Point S UK is urging independent tyre retailers to adopt flexible inventory practices after new trade data showed stockpiling at a nine-year low. Drawing on intelligence from its 6,100-site global network, the group says tariff uncertainty, post-Brexit duties and shipping delays are making rigid stock commitments risky for smaller dealers across the UK market.
Recent Point S data indicates overall tyre stockpiles are at their lowest since 2016. The drop mirrors wider trends; Chinese tyre export volumes jumped in early 2025, yet UK warehouses remain lean as retailers wait out price swings.
“We’re seeing manufacturers and dealers shift from bulk orders to demand-driven replenishment,” said Ali Yilmaz, Managing Director, Point S Tyre & Autocare. “Flexible inventory thinking protects cash flow when costs can jump overnight.”
The advice echoes Point S successes elsewhere: Cleevely Motors’ membership boosted tyre turnover by 30%, achieved through agile restocking instead of large warehouses.
Inventory experts note that predicting commodity-driven price curves is near-impossible in 2025. “This market rewards partnership, not speculation,” Yilmaz added. “Dealers who keep flexible inventory levels can react faster than competitors locked into last quarter’s prices. It’s about resilience, not fortune-telling.”
With WTO analysts warning further tariff rounds could cut trade volumes another half-point, Point S expects flexible inventory to remain best practice for UK independents through at least Q4 2025.
Tagged: flexible inventory, tyre stock, independent retailers, Point S, supply chain, tariff uncertainty, stockpiling, inventory management, tyre market volatility, UK tyre trade, agile procurement
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
Sign up for our weekly briefing on key developments across the sector.
