Uniform management might not be the first thing on your mind when running a DSP, but with the average Amazon uniform costing over $100 per full set—and prices continuing to climb—every dollar saved makes a difference. Add in the high turnover rate of Delivery Associates (DAs), and suddenly, failing to track uniforms properly can become a costly mistake.
When I had a smaller budget for uniforms, I had to be strategic. I carefully calculated how many sets I could afford per size and gender, often ending up with too few and needing to reorder constantly. Managing stock was even more challenging with over 70 different uniform items required at any given time. Without a streamlined system, I found myself struggling to keep track of inventory, leading to wasted time, unnecessary spending, and a frustrating cycle of shortages and backorders.
That’s when we made a major change—we stopped ordering women’s uniform items altogether. That’s right, I do not order women’s uniforms. By eliminating those SKUs, I immediately reduced our inventory by 30 different products, simplifying stock management and cutting down on costs. Over the years, many of our female employees actually preferred wearing men’s uniforms, finding them a better fit. And since the designs looked nearly identical, this switch made sense without sacrificing professionalism or comfort.
Another key factor to consider is how often you're issuing uniforms. Since the average new hire doesn’t last more than 30 days (especially if they don’t fully understand the demands of the job), why hand out three or four full sets of uniforms right away? While we can’t force employees to return their uniforms when they leave, we can reduce how many we potentially lose by issuing uniforms in stages.
For full-time DAs, we provide one uniform set at a time, gradually issuing four total sets over four to five weeks. For part-time DAs, we issue two to three sets over the course of a month. This approach ensures that only employees who stay long-term receive multiple uniforms, reducing unnecessary losses and cutting costs.
But how do you track who has what—and how much you're supposed to get back? We once had an employee return seven uniform sets that he had acquired over five weeks! He admitted that he would simply ask whichever manager was on duty, and they’d give him another set—no questions asked. On the other hand, we’ve had employees who had been with us for over a month but only had one set because they didn’t realize they could request more.
That’s where DSP Administrator comes in. By implementing a uniform tracking system, you can stay on top of inventory, track who has received what, and ensure that uniforms are being distributed fairly and efficiently. A structured system prevents unnecessary losses, eliminates confusion, and helps you regain control over your uniform inventory—so your uniforms stop managing you.
Take Control of Your Uniform Inventory Today
If you’re tired of wasting money on lost uniforms and want a customized tracking system built for your DSP, let’s talk! DSP Administrator helps DSP owners streamline uniform management, track inventory, and cut costs. Schedule a consultation today and start saving!
