Grab the complete holiday planning pack: demand forecast (simple/advanced), safety stock tab with service-level math, PO planner, and a weekly replan dashboard. Import CSVs into your tool or work directly in Google Sheets.
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You need Q4 forecasts yesterday. Not theory, not another article—actual working spreadsheets you can populate today.

Here's the thing: most "free templates" are either too simple (useless beyond 5 SKUs) or too complex (require a data science degree). What you need is something in the middle—robust enough to handle real catalog complexity, simple enough to use without training.

This download center gives you exactly that. Four templates covering demand forecasting (simple and advanced versions), safety stock calculations with service-level math, purchase order planning with receive windows, and weekly replan dashboards. All pre-built with formulas, ready to populate with your SKU data. Work directly in Google Sheets (recommended) or export CSVs to import into your ERP, Airtable, or custom system. No email capture, no gatekeeping—just click, duplicate, and start planning.

What's Inside:

What's Included in Each Template

Four templates, each serving a specific planning need. Use them standalone or together as a complete Q4 inventory system.

Template #1: Holiday Demand Forecast (Simple Version)

Best for: Catalogs with 5-50 SKUs, straightforward forecasting needs, teams new to demand planning

What it does: Takes baseline sales data, applies holiday uplift percentages and promotional multipliers, generates weekly demand projections for October through December. Includes basic safety stock calculation using simple lead time × average demand method.

Tab Name Purpose Key Inputs Key Outputs
Assumptions Set baseline data and parameters SKU list, baseline ADU, lead times, uplift % Master parameters for all calculations
SKU Forecast Weekly demand by SKU Promo dates, multipliers 13 weeks of projected units/SKU
Safety Stock Buffer calculations Lead time, service level (dropdown) Safety stock units, reorder points
PO Planner Purchase order schedule Current inventory, PO split preference 3 POs with quantities, dates, costs
Summary Dashboard view Auto-populated Total units, $, key metrics

Limitations: No variability modeling (uses fixed uplift %), basic safety stock (doesn't account for demand/lead time σ), manual promo entry, max 50 SKUs before performance degrades.

Download: Get Simple Template

Template #2: Holiday Demand Forecast (Advanced Version)

Best for: Catalogs with 50-200 SKUs, sophisticated demand patterns, teams comfortable with statistical forecasting

What it does: Everything the simple version does, plus: accounts for demand and lead time variability using standard deviations, calculates service-level-based safety stock (Z-score method), includes seasonality factors beyond simple uplift, supports scenario analysis (optimistic/pessimistic cases), handles complex promotional calendars with overlapping events.

Tab Name Purpose Key Inputs Key Outputs
Historical Data Import last year's actuals CSV upload or paste, daily/weekly sales Calculated ADU, σdemand per SKU
Assumptions Enhanced parameters SKU-level uplift, σdemand, σLT Master parameters with variability
SKU Forecast Weekly demand with variance Promo calendar, confidence intervals 13 weeks + pessimistic/optimistic ranges
Safety Stock (Service Level) Statistical buffer calculations Service level target (90-99%), σ inputs Optimal safety stock by SKU, total $
PO Planner Enhanced PO schedule Vendor constraints, payment terms 3-5 POs with cash flow projections
Scenario Analysis Sensitivity testing +/- % demand, +/- days lead time Impact on units, $, stockout risk
Dashboard Executive summary Auto-populated Visual charts, key metrics, alerts

Additional Features:

  • Pivot table for quick SKU segmentation (ABC analysis)
  • Conditional formatting highlighting stockout risks
  • Chart visualizations (demand curves, safety stock by SKU)
  • Export functionality for individual tabs or full workbook

Download: Get Advanced Template

Template #3: Weekly Replan Dashboard

Best for: Teams running weekly inventory reviews during peak season (Oct-Dec)

What it does: One-page dashboard for Monday replan meetings. Shows actuals vs. forecast variance, current inventory health, inbound PO status, vendor performance, and action log. Designed for speed—everything on one screen, no scrolling.

Section Metrics Tracked Update Frequency
Actuals vs. Forecast Last week's sales by SKU, variance %, trend indicator Weekly (Monday AM)
Inventory Health Current stock, days of supply, reorder alerts Real-time (synced to inventory system)
Inbound POs Expected receipts (next 14 days), delays, at-risk SKUs Weekly + daily for exceptions
Vendor Scorecard On-time %, fill rate %, quality %, communication score Weekly rolling
Action Log Decision, owner, due date, status Live during meeting

Usage Pattern: Update actuals Monday morning before meeting. Review dashboard live during 45-minute replan. Log decisions in Action Log. Export to PDF for week-over-week comparison.

For the complete weekly replan methodology, see our peak-season inventory management guide.

Download: Get Replan Dashboard

Template #4: Vendor SLA & Scorecard Pack

Best for: Teams needing formal vendor accountability and performance tracking

What it does: Three documents in one pack: (1) Vendor SLA Agreement template (Word/PDF), (2) Monthly Vendor Scorecard (Google Sheets), (3) Escalation Protocol (one-pager). Use these to formalize expectations, track performance, and escalate issues systematically.

Document Format Purpose
SLA Agreement Word/PDF (editable) Formal agreement outlining on-time %, lead time targets, quality standards, communication expectations, penalties/incentives
Vendor Scorecard Google Sheets Monthly tracking: on-time delivery %, lead time variance (σ), fill rate %, quality reject %, communication score, overall grade
Escalation Protocol PDF (one-pager) Decision tree for handling delays: 1-3 days late (action A), 4-6 days (action B), 7+ days (action C), roles/approvals

How to Use: Send SLA to vendors in August (before peak season). Track performance monthly using scorecard. Reference escalation protocol when issues arise. Review scorecard results with vendors quarterly to maintain accountability.

For implementation details, see our vendor management guide.

Download: Get SLA Pack

Pro Tip: Start with Template #1 (Simple) if you're new to demand forecasting. Once comfortable, graduate to Template #2 (Advanced) for better accuracy. Use Template #3 (Weekly Replan) regardless of which forecast template you choose—it's where planning becomes action.

How to Use (3-Step Quick Start)

Every template follows the same basic workflow. Here's how to go from download to actionable Q4 plan in under 2 hours.

Step 1: Download & Duplicate (5 minutes)

  1. Click download link for your chosen template (below)
  2. Google Sheets will open in view-only mode
  3. Click File → Make a Copy to create your editable version
  4. Rename: "Holiday Forecast 2025 - [Your Brand]"
  5. Share with team members (optional: set permissions to "Editor" or "Commenter")

Alternative: Export as Excel (.xlsx) via File → Download → Microsoft Excel if you prefer working offline or importing into your ERP.

Step 2: Populate Your Data (45-90 minutes)

For Demand Forecast Templates:

  1. Assumptions Tab: Enter your SKU list, baseline average daily units (ADU) from Q4 2024, supplier lead times, target service levels (start with 95%).
  2. Historical Data Tab (Advanced only): Import last year's daily sales data. Template auto-calculates mean and standard deviation per SKU.
  3. SKU Forecast Tab: Review auto-calculated weekly demand. Adjust holiday uplift percentages if needed (defaults: Oct +25%, Nov +150%, Dec +80%). Add promotional events with date ranges and multipliers.
  4. Safety Stock Tab: Confirm service level targets. Review calculated safety stock and reorder points. Flag any SKUs with unusually high buffers (indicates high variability—investigate root cause).
  5. PO Planner Tab: Enter current inventory levels. Select PO split preference (2, 3, or 4 orders). Review generated PO schedule: order dates, receive dates, quantities, costs.

For Weekly Replan Dashboard:

  1. Link to Data Sources: Connect to your inventory system (manual paste or API if using Google Sheets integrations).
  2. Set Baseline: Import your Week 1 forecast as baseline for variance tracking.
  3. Update Actuals: Each Monday, paste last week's actual sales into the Actuals column.
  4. Review Alerts: Dashboard auto-highlights variances >15%, low stock alerts, delayed POs.
Data Quality Check: Before relying on forecasts, verify your baseline data is clean. Remove promotional spikes from baseline ADU (or you'll double-count uplift). Exclude outlier weeks (e.g., website crashes, viral moments). Use median ADU if your distribution is skewed by extreme values.

Step 3: Validate & Iterate (15-30 minutes)

  1. Sanity Check Totals: Does total Q4 demand align with your intuition and growth targets? If forecasting 50% growth but marketing only projects 20%, reconcile the gap.
  2. Review Peak Weeks: Check BFCM week demand. Does 3-5x baseline seem realistic based on last year? Adjust if needed.
  3. Test Scenarios: Use Scenario Analysis tab (Advanced template) or manually adjust demand +10% / -10%. How does it impact total investment? Can you absorb the variance?
  4. Share with Stakeholders: Walk through key metrics with ops, finance, and marketing. Confirm assumptions (e.g., "Marketing, you're planning BFCM to drive 2.5x baseline—does that match this forecast?").
  5. Lock & Load: Once validated, export PO Planner tab as PDF. Send to vendors with clear "order by" deadlines.

For a worked example showing every cell populated, see our Holiday Sales Forecast Example article.

🎯 Want Pre-Filled Examples + Video Walkthroughs?

These templates are powerful but learning curves exist. Our Holiday Inventory Toolkit (2025 Edition) includes everything here PLUS:

  • ✓ Pre-filled example templates with real SKU data you can model from
  • ✓ 6 video modules (90 minutes) walking through every tab, formula, and decision point
  • ✓ 40+ email/SMS swipe files for waitlists and preorders
  • ✓ Vendor SLA negotiation scripts
  • ✓ Lifetime updates as we improve templates
Get Complete Toolkit – $19

Instant access. Pay once, use forever. No subscriptions.

Simple vs. Advanced: Which Template to Use

Choosing between simple and advanced versions depends on three factors: catalog size, demand predictability, and team sophistication. Here's the decision framework.

Use Simple Template If:

  • Catalog: 5-50 SKUs
  • Demand Patterns: Relatively stable, consistent week-to-week (low variability)
  • Forecasting Experience: First time building Q4 forecasts or limited statistical knowledge
  • Data Availability: Don't have historical standard deviations or detailed daily sales data
  • Use Case: Quick planning, directional estimates, small team/solo operator
  • Typical User: Small Shopify store, early-stage brand, side hustle scaling into Q4

What you'll sacrifice: Less accurate safety stock (doesn't account for variability), no scenario analysis, manual promo management, capped at 50 SKUs before formulas slow down.

Use Advanced Template If:

  • Catalog: 50-200 SKUs (or fewer if high complexity/variability)
  • Demand Patterns: Variable, promotional spikes, seasonal fluctuations
  • Forecasting Experience: Comfortable with statistical concepts (standard deviation, Z-scores, confidence intervals)
  • Data Availability: Have 1-2 years of daily sales history to calculate variability
  • Use Case: Sophisticated planning, investment decisions, multi-vendor coordination, board/investor reporting
  • Typical User: Mid-size ecommerce brand, retail chain, established marketplace seller

What you'll gain: Optimal safety stock levels (saves 10-25% inventory $), scenario testing, better stockout risk visibility, scales to 200 SKUs, professional-grade outputs.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Simple Template Advanced Template
Max SKUs (practical limit) 50 200
Safety Stock Method Lead time × ADU (basic) Service-level (Z-score, σ-based)
Demand Variability Not modeled Standard deviation per SKU
Lead Time Variability Not modeled Standard deviation per vendor
Scenario Analysis Manual (copy/paste tabs) Built-in (optimistic/pessimistic)
Historical Data Import Manual entry CSV paste + auto-calc σ
Promo Calendar Manual per-SKU entry Calendar view, overlapping events
Visualizations 1 summary chart 5+ charts (demand curves, ABC, etc.)
PO Planning 3 POs, basic splits 3-5 POs, cash flow projections
Export Options PDF, CSV by tab PDF, CSV, full workbook, pivot tables
Learning Curve 30 minutes 2-3 hours
Accuracy (vs. actuals) ±20-25% ±10-15%
Hybrid Approach: Start with Simple to understand the workflow and key concepts. After one season, migrate to Advanced when you have historical σ data and understand what you need. Many teams use Simple for tail SKUs (bottom 50%) and Advanced for hero/core SKUs (top 50%).

For a deep dive on safety stock methodology (the biggest difference between templates), see our Safety Stock Calculator guide.

Customization Guide

These templates are starting points, not straitjackets. Here's how to adapt them to your specific business.

Common Customizations

1. Change Forecast Horizon

Default: 13 weeks (Oct 1 - Dec 31). To extend or shorten:

  • Go to SKU Forecast tab
  • Insert/delete columns for weeks
  • Update week headers (dates auto-populate if using formula: =A2+7)
  • Adjust summary formulas in Dashboard tab to include new columns

2. Add/Remove SKUs

Both templates support adding rows:

  • Insert new row in Assumptions tab (SKU list section)
  • Copy formulas down from row above in all other tabs
  • Populate SKU-specific data (ADU, cost, lead time, etc.)
  • Conditional formatting and charts auto-adjust

3. Adjust Uplift Percentages by SKU

Default uplift is uniform across SKUs. To customize:

  • In Assumptions tab, add columns for Oct Uplift %, Nov Uplift %, Dec Uplift %
  • In SKU Forecast tab, replace formula references from $C$2 (fixed) to C2 (relative) so each SKU uses its own uplift
  • Example: Gift items get 200% December uplift; basics get 50%

4. Handle Multi-Warehouse/Multi-Location

Templates assume single warehouse. To adapt:

  • Option A: Duplicate entire template per location (e.g., "US West Forecast," "US East Forecast")
  • Option B: Add location column in SKU Forecast tab; split demand % by location; create location-specific PO tabs
  • Option C: Use Advanced template's pivot table feature to slice by location dimension

5. Integrate with Your ERP/Inventory System

Google Sheets supports:

  • IMPORTDATA(): Pull CSV files from URLs (if your ERP exports daily)
  • Apps Script: Connect to APIs (Shopify, WooCommerce, NetSuite, etc.) for real-time sync
  • Zapier/Make: Automate daily inventory updates from your system → Sheets
  • Manual: Export CSV from ERP → paste into template (simplest)

For most small teams, weekly manual CSV paste is sufficient during peak season.

Formula Reference (For Power Users)

Key formulas you might want to modify:

Weekly Demand Calculation:

=ADU * (1 + Uplift%) * PromoMultiplier * 7

Safety Stock (Simple):

=ADU * LeadTimeDays

Safety Stock (Advanced, Service Level):

=Z * SQRT((StdDevDemand^2 * AvgLeadTime) + (AvgDemand^2 * StdDevLeadTime^2))

Reorder Point:

=(ADU * LeadTime) + SafetyStock

PO Quantity:

=PeriodDemand + SafetyStock - CurrentInventory - InboundPOs

All formulas are unlocked. Modify with caution—break one cell, and you might break dependent calculations. Best practice: duplicate tab before editing formulas ("SKU Forecast BACKUP").

Troubleshooting: If formulas show #REF! errors after customization, you likely deleted a row/column that other cells reference. Use Ctrl+Z (undo) or check formula references. If stuck, re-download template and migrate your data carefully.

Versioning & Updates

These templates evolve based on user feedback and seasonal learnings. Here's our versioning system and update policy.

Current Version: 2.1 (October 2025)

What's New in 2.1:

  • Added Scenario Analysis tab to Advanced template
  • Improved Weekly Replan Dashboard with vendor scorecard integration
  • Fixed bug in PO Planner where split percentages didn't sum to 100%
  • Added conditional formatting for stockout risk alerts (red/yellow/green)
  • Enhanced mobile view for Dashboard tab (better phone/tablet usability)
  • Updated default holiday uplift percentages based on 2024 actuals (Nov +150% → +165%)

Previous Versions:

  • v2.0 (August 2025): Major overhaul—split Simple/Advanced versions, added service-level safety stock, rebuilt PO Planner logic
  • v1.5 (March 2025): Added Weekly Replan Dashboard, vendor scorecard pack
  • v1.0 (October 2024): Initial release—basic demand forecast + PO planner

How to Check Your Version

Open any template → look at top-left cell (A1) → version number displayed (e.g., "v2.1 - Oct 2025")

Update Policy

  • Free Templates: We update 1-2x per year (typically August pre-season and February post-mortem). Check this page for latest version. No automatic updates—manually download and migrate data if desired.
  • Paid Toolkit: Buyers receive lifetime updates via email when major versions release. Updates include migration guides ("How to move your data from v2.0 to v2.1").
Version Control Tip: Name your working copy with version number and date: "Holiday Forecast 2025 - v2.1 - [Your Brand] - Started Oct 1." When new version releases, you'll know which base you're working from and whether migration is worth the effort.

Feature Requests & Bug Reports

We improve these templates based on real-world usage. If you find bugs or have feature ideas:

  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with subject "Template Feedback: [Template Name]"
  • Include: version number, brief description, screenshots if helpful
  • We review all submissions; high-value features get added to roadmap

Recent user-requested features we've added:

  • Multi-vendor lead time tracking (now in v2.1 Advanced)
  • Cash flow projections in PO Planner (v2.0)
  • Mobile-friendly Weekly Replan view (v2.1)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these templates really free? What's the catch?
Yes, completely free with no email capture required. Just click, duplicate, and use. The "catch" is that these are simplified versions of the templates in our paid Toolkit ($19). The free versions lack pre-filled examples, video walkthroughs, and some advanced features. But they're fully functional for most teams. We give them away because they support our content hub—you learn forecasting, we earn credibility and occasional product sales. Win-win.
Can I use these templates for wholesale/B2B businesses?
Absolutely. The math is identical. Just adjust terminology (e.g., "daily units" → "weekly units" if B2B orders arrive weekly). For B2B with lumpy demand (large orders from few customers), you might need higher safety stock percentages since variability is greater. Also incorporate known customer POs into your forecast (e.g., if Customer A committed to 500 units in November, add that to baseline). Everything else works as-is.
How do I handle products with no sales history (new launches)?
Three approaches: (1) Benchmark against similar existing SKUs—if launching a new sweater style, use existing sweater ADU as proxy, then adjust down 20-40% for "newness penalty." (2) Use market research or pre-order data to estimate demand. (3) Start conservative (lower service level like 90%, smaller initial PO) and expedite if sell-through exceeds expectations. Templates support all three—just enter your best-guess ADU in Assumptions tab.
Can I import data from Shopify/WooCommerce/Amazon automatically?
Yes, but requires setup. Google Sheets supports Apps Script (JavaScript) to call APIs. You can write scripts to pull daily sales from Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon APIs and populate the Historical Data tab automatically. Alternatively, use Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat) to sync data on a schedule (e.g., daily at 6 AM). Simplest method: export CSV from your platform weekly and paste into template. Most small teams find manual weekly updates sufficient during peak season.
What if my forecast is way off after October actuals come in?
This is exactly why we recommend weekly replans and split POs. If October actuals exceed forecast by 15%+, immediately adjust November and December uplift percentages in the Assumptions tab. The forecast will recalculate. Then increase PO-002 and PO-003 quantities before placing orders. If you already placed orders, contact vendors to increase quantities (if lead time allows) or expedite additional inventory. Use the Scenario Analysis tab (Advanced) to model +20% demand impact on inventory needs.
Do these templates work with Excel or only Google Sheets?
Both. Templates are built in Google Sheets but export cleanly to Excel (.xlsx). Some features work better in Sheets (real-time collaboration, easier API integration, faster performance with 100+ SKUs). Excel advantages: offline access, more powerful pivot tables, integration with desktop ERP systems. Formulas are compatible across both platforms. Choose based on your team's workflow preference.
How do I share these with my team without them accidentally breaking formulas?
Google Sheets permissions: Share with "View" or "Comment" access for most team members. Grant "Edit" access only to ops/planning leads. Protect formula cells: Select cells with formulas → Data → Protected Sheets and Ranges → set permissions. Alternatively, create two versions: one "Master" with formulas (edit-restricted) and one "Input Only" where team only enters data in designated yellow/highlighted cells. Update Master weekly and share read-only outputs.
Can I sell or redistribute these templates to clients?
You may use these templates internally for your own business or share with clients as part of consulting services. However, you cannot resell the templates themselves as standalone products, claim them as your own creation, or distribute them publicly (e.g., on template marketplaces) without permission. If you're a consultant wanting to white-label, email us—we offer partnership arrangements. For personal/internal use, no restrictions.

All templates are hosted on Google Drive. Click the link, then File → Make a Copy to create your editable version. No signup, no email required.

Template Version Best For Download
Holiday Demand Forecast (Simple) v2.1 5-50 SKUs, first-time forecasters Get Simple Template
Holiday Demand Forecast (Advanced) v2.1 50-200 SKUs, statistical forecasting Get Advanced Template
Weekly Replan Dashboard v2.1 Weekly inventory reviews (Oct-Dec) Get Replan Dashboard
Vendor SLA & Scorecard Pack v2.0 Vendor accountability & tracking Get SLA Pack

Having Trouble? Links open in view-only mode. Make sure you're logged into a Google account, then click File → Make a Copy. If you don't have a Google account, download as Excel via File → Download → Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).

🎁 Want Everything + Training?

The free templates get you 80% of the way there. The Holiday Inventory Toolkit (2025 Edition) gets you 100%:

What You Get (Beyond Free Templates):

  • ✓ Pre-filled example templates with real SKU data you can model from
  • ✓ 6 video modules (90 minutes) explaining every formula, tab, and decision point
  • ✓ 40+ email/SMS swipe files for back-in-stock alerts and preorders
  • ✓ Vendor SLA negotiation scripts and email templates
  • ✓ Advanced forecasting techniques (seasonality decomposition, trend analysis)
  • ✓ Lifetime updates—new versions, new features, forever
  • ✓ Priority email support for template questions

Price: $19 (one-time payment, lifetime access)

Get Complete Toolkit – $19

Instant download. No subscriptions. 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.

Related Resources

These templates support a complete holiday inventory planning system. For context and implementation guidance:

Questions about templates? Need help customizing? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "Template Support" in the subject line.