Wholesale Skincare Launch Checklist for Estheticians

If you’re preparing to stock professional lines or launch a private-label offering, this wholesale skincare launch checklist for estheticians gives a focused, action-oriented roadmap from your first purchase order through the first client reorder. Use it as a one-page reference to keep launch tasks on schedule and margins intact.

Quick-read: wholesale skincare launch checklist for estheticians

This section is a compact, must-do list for busy estheticians who need clarity fast. It summarizes the essential steps — supplier onboarding, SKU selection, opening order quantities, packaging and UPC setup, tester strategy, merchandising, staff training, launch promos, and reorder triggers — so you can scan and act. Use this wholesale skincare ordering checklist for estheticians as a printable companion to the more detailed esthetician wholesale launch checklist below; it also works as a wholesale skincare launch checklist for salons and spas when you scale displays and service-based assortment decisions.

One-page checklist

Keep this printable checklist at your desk. It covers the practical items that move a launch forward without getting bogged down in detail.

• Confirm supplier terms, MOQs, lead times, and shipping cost estimates.
• Finalize SKU assortment and map each product to a service or retail zone.
• Calculate opening order quantities (use the OOQ calculator below).
• Request UPC/barcode setup and SKU numbers for private-label items.
• Assemble price sheets and do margin planning (cost, markup, retail price).
• Design tester/sample strategy and order testers for high-traffic displays.
• Create retail display plan and merchandising zones for upsell opportunities.
• Prepare staff training and one-page script cards for retail conversations.
• Schedule launch promos and first-30-day client communications.
• Set up reorder triggers and inventory alerts tied to usage and lead times.

Priority timeline

Turn the checklist into a clear timeline so tasks complete in the right order. Follow our step-by-step timeline from first PO to first client reorder for wholesale skincare to coordinate procurement, merchandising, and promotions so nothing bottlenecks the path to reorder.

1. Weeks 0–1: Supplier selection, contract review, confirm MOQs and lead times.
2. Weeks 1–2: Finalize SKU and tester selections; request UPCs/barcodes; prepare price sheet draft.
3. Weeks 2–4: Place first PO, set up incoming inventory space, receive and QC first shipment.
4. Weeks 3–5: Install retail displays, place testers, train staff with script cards and demo flows.
5. Week 6: Launch promos, client education, and sampling events; start tracking first retail sales.
6. Weeks 7–10: Monitor usage, sales velocity, and set reorder triggers based on lead time + safety stock.

Use the timeline above to align procurement, merchandising, and staffing so your first client reorder happens on schedule rather than by accident.

Quick calculators

This section includes a how to calculate opening order quantities by service mix (esthetician calculator) approach that keeps math simple and decision-ready.

• Opening Order Quantity (OOQ) by service mix: Estimate monthly service usage per product × 3 (for starting buffer) = OOQ. This accounts for treatment consumption and initial retail inventory. Example: facial oil used in 30 treatments/month × 3 = 90 units OOQ.
• MOQ vs OOQ check: If supplier MOQ > calculated OOQ, buy MOQ but stagger orders: use 25% for retail tester sets, 75% for backstock and promotions.
• Simple margin check: (Retail price – landed cost) / retail price = gross margin. Aim for at least 50% gross margin on retail items after freight and packaging.

These calculators pair well with a one-page price sheet template: list SKU, landed cost, suggested retail, margin, and reorder point. That table becomes your operational control panel during the first 90 days.

Operational details to track during launch

Beyond the quick checklist, track these operational items so nothing slips between the first PO and the first client reorder. They keep reorder timing predictable and protect margins.

• UPC/barcode setup and labeling: Confirm UPC assignment for each SKU and test scanning on your POS before the sales floor goes live.
• Tester strategy and sampling: Place testers near treatment rooms and by checkout; rotate testers based on sales velocity and seasonality.
• Inventory alerts and reorder triggers: Set automated alerts at your POS or inventory system tied to lead time plus a safety margin (e.g., lead time 21 days + safety 14 days = reorder at 35 days of buffer).
• Staff training and script cards: Provide 1-page scripts per product that include benefits, recommended usage, and upsell prompts for estheticians.

Also be sure to track opening order quantity (OOQ) planning & MOQ as a combined decision set rather than separate items. Implement a tester/sample program strategy and merchandising plan that prioritizes high-conversion SKUs and keeps testers clean and replenished. Finally, set up reorder automation, inventory alerts & reorder triggers so restocking happens before you run low.

Launch promo calendar and client follow-up

Plan promotions that drive trial and capture client reorder behavior. For example, tie a sample giveaway to a service or offer a bundled discount for first-time retail purchases. Schedule automated client follow-up messages at 7, 30, and 60 days to prompt reorder and gather feedback. Track which promo drove the first reorders so you can replicate the most effective offers.

Final checklist before placing first PO

Before you hit send on that first purchase order, confirm these items:

• All SKUs have UPCs and internal SKU IDs.
• Price sheet with landed costs and retail prices is finalized.
• OOQ calculations and MOQ gaps are reconciled.
• Tester inventory and retail displays are planned.
• Staff training and client scripts are scheduled.
• Reorder triggers and inventory alerts are set up in your POS.

Completing this final checklist drastically increases the odds that the first client reorder is timely and profitable.

Keep this checklist handy

Pin a printed copy or sticky note of this wholesale skincare launch checklist for estheticians at your point-of-sale and beside your inventory bins. Revisit your OOQ and reorder triggers after the first 90 days: real sales data will replace your early assumptions and make future ordering more accurate. Small adjustments—reducing OOQ for low-turn SKUs or increasing buffer for seasonal bestsellers—are normal and expected.