Identify where you lose products
Losses usually come from four places: damaged or expired products, counting errors, unrecorded sales and theft or misplacement.
For one month, write down every time something leaves inventory without being sold. That log shows the real problem.
Count regularly
Do a physical count of your best sellers every week and of the rest every month. Compare what you counted with your records.
If the gap is large, review recent movements to find the cause.
Rotate stock in order
Use first in, first out. Put the oldest items or those expiring first at the front so they sell in time.
- Label items with the date received
- Separate items close to expiring
- Offer discounts before it is too late
- Store fragile products protected
Record every movement
Every sale, gift, sample or return must be written down. A digital catalog with up-to-date stock prevents selling what you no longer have and shows what is missing.
Assign responsibilities
If more than one person handles inventory, define who records, who delivers and who reviews. When everyone is responsible, nobody is.
Controlling shrinkage does not need complicated systems: it needs consistency, order and records.
This week, count your five best sellers and compare them with your records.