Before launching an EOFY sale, review your promotion terms, website performance, product inventory, packaging supplies, fulfilment capacity, delivery information and returns process. Forecast the likely increase in orders, test the complete customer journey, and make sure your team has enough bags, boxes, labels and packing materials to manage demand without delaying orders.
A successful EOFY sale depends on operations as much as on the size of the discount. A strong offer will bring more customers to the door or the checkout, but those customers will still judge the business on whether products are actually available, whether the website and checkout work smoothly, whether the order is packed correctly, whether delivery expectations are realistic, whether returns are easy to understand, and whether the final packaging reflects the business professionally.
This checklist applies whether the business runs a bricks-and-mortar store, an ecommerce site, click and collect, a pop-up stall, or a mix of all three.
Before You Launch: Five Areas to Check
- Product inventory and discount settings
- Website, checkout and mobile performance
- Retail bags and ecommerce packaging stock
- Fulfilment, delivery and click-and-collect capacity
- Returns, customer support and post-sale follow-up
When Should You Start Preparing for an EOFY Sale?
Work backwards from the promotion launch date, the final sale date, your advertising schedule, expected peak order days, any custom packaging production time, stock delivery dates, courier cut-off times and staff availability.
Four to eight weeks before launch: define the offer, forecast demand, check product inventory, audit packaging stock, order any customised materials, and review fulfilment capacity.
Two to four weeks before launch: build sale landing pages, test discount codes, confirm staff rosters, prepare campaigns, confirm courier arrangements and receive packaging stock.
Final week: test the website and checkout, pre-pack high-volume bundles where practical, label packing areas, confirm customer-service responses, recheck stock counts and review sale terms.
During the sale: monitor inventory, check abandoned checkouts, track packing time, communicate delays promptly and replenish packing stations.
After the sale: complete fulfilment, process returns, analyse product and packaging usage, record what went wrong, and plan reorders.
If you are ordering custom-printed packaging for the promotion, build in enough lead time. Selected Smartbag custom-printed paper bags can currently be ordered from 50 units, with printing typically completed within 7–10 working days after artwork approval for eligible one-sided orders. Other products, including printed tote bags, mailing boxes and fully custom-made products, have different minimum quantities and production schedules, so always check the individual product page before setting your EOFY timeline.
Step 1: Define the EOFY Offer Clearly
Before worrying about bags and boxes, be clear on exactly what is being sold and how. Decide on a percentage discount, dollar-value discount, clearance pricing, bundle offer, buy-more-save-more structure, free shipping threshold, gift with purchase, or a limited-stock offer, and whether it applies online only, in store only, or both.
Answer these questions before the sale goes live: which products are included and excluded, whether discount codes can be combined, whether the discount applies automatically, whether there is a minimum spend, when the promotion starts and finishes, what happens when sale stock sells out, and whether returns are handled differently for clearance items.
Display your terms clearly and prominently. This article is not a substitute for legal advice. If you need guidance on sale pricing, discount disclosure or your obligations under Australian Consumer Law, check current guidance from the ACCC or speak with your legal adviser.
Step 2: Forecast Demand and Check Product Inventory
Base your forecast on your own sales data rather than optimism. Review sales from the previous EOFY period, performance of other major promotions, average order value, units sold by category, and the split between online, in-store and click-and-collect demand. Cross-check this against current inventory, incoming purchase orders and supplier lead times.
A simple forecast: expected sale orders multiplied by the average number of items per order gives an estimated number of units required. Compare that figure against available sale inventory, reserve stock, incoming stock and any safety allowance.
Do not over-order purely to avoid running out. Excess inventory left over after 30 June can create cash-flow, storage and clearance problems of its own.
Step 3: Audit Your Website and Mobile Checkout
Log on to your own website as if you were a new customer. Check that products are easy to find, that filters and search work, that discount codes and automatic discounts apply correctly, that out-of-stock products are handled properly rather than still appearing for sale, and that shipping costs and delivery estimates are visible before checkout.
On mobile, confirm that buttons are easy to tap, pop-ups do not block the screen, address entry is simple, and any digital wallet options you offer actually work.
The most reliable test is to place a genuine order: land on the sale page, find a product, select a variant, add it to the cart, apply the offer, calculate delivery, complete payment, and check that the order actually arrives in your warehouse system correctly.
Step 4: Synchronise Inventory Across Every Sales Channel
This is one of the most common EOFY failure points. Problems arise when the same product is sold twice across channels, when stores hold stock that is not visible online, when customers order variants that are actually unavailable, or when click-and-collect orders unexpectedly consume retail floor stock.
Decide in advance which channel gets priority if stock runs low, whether stock is pooled or allocated by channel, how often counts are reconciled, and how customers will be contacted if an item they ordered is not actually available.
Step 5: Calculate How Much Packaging You Will Need
Product stock alone is not enough. Depending on your business, you will also need retail paper bags, takeaway bags, mailing boxes, protective wrap, padded mailers, tissue paper, tape and labels.
A simple packaging forecast: expected sale orders multiplied by the average packaging units used per order gives an estimated packaging requirement. Then add your existing packaging stock, any open supplier orders, an allowance for damaged stock, multiple-item orders, returns packaging, and click-and-collect bags.
For example, a business expecting 800 orders should not automatically buy 800 mailing boxes. Work out first how many orders will actually use boxes, how many will use padded mailers, how many are multi-parcel, and how many will be collected in store rather than shipped.
Step 6: Choose Packaging by Sales Channel
Physical retail typically needs paper carry bags in a range of sizes, tissue paper and gift bags. Keep bags close to the point of sale, refill checkout stations before opening, and keep bag sizes clearly separated so staff are not guessing.
Ecommerce fulfilment typically needs mailing boxes, padded mailers, protective wrap, tissue paper and tape. Set packaging rules by product type in advance rather than relying on one box size for everything, and confirm your labels actually adhere properly under transit conditions.
Click and collect typically needs handled paper bags, clear order-identification labels, and dedicated shelving by collection time or customer name. Keep customer details private, make collected orders easy for staff to identify, and make sure collected orders are not mistaken for store stock.
Food and takeaway businesses typically need takeaway bags, food containers and labels. Confirm food-contact suitability of any packaging before using it for hot or fresh food.
Step 7: Check Whether Each Bag Fits the Product
Do not choose a bag from a product photo alone. Test the actual item, or a representative sample, in the bag you intend to use. Check width, height, gusset depth, combined weight, sharp corners, handle strength, and whether the bag closes properly with the product inside.
Step 8: Prepare the Packing Station
A well-organised packing station will do more for sale-period consistency than almost anything else on this list. Set up correct bag and box sizes, tape, labels, tissue paper, scissors, markers and a clear area for completed orders versus problem orders.
Write down simple packing instructions: which package to use for which product, how much protective material is needed, how fragile items are handled, and when an order needs a second parcel. A basic visual guide reduces mistakes when temporary staff are brought on for the sale period.
Step 9: Decide How Much Branding the Packaging Needs
There are several levels of commitment here, and the right one depends on timing and budget.
Plain stock packaging suits urgent supply needs and high-volume operational use. Stock bags with custom stickers suit shorter lead times and event-specific branding. Fully custom-printed bags or boxes suit businesses with stable branding and predictable volumes who can plan ahead of the sale.
To avoid date-specific waste, consider permanent branding on the bag with a removable EOFY sticker, a campaign insert, or a QR code linking to current sale information, rather than printing "EOFY" directly onto a large quantity of bags that will still be in stock after 30 June.
Step 10: Make the Unboxing Experience Efficient, Not Excessive
Tissue paper, a branded sticker or a simple thank-you note can add a nice touch to an order, but a sale period is not the time to introduce a slow, complex packing ritual. For each addition, ask whether it protects the product, whether staff can apply it consistently, and whether it adds meaningful packing time. Attractive packaging can support a brand, but it does not guarantee social sharing or repeat purchases, and it is worth being realistic about that.
Step 11: Confirm Fulfilment Capacity
Estimate available packing hours multiplied by the average orders packed per hour per staff member to get a daily fulfilment capacity, then compare that against your expected daily order volume. If demand looks likely to exceed capacity, options include adding staff, extending packing hours, simplifying packaging, pre-assembling common combinations, or limiting sale quantities on the busiest products.
Step 12: Set Realistic Dispatch and Delivery Expectations
Dispatch time and delivery time are not the same thing, and customers need to understand both.Delivery times vary by carrier, origin, destination and seasonal demand. Confirm current courier estimates before the promotion and communicate them as guidance rather than guaranteed arrival dates.
Confirm current cut-off times and expected timeframes with your own courier or freight provider, since these vary by carrier and can change during high-volume periods.
Display delivery expectations on the sale landing page, product page, cart, checkout and order confirmation, and avoid promising a specific delivery date that depends entirely on a third-party carrier.
Step 13: Prepare for Returns and Exchanges
Discounted and clearance stock often generates more returns and more customer questions than full-priced stock. Review your return eligibility, any different terms for clearance items, your exchange process, return window and who covers return postage, before the sale starts rather than during it.
Be clear with staff and customers about the difference between your own store policy and a customer's statutory rights under Australian Consumer Law. For current, authoritative guidance on refunds, repairs and replacements, refer to the ACCC's consumer rights information rather than relying on assumptions.
Step 14: Prepare Customer-Service Responses
Have templates ready for the questions that come up every sale period: why a discount code is not working, whether a specific item is included in the sale, when an order will be dispatched, whether an order can be collected instead of shipped, and what happens if an item sells out mid-checkout. Avoid automating responses so heavily that a customer with a genuinely complex problem cannot reach a person.
Step 15: Use the Sale to Encourage a Second Purchase
A discount-led sale does not have to end at the transaction. Consider following up with order-care information, a loyalty program invitation, a full-price reorder incentive, or a request for honest feedback on the delivery experience. The goal is to turn a one-off discount purchase into an ongoing customer relationship, without overstating what any single tactic will achieve.
EOFY Checklist by Business Type
Bricks-and-mortar retailer: product stock, point-of-sale discounts, paper carry bags, checkout staffing, queue management, returns.
Ecommerce retailer: website performance, inventory synchronisation, mailing packaging, packing capacity, delivery communication, returns.
Click-and-collect business: real-time stock accuracy, collection bags, order labels, collection shelving, customer notifications, handling of uncollected orders.
Fashion and apparel retailer: size and colour inventory, garment protection, return-compatible packaging, tissue paper, higher expected return volume.
Café or takeaway operator: takeaway bags, food-contact packaging, order labels, peak-service capacity, spillage prevention.
Common EOFY Sale Preparation Mistakes
Launching a discount without checking margin. Advertising products that are not actually available. Failing to test discount codes before launch. Ignoring the mobile checkout experience. Running out of carry bags or mailing boxes mid-sale. Ordering custom packaging too late to arrive in time. Underestimating packing labour for the peak days. Promising unrealistic delivery times. Not synchronising online and in-store stock. Forgetting click-and-collect capacity. Measuring product stock but not packaging stock. Failing to record what went wrong for next time.
Printable EOFY Sale Readiness Checklist
Promotion: offer confirmed, terms written, dates checked, discounts tested, exclusions listed.
Inventory: stock counted, forecast completed, incoming deliveries confirmed, channel allocations confirmed.
Website: landing page tested, mobile checkout tested, product data checked, payment methods tested.
Packaging: carry bags counted, mailing boxes counted, mailers counted, tissue paper counted, correct sizes tested, reorder placed.
Fulfilment: staff roster confirmed, packing instructions prepared, courier collections confirmed, dispatch estimates updated, click-and-collect area prepared.
Customer support: FAQ updated, delivery templates prepared, returns process confirmed, escalation process assigned.
Post-sale: reporting plan prepared, returns monitored, packaging usage recorded, customer follow-up prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EOFY sale? An EOFY sale is a promotional discount period run by Australian retailers and ecommerce businesses around the end of the financial year on 30 June, often used to clear stock and attract customers ahead of the new financial year.
When should a business begin preparing for EOFY? Most businesses should start four to eight weeks before launch, particularly if custom-printed packaging or significant stock top-ups are involved, since production and delivery both take time.
How do I forecast demand for an EOFY sale? Use your own historical sales data from previous promotions rather than general estimates. Multiply expected sale orders by average items per order, then compare this against current and incoming stock.
How much packaging should I order for a major sale? Multiply expected sale orders by the average packaging units used per order, then add a reasonable allowance for returns, multi-item orders and existing stock, rather than applying an arbitrary buffer.
What type of bag is best for click-and-collect orders? A handled paper bag with a clear order-identification label works well, paired with dedicated shelving so collected orders are not confused with store stock.
Should I order custom-printed packaging for an EOFY sale? Only if you can order early enough to allow for production time. Custom-printed products generally take longer than stock items, so this needs to be planned well before the sale rather than added at the last minute.
How can I brand EOFY packaging without wasting leftover stock? Use permanent branding on the bag itself with a removable sticker or insert for the promotion, rather than printing sale-specific dates onto a large quantity of packaging.
What should be included in an ecommerce parcel? This depends on the product, but commonly includes the item, protective wrap or tissue paper as needed, and a packing slip. Check current product specifications for the packaging option you choose.
Can businesses claim packaging purchases before EOFY? Packaging is generally treated as a business consumable expense rather than a depreciable asset, but tax treatment depends on individual circumstances. Speak with your accountant or check current ATO guidance for anything specific to your business.