Something's Wrong with My Inventory? Here's How to Fix It

Common Inventory Issues and Solutions

Why is my inventory count not matching sales data?

Sarah's boutique lost $8,000 last quarter due to phantom stock - system showed 50 dresses available when warehouse was empty. This "inventory shrinkage" costs US retailers $61.7 billion annually (NRF 2024).

1. Run a cycle count: Audit 10-20% of high-value items weekly using barcode scanners
2. Check POS integration: Ensure sales automatically deduct inventory in real-time

Use inventory sync tools to connect Shopify/Amazon/Walmart feeds automatically.

How to fix inventory forecasting errors?

Mike's hardware store overordered 300 snowblowers after faulty predictions. 58% of SMBs still use spreadsheets for forecasting (Gartner 2023), leading to 23% excess stock on average.

1. Input 12 months of sales history into Forecastly
2. Set reorder points at 1.5x lead time demand
3. Enable low-stock alerts for SKUs with >20% sales variation

Proven inventory optimization techniques

After implementing ABC analysis, CosmeticsCo reduced carrying costs by 37% in 6 months. Top performers allocate:

1. A-items (70% value): Weekly tracking, safety stock
2. B-items (25% value): Monthly reviews
3. C-items (5% value): Quarterly audits

Try this free ABC calculator from our supply chain community.

5 Quick Inventory Health Checks

1. Compare last 3 inventory snapshots | 2. Test scan 10 random items | 3. Check 5 oldest SKUs for obsolescence | 4. Verify supplier lead times | 5. Audit return processing workflow

FAQ

Q: How often should I reconcile inventory?
A: Monthly full counts + weekly cycle counts (e.g., Mondays count all blue widgets)

Q: Best free inventory app for startups?
A: Zoho Inventory handles 50 SKUs free with barcode support

Take Control of Your Inventory Today

Now you suspect "something's wrong with my inventory," you've got actionable fixes. Start with one high-impact area and measure improvements in 30 days.