What is a critical factor when determining the quantity of merchandise to order?

Accurate stock projections are essential for determining the quantity of merchandise to order because they involve analyzing data and forecasting future sales based on various influencing factors, including historical sales patterns, market trends, and economic conditions. This method allows for more precise inventory management, which helps avoid overstocking or stockouts, optimizing the availability of products that customers want to purchase.

In contrast, while customer feedback, popularity of past product lines, and seasonal trends also provide valuable insights, they generally serve as supplements to the main input of accurate stock projections. Stock projections integrate multiple aspects of data and provide a comprehensive framework for making informed ordering decisions, ensuring that the business aligns supply with anticipated customer demand seamlessly.