A Beginner’s Guide to 4 Common Inventory Management Problems

Although it may seem easy, inventory management with its several moving parts, in actuality, is quite challenging and time-consuming. The smallest changes can impact the margins to a great extent. The key is to realize what sort of problems may arise down the road and fabricate solutions to them beforehand.

Are you failing to manage your inventory properly even after closely monitoring the sales reports? Well, you are not alone. A large number of retailers do not notice the problems early, thus, end up with decreased efficiencies, which take a huge bite out of the profits. Check out the major ones among the lot below now.

Operational Incompetence

Your business is deemed competent only when the operating procedures are up to the mark. Many components are in place because you know how they are meant to be done. However, the problem with the overall operating procedure is that it was not planned or considered a part of the general strategy. It was more a reaction to a particular situation.

The experts offering the best inventory tracking RFID systems said to make the most out of your employees’ time and skills, you must revisit the operating procedures daily and look out for areas that need improvement. Also, remember every inch of the warehouse that is vacant increases your expenditures.

To overcome operational incompetence, you must think as well as plan tactically.

Obsolete Stock

Obsolete stock can drain your profits in ways unimaginable. It takes the space on the shelves, in the warehouse, and the employees’ time and effort to transport around. When there is no demand for an item, know that the item has completed its lifecycle. Get rid of it as soon as possible. Obsolete stock in the store shows how negligent were you regarding the customer demand and sales data.

Incomplete Picture

If you want to control the inventory, you must have profound knowledge about the supply chain, which comprises the vendor and the customer. You must be thoroughly acquainted with the real-time inventory phases to avoid irreversible problems like products going out of stock or backorders.

Do you know the amount of purchase orders, and when are they expected to reach the store? Do you know how much of a product makes to the shelves and how much is kept aside for emergencies? An incomplete picture will only hamper your reputation in the market.

Immense Competition

From the neighborhood rivals to the colossal stores, competition strains the supply chain. The vendor relationships, though still significant, has changed over time. It is no more about getting a product at the best price.

You must find the value behind working with the right vendor. When you end up with an amateur, you do not provide the correct products to the customers. Competition can contribute to the customer experience, so please pay attention to it.

According to the experts offering RFID solutions for warehouse, every business is unique and has its own fair share of challenges – starting from the geographical location to employee availability. If you know what problems your company may suffer from, you can keep them at bay seamlessly.