In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about surplus warehouses, surplus centers, and how Daguer Logistics helps eCommerce businesses maximize fulfillment efficiency through smart surplus storage strategies.
Few things are as daunting for an eCommerce business as having too much inventory on hand. Excess stock not only ties up capital but also adds unnecessary storage costs and risks obsolescence. One solution that many online retailers turn to is surplus warehousing. Whether you’re facing excess inventory due to overproduction, supply chain delays, or seasonal demand misjudgments, surplus warehouses offer a practical way to store bulk inventory efficiently.
A surplus warehouse is a dedicated storage facility used to house excess inventory. Unlike a fulfillment center, which ships goods directly to consumers, surplus warehouses primarily hold stock that is not yet ready to be sold or that is being stored in bulk. This setup is ideal for eCommerce businesses that:
• Buy inventory in large quantities to reduce manufacturing or shipping costs
• Experience slower sales cycles or seasonal demand spikes
• Need long-term storage solutions to avoid overfilling their primary warehouse
In many cases, these warehouses hold inventory on pallets or crates and may function as overflow facilities when fulfillment centers reach capacity.
While the terms can be confusing, it’s important to differentiate between surplus storage, surplus warehouses, and surplus centers:
• Surplus Storage/Warehouses: These are facilities used by businesses to store excess inventory. They are part of your supply chain logistics and are often run or managed by third-party logistics (3PL) providers like Daguer Logistics.
• Surplus Centers: These are retail outlets or wholesale distribution facilities that sell surplus inventory (usually from other businesses) at discounted rates. They may carry a wide range of consumer products including tools, furniture, electronics, and military gear.
Key Difference: Surplus warehouses help you store your goods. Surplus centers help you sell surplus inventory.
Many eCommerce companies discover the need for surplus storage due to:
1. Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) from manufacturers
2. Seasonal or fluctuating demand
3. Bulk purchasing discounts
4. Import and customs delays
5. Unexpected dips in consumer demand
A surplus warehouse gives you breathing room and the flexibility to hold extra stock without disrupting daily fulfillment operations.
Depending on the niche, you might find:
• Clothing and accessories
• Tools and hardware
• Electronics and appliances
• Furniture and décor
• Automotive parts
• Military surplus gear
• Agricultural and industrial equipment
If you’re searching for a surplus warehouse:
• Contact regional 3PLs like Daguer Logistics for recommendations
• Look for facilities with experience in your niche (e.g., temperature-controlled storage for cosmetics)
• Seek out warehouses near major ports or transport hubs for easier freight access
• Ask if they support freight volume shipments (common in surplus storage)
Daguer Logistics maintains a network of warehouses across North America, offering strategic locations to reduce shipping costs and optimize delivery times.
• Launch clearance sections with steep discounts
• Offer free or expedited shipping on surplus items
• Use personalized email campaigns to move stock
• Create dedicated "sale" landing pages on your site
• Expand keyword targeting for paid search and SEO
• Cross-promote products with partner stores
• Ask fulfillment centers like Daguer Logistics to optimize storage pricing
Pro Tip: Use both! Daguer Logistics helps you route bulk inventory to surplus storage and fulfill fast-selling items from optimized locations.
Absolutely. Accurate demand forecasting and data-driven purchasing reduce the risk of overstock. With Daguer Logistics, you can:
• Get real-time inventory tracking
• Automate restocking thresholds
• Analyze sales trends across SKUs and regions
• Integrate your ERP or eCommerce platform for full visibility
Our tech-forward WMS ensures your data is always accurate and accessible.
Yes, especially if you want to:
• Shorten delivery times
• Reduce shipping costs
• Avoid cross-country expedited freight
• Improve inventory availability across the U.S.
Daguer Logistics operates multiple fulfillment centers strategically located to serve key population hubs in the U.S. and Canada. We help you decide how to distribute your inventory effectively between surplus storage and active fulfillment hubs.
Buying from surplus centers can be smart if you:
• Need low-cost inventory to test product ideas
• Want to increase your product variety without raising costs
• Aim to offer budget options to customers during economic downturns
Use surplus centers to source unique or seasonal goods at a fraction of wholesale pricing, then store them with Daguer Logistics until you’re ready to fulfill orders.
1. o your research: Check prices, history, and seller credibility.
2. Inspect goods: Whenever possible, especially for refurbished items.
3. Watch availability: Ensure consistent stock to support ongoing sales.
Daguer Logistics makes surplus inventory management simple:
• Affordable storage options: For seasonal or overstock goods
• Smart SKU allocation: Ship only what you need to your primary warehouse
• Scalable solutions: From 100 to 10,000+ units
• Palletized freight support: For LTL and FTL shipments
• Inventory analytics: Know exactly what’s in storage and where
• Returns handling: Reintegrate unsold stock efficiently
We help eCommerce businesses unlock space, speed up sales, and optimize cash flow through efficient surplus and fulfillment operations.
Managing excess inventory doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a surplus warehouse and the right fulfillment partner, you can keep your operations lean while still being ready for demand surges. Daguer Logistics offers scalable, tech-forward solutions for storage, fulfillment, and inventory optimization.
Need to manage your surplus stock or explore eCommerce fulfillment options? Contact Daguer Logistics today.
A surplus warehouse is used to store excess inventory that doesn’t need immediate fulfillment, often in bulk quantities like pallets or crates.
It’s possible, but not ideal. Surplus warehouses are designed for long-term storage, not high-speed fulfillment. Use them to feed inventory into your fulfillment centers.
We offer storage, inventory management, pallet shipping, and integration with fulfillment centers. Our WMS helps you manage and track everything in real-time.
Yes! Surplus centers can offer high-quality goods at discounted rates, ideal for testing new products or meeting seasonal demand.
Use accurate demand forecasting, inventory alerts, and sell-through analysis to avoid over-ordering. Daguer Logistics’ tech makes this easier.
