Cheeky Panda Wipes Out Inventory Risks with Netstock

Their operations span the UK and Europe, supported by outsourced warehouses in the UK and Belgium. With a strong focus on sustainability, their supply chain is anchored in China, where bamboo is sourced and converted into finished goods before being shipped to the UK.

The challenge

As Cheeky Panda’s operations grew more complex, so did their supply chain challenges. Despite managing a relatively modest SKU range of 40–60 products, the company faced mounting pressure in demand and supply planning.

“We experienced a serious out-of-stock situation, which triggered our search for a better planning system,” says Jay Chen, Operations Manager at The Cheeky Panda.

Global disruptions such as COVID-19 and the Red Sea shipping crisis further impacted the company, leading to extended lead times, rising freight costs, and increased stock-outs. It became clear that a more robust, data-driven inventory management system was essential to maintaining service levels and supporting continued growth.

Prior to adopting Netstock, the team relied on Excel-based models to manage inventory and forecasting, while functional, proved cumbersome and inefficient:

• Data had to be updated manually each day.
• Reports weren’t instantly accessible to stakeholders.
• Forecast accuracy was limited.
• Only basic functionality was achievable in Excel.

The solution

Cheeky Panda implemented Netstock in 2021. Jay discovered Netstock online and quickly aligned with senior management, who were also reviewing Netstock. “We didn’t even compare other solutions. The price was good, and the product clearly addressed our needs,” says Jay.

Netstock was integrated with Cheeky Panda’s NetSuite ERP, giving the team a connected, seamless planning environment that both internal teams and external logistics providers could access.

The results

Since implementing Netstock, Cheeky Panda has seen significant improvements in inventory management and demand planning:

• Wiped out Stock-outs and maintained a 99% fill rate
  Even with a three-month lead time from China, levels are well-managed while achieving good stock turns. “Our fill rate is 99% – we rarely disappoint customers. Netstock facilitates the decisions that drive that success. The data is highly visible, easy to use, and updated daily,” says David Carter, COO.
• Visibility that doesn’t get flushed away
  Jay’s favorite feature is the Netstock Classification. The team no longer needs to rely on manual spreadsheet updates; data is instantly visible to all stakeholders.
  “Our SKUs are low in value but high in volume, and Netstock considers both in their classification matrix, which gives us exactly what we need to plan inventory effectively, daily.”

Smarter stock turns with no spreadsheet scramble

Cheeky Panda can plan ahead and react quickly to demand trends. Even when new products are introduced, which tend to require initial overstocking, the team maintains strong inventory health, without clogging their supply chain with excess stock.

AI insights that don’t go down the drain

David relies on Netstock’s AI tool, the Opportunity Engine, weekly to pinpoint anomalies and stay aligned with business goals and objectives. The Opportunity Engine™ uses AI to analyze inventory data across locations, prompting real-time actions to prevent stock-outs, reduce excess, and avoid lost sales. Users can vote on suggestions, helping the engine learn and tailor future recommendations.

Netstock and Cheeky Panda make a bamboo-tiful match

• Seamless ERP integration: Netstock is fully integrated with NetSuite and is used across the business.
• Scalability: Supports growth across multiple channels and geographic markets.
• Ease of use: User-friendly interface and intuitive analytics make it easy for teams to adopt and rely on.
• Strategic stock management: Enables careful control of inventory, especially critical given their high-volume, low-value product profile.

Rolling smoothly into the future

With Netstock powering its planning processes, Cheeky Panda is well-positioned to continue expanding in the UK and across Europe optimizing operations. Even as challenges such as tariffs and global logistics remain fluid, they’re equipped to avoid inventory wipeouts and deliver on their promise, sustainably and reliably.

“Netstock helps us plan better, stay in stock, and avoid costly errors. It’s been a game-changer for us.” David concludes.