Keeping Stock Of Your Stock Checks

October 31, 2017

Whether you have a traditional bricks-and-mortar store or you run an ecommerce business, you will have to carry out regular stock checks. These might seem like trivial checks – you may even consider yours a chore – but they are really important to ensure that all of your stock is up to date and hasn’t gone past its sell-by date. It also ensures that you never run out of any stock and that you can continually sell your wares to customers.
No matter the size of your business, you will probably struggle at some point or another to carry out a stock check. This is usually because you go through a busy period and can’t spare the staff to carry out these checks. But to help you keep up with your stock checks, you just need to optimise your inventory and streamline your checks. Here are some ways you can do just that.
Use Technology
Sure, you could stick to the traditional pen-and-paper method to check your stock, but that will take quite a long time. It’s a good idea to use all of the various technological devices that are now available to help you check your inventory. For instance, you might want to download some inventory management software to your computer. Most of these software and programs offer stock-counting features and will alert you whenever you are running low on a particular product.
Check All Stock That Is Delivered
It’s necessary to do a quick check of any delivered stock once it arrives. Ideally, you should carry this out with the delivery man so that he can report any queries or missed items back to his depot. It is thought that
Get Your Inventory Reviewed
Did you know that there are now companies who can review your inventories and stock check methods for you? A supply chain consultant can often help you with this, as many will help you calculate your optimum levels of stock. They will also help you figure out how you can create a reduced inventory that can also stand up to your customers’ demands.
Remember Stock Rotation
If you sell perishable food or drink items, it is paramount that you rotate your stock regularly and have those items that are closest to their due date at the front of your inventory and in-store displays. As you should already know, selling any items that are past their sell-by or use-by date is illegal, and if you do so, you could be slapped with a large fine! So, make sure that all of your employees are well aware that they need to rotate all the stock regularly.
Improving your inventory and stock check methods will really help make your business a lot more efficient. These tips can help you get there!

Mark Asquith

That British podcast guy, Mark is co-founder of Captivate.fm, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host. A Harvard, TEDx, Podcast Movement and Podfest speaker (amongst many more!), he's a wildly approachable Brit and Star Wars/DC Comics geek.

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