Inventory management for small shops: a simple system that works

You do not need a warehouse team to keep stock under control. Five habits are enough.

1. Every item has a code

Use the barcode on the pack, or print your own price labels. Scanning removes typing mistakes at the counter.

2. Buy by speed, not by feeling

Reorder suggestions look at how fast each item sells and how many days of stock you have, then propose quantities per supplier.

3. Count a little, often

Instead of one painful yearly count, count a few fast-moving items every week. Blind counts (counters don't see the expected number) give honest results.

4. Watch the differences

After a count, see which items are short and their value. Repeated shortages on the same items point to a process problem — or theft.

5. Move dead stock

A stock-value report by category shows items that have not sold for weeks. Put them on offer before they expire or go out of fashion.

Biznso does all five: barcodes and labels, reorder suggestions, blind stock counts with approval, shortage values and stock-value reports — on the web and on your phone.