FLOW

Forward-Looking Order Workflow (FLOW) is Amazon’s inventory planning system that allows vendors to prepare for demand spikes by issuing purchase orders in advance. These orders come with:

• A defined future shipping window, often several weeks ahead
• Product selections based on sales velocity, seasonality, or forecasted demand
• Greater planning flexibility for vendors to manage production and logistics
• Enhanced in-stock rates during key periods like Q4 or Prime Day

FLOW is typically used for:

• Best sellers or high-velocity ASINs
• Seasonal items with expected future demand
• Event-based replenishments (e.g., Back to School, Black Friday)

💡 Example: Amazon may issue a FLOW PO in July for delivery in October to ensure inventory readiness for Q4 peak sales.

In short:
FLOW is Amazon’s predictive order process that gives vendors advanced notice to ship top-performing products during a future shipping window - helping maintain high availability during peak demand.