Glossary/Retail Media & Commerce/Pre-Order
Retail Media & Commerce
Pre-Order
Letting customers buy a product before it is in stock or released, securing demand and cash ahead of fulfillment.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
A pre-order lets customers buy a product before it is in stock or officially released. The order is fulfilled once inventory arrives or the launch date passes. Brands use pre-orders to gauge and secure demand, collect cash ahead of fulfillment, plan production more accurately, and build momentum around a new product launch.