Firstly today, I'd like to remind all our marvellous dealer readers that the nomination period for our Dealer Of The Year competition is in full swing.

If you haven't entered yet, you still have a few more weeks to do so - but don't leave it so long that you forget about it and miss out on your chance of recognition! Get thinking which categories are right for your dealership and your team members - or indeed for the first time this year, your best customer!

If you've entered in years past, there's nothing stopping you from joining in again this year - and if you've never thrown your company's hat in the ring before, make this edition of the competition the one where you do! We've spoken a lot before about the value of being a finalist or of winning a prestigious industry award. For me, what really stands out from the benefits is the instant PR story you have to shout about to your local press and via your own social media channels. On top of this, there's the undeniable morale boost that comes from independent acknowledgment that what your dealership and staff have been doing, is worthy of an honour. In a tough season, that could be a real fillip. 

Winter stocking

Talking of tough seasons, there was a topic related to this that I heard several dealers discussing with some concern at GroundsFest recently. Also in the upcoming edition of Service Dealer magazine that we're putting the finishing touches to, a couple of dealers we hear from mention the subject. And that's winter stocking.

Always a balancing act, but 2025's pre-season ordering period sounds to present an ever more complicated picture. The recurring theme that we are hearing is that many dealerships already have too much stock on hand, and the thought of committing to further winter orders feels daunting to say the least.

You can read what the dealers we've heard from say in full when you receive the mag, but essentially one dealer we speak to believes that as manufacturers begin to look for winter stock orders, those yearly plans are clearly dictated somewhat by the weather. Tying to anticipate that has always been a gamble, they say, but in recent years, it feels even more so. They feel that the only real certainty is uncertainty. "So, all we can do is prepare the best we can and adapt to whatever comes our way," they tell us.

The other dealer we hear from believes that this year the supply network will understand the realities facing dealers, particularly in light of this stock carry-over from the current year. They say that suppliers will adapt pre-season ordering demands to work in partnership with their dealer networks. I'm sure many reading this today certainly hope this will be the case.

But what are your feelings regarding this year's winter stocking period? How are you approaching it?  Are you committing to stock in the usual way, reigning back, or holding off completely?

Also, I suppose the key question is are you finding your suppliers flexible on ordering terms? If you want to do this differently this year, can you?

Please leave your comments below on the subject as we're most interested to hear how the network is feeling. Or, as ever, if you'd prefer any opinions to remain anonymous, please drop me a line in confidence.

Thanks for your feedback. It's always appreciated.