Melanin Magic Inventory & Ordering Handbook

Introduction

This handbook defines the full internal system used by Authorized Retailers, salons, barbershops, boutiques, and professional partners to manage inventory, plan orders, and maintain healthy margins while carrying Melanin Magic. It is designed to help partners stay profitable, streamline restocking, and avoid over-ordering or stockouts.

Confidential. Trade secret. Authorized use only.

Section 1: Understanding Melanin Magic Inventory Cycles

Melanin Magic products move in predictable cycles based on:

• Seasonality
• Service demand
• Consumer trends
• Salon client volume

Typical reorder cycles:

• High-volume salons: every 2 to 3 weeks
• Medium salons: every 4 weeks
• Boutiques & small retailers: every 4 to 6 weeks
• Barbers: every 4 to 8 weeks (dependent on SKU mix)

Liters and gallons move slower but drive higher margins and lower cost per service.

Section 2: Backbar vs Retail Inventory Strategy

Retailers must separate inventory into:

• Retail stock: Products meant for resale
• Backbar stock: Products meant for service use only

Backbar should always be kept in:

• Liters
• Gallons
• Refill dispensers

Retail shelves should be stocked with 8 oz SKUs and samples.

Backbar usage rate estimate:

• 1 gallon = 30 to 50 full-service uses depending on product
• 1 liter = 7 to 12 uses

Section 3: SKU Velocity (Which Products Move Fastest)

Based on Melanin Magic’s current performance across salons:

Fastest-moving retail SKUs:

• Daily Miracle
• MeloMoist Shampoo
• MeloMoist Conditioner
• Repair & Revive Treatment
• Flex Paste
• VersaStyler Cream
• MeloMoist Hair Elixir

Moderate velocity:

• Purple Perfection Shampoo
• Amplify Foam
• Crown Control Pomade
• Resilient Blow Dry Cream

Slowest-moving (stock lower quantities):

• Samples (2 oz)
• Lock It! Hairspray
• Glow & Go Shine Spray

Section 4: Standard Inventory Levels (Recommended)

For Salons with 3+ stylists:

• 12 to 18 units per core SKU (retail)
• 1 to 2 liters per SKU (backbar)
• 1 gallon for highest-usage shampoos and conditioners

For Salons with 1 to 2 stylists:

• 6 units per core SKU
• 1 liter per SKU backbar
• 1 gallon only for main shampoos if needed

Boutiques / Beauty Retailers:

• 6 units per SKU

Barbershops:

• 3 to 6 units of Flex Paste and Crown Control Pomade
• 3 to 6 units of Daily Miracle

Section 5: How To Build a Profitable Wholesale Order

To maintain margins, a wholesale order should follow this formula:

Formula

Core SKUs (60 percent)

• Choose high-velocity products
• Ensure duplicates for every stylist

Support SKUs (30 percent)

• Styling products
• Niche products
• Purple Perfection Shampoo

Upsell SKUs (10 percent)

• Samples
• Shine sprays
• Travel sizes

This structure ensures:

• Predictable revenue
• Consistent margins
• No dead inventory

Section 6: Ordering Frequency by Business Type

High-volume salon:

• Order every 14 to 21 days
• Mix: 24 to 48 items per order

Medium salon:

• Order every 30 days
• Mix: 12 to 24 items

Boutique retailer:

• Order every 30 to 45 days
• Mix: 12 to 18 items

Barbershop:

• Order every 45 to 60 days
• Mix: 6 to 12 items

Section 7: Margin Protection & Profit Targets

Every retailer should aim for:

• 40 percent minimum margin (MAP protected)
• 50 percent or higher with bundles and service tie-ins

Top profit strategies:

• Bundle Daily Miracle + Elixir + Treatment
• Use gallons for backbar to reduce service cost
• Offer sample-size upsells
• Add add-on treatments to services

Section 8: How to Avoid Dead Inventory

Dead inventory hurts cash flow. Avoid it by following these steps:

• Never order more than 12 units of slow SKUs
• Rotate shelves every week
• Put fast-moving items at eye level
• Tie slow products to service add-ons
• Track monthly SKU velocity

If a product does not sell within 60 to 90 days, reduce its shelf presence and invest more heavily in top movers.

Section 9: Restock Alerts & Seasonal Planning

Seasonal spikes:

• Winter: Deep conditioners, moisturizers, repair products
• Summer: Shampoos, smoothing creams, humidity-blocking stylers
• Back-to-school: Samples, foams, styling products
• Holiday: Everything sells faster — must stock heavy

Retailers should:

• Restock 30 percent more inventory from November through January
• Increase sample bundles to drive try-before-you-buy behavior

Section 10: Shelf Life & Product Rotation

Shelf life: 18 to 24 months unopened.

Rotation method:

• FIFO (First In First Out)
• Do not open liters or gallons until needed
• Keep opened gallons sealed tightly

Avoid:

• Storing products in hot backrooms
• Shelving products under direct sunlight

Section 11: Inventory Tracking System

Retailers may use:

• Square
• Shopify POS
• WooCommerce POS
• Vagaro
• GlossGenius
• Manual spreadsheets

Key metrics to track:

• Units on hand
• Units sold per week
• Best sellers
• Slow sellers
• Average order value

Section 12: Order Minimums & Requirements

Melanin Magic Wholesale requires:

• Initial order minimum: $500
• Restock minimum: $250
• Minimum 6 units per haircare SKU
• Minimum 12 units per skincare SKU

Quarterly minimum to stay Authorized Retailer: $750 total

Section 13: How To Place an Order

Orders may be placed via:

• Melanin Magic Wholesale Portal
• Email through CrownThrive support
• Approved purchase order template

Steps:

1. Add products to cart.
2. Ensure minimum quantities.
3. Review SKU mix.
4. Submit order.
5. Receive confirmation.
6. Payment clears.
7. Production + packing begins.

Section 14: Shipping & Logistics

Standard lead time:

• 1 to 4 weeks
• 4 to 6 weeks for peak season

Shipping guidelines:

• Orders under $499 charged flat rate
• Large orders billed by weight + distance
• Retailers will receive tracking numbers

Backbar bottles and gallons ship separately when needed.

Section 15: Common Ordering Mistakes & Fixes

Mistake 1: Ordering too many slow SKUs

Fix: Allocate 80 percent of your budget to top movers.

Mistake 2: Running out of Daily Miracle

Fix: Always order at least 12 to 18 units.

Mistake 3: Not separating backbar and retail stock

Fix: Dedicate a separate storage area.

Mistake 4: Not rotating inventory

Fix: Weekly shelf review.

Mistake 5: Over-ordering gallons

Fix: Only buy gallons for shampoos/conditioners — not stylers.

Section 16: Financial Planning for Retail Partners

Retailers should aim for:

• 3x turnover rate (inventory sells every 30-45 days)
• Minimum retail margin of 40 percent
• Maximum COGS allocation of 30 percent of monthly revenue

Recommended retail goals:

• $1,000 to $3,000 per month for small salons
• $3,000 to $7,000 for mid-size
• $7,000 to $15,000+ for large salons

Section 17: Bundle & Upsell Strategies

High-converting bundles:

• Moisture Trio (Shampoo + Conditioner + Daily Miracle)
• Repair Set (Treatment + Elixir)
• Styling Trio (VersaStyler + Flex Paste + Foam)

Upsell opportunities:

• Add 2 oz samples at checkout
• Offer treatment add-ons during services
• Display bundles in salon waiting areas

Closing Summary

This handbook gives retailers everything they need to manage inventory, plan orders, and stay profitable while representing Melanin Magic. These standards ensure consistent product availability, strong margins, and aligned brand presentation across all retail partners.