gives you a month by month plan for each season. Your stock then arrives when customers are ready to buy.

Why Timing Matters More Than Price

A small price saving means little if the goods arrive late. Cashmere sells in short, strong windows. Miss the window and you discount stock or carry it for a year.

Timing also shapes quality. Factories are busy ahead of autumn, so rushed orders get less attention. Early orders give you better sampling, calmer production, and more room to fix problems.

Know Your Lead Times First

Every calendar starts with lead times. Work backwards from the day you need stock on shelves. Add the steps in between.

Add a buffer of two to three weeks for custom colours, embroidery, or new styles. Our guide to wholesale cashmere lead times covers each stage in detail.

The Autumn Winter Calendar for the Northern Hemisphere

Autumn winter is your biggest season in Europe, the US, and Japan. Customers start looking at cashmere in September and buy heavily through the holidays. Your calendar needs to start much earlier.

Use the plan below as a guide.

Why March and April Work Best

Factories have more spare capacity before the summer rush. You get faster sampling, closer attention, and more flexibility on colours. Buyers who order in this window often receive stock earlier and with fewer problems.

Why Late Orders Cost You

Orders placed in July or August compete with every other buyer. Lead times stretch, and the factory may push your order back. A late order can miss the window entirely.

The Holiday and Gifting Calendar

Gift products follow their own clock. They need packaging, labels, and extra planning. They also sell in a tight burst before the holidays.

Plan these gift dates early.

• Valentine’s Day, which falls in February
• Mother’s Day, which falls in March in the UK and in May in the US
• Father’s Day, usually in June
• Holiday season, from November through December
• Japanese year end and summer gifting seasons, if you sell in Japan

For holiday gifts, place orders by early summer. Add time for custom packaging and branding. Our guide to building a wholesale cashmere gift range explains how to plan the products.

The Spring and Summer Calendar

Cashmere sells in spring too, though in smaller volumes. Customers look for lighter weights, softer colours, and blends such as silk or linen. Plan these products separately.

Northern hemisphere stores selling in February and March should order in the autumn. Sample in September and October, and confirm orders by November.

Lightweight cashmere blends need extra sampling time. Our guide to linen cashmere blends explains why.

The Southern Hemisphere Calendar

Australia and New Zealand sell cashmere when the northern hemisphere is in summer. Their season runs roughly from March through August. This is an advantage, because factories have more spare capacity in the northern spring.

Southern hemisphere buyers should follow this timing.

Shipping to Australia and New Zealand takes a little longer, so add a few extra days. Add customs time too.

Pre Fall and Transitional Ranges

Many retailers add a smaller pre fall range, which arrives in July or August. It bridges summer and autumn. Lighter sweaters, cardigans, and scarves sell well here.

Order pre fall pieces in the spring, ideally March. Keep the range small. It tests demand without large stock risk.

How to Handle Reorders

Reorders let you chase demand without overbuying. They work best for proven styles that the factory has already made. Reorders skip sampling, so they move faster.

Use these rules for reorders.

• Reorder only styles that sell through quickly
• Place reorders as soon as you see strong sales
• Confirm yarn and colour availability first
• Allow full production and shipping time
• Stop reordering before the end of the season

Late reorders often arrive when demand has faded. Know your cutoff date.

Build Your Own Calendar

Every business is different. Adjust the dates for your market, your suppliers, and your sales history. Then lock the plan in and share it with your manufacturer.

Follow these steps.

• Write down your in store dates for each season
• Subtract production, shipping, and customs time
• Add a buffer of two to three weeks
• Mark sampling and approval deadlines
• Share the plan with your manufacturer early

A manufacturer who knows your plan can reserve capacity ahead of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyers often ask when to place their first order. These answers cover the most common timing questions.

When should I place my autumn winter order?

Aim for March or April. That gives you fast sampling, open capacity, and a comfortable buffer before September.

How early should I order for Christmas gifts?

Order by early summer, ideally May or June. Gift products often need packaging and branding, which adds time.

What is the latest I can order and still receive stock for autumn?

It depends on the product, but orders after June risk delays. Peak lead times can stretch to 90 days.

When should Australian retailers order?

Order between December and January for stock to arrive for the autumn season. This also avoids the northern hemisphere peak.

Can I place a small reorder mid season?

Yes, for styles the factory has already made. Reorders skip sampling and move faster. Confirm yarn and colour availability first.