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What Tools Do Most Retail Stores Use to Track Inventory?

Oct 28, 2022

Traditional inventory management makes it difficult for a store to keep track inventory. Goods are removed from stock once paid for and checked out. Sales trigger a notification from the inventory system to the central warehouse, sending more merchandise to the retail location. A well-implemented inventory tracking system can boost profits significantly.

 

The barcode is a game-changer for commerce and one of the greatest inventions of all time. A barcode-based inventory system often only requires inventory management software and a barcode scanner. It tells retailers what's in stock and makes them aware of cross-selling strategies. State-of-the-art technology shows you where else you may get the product in the store, so you don't lose out. The ESL system allows stores to display product details on the shelves themselves.

 

Traditional inventory management makes it difficult for a store to keep track inventory. Contrary to an automated inventory tracking system.

 

Retail establishments implementing an automated accounting and inventory management system will find this process much less daunting. Goods are removed from stock once paid for and checked out. Sales trigger a notification from the inventory system to the central warehouse, sending more merchandise to the retail location.


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Inventory track system


What is an Inventory for Retail Store Owners?

The inventory of a retail business is an invaluable asset. Their entire day involves interacting with various items, materials, and goods. They have to replace their inventory periodically if they wish to keep operating.

 

Do Shops Maintain Inventories?

Without a doubt, shops maintain tabs on their inventory. Because of this, we can ensure that we never run out of anything we need. But without inventory management, businesses risk stockouts and inaccurate records. A store's finances will suffer if they don't keep a journal.

 

Advantages of Using Technology for Inventory Management

It's no exaggeration to say that a well-implemented inventory tracking system can boost profits significantly. A more precise understanding of stock levels, purchases, sales, costs, and profits is possible with better inventory management.


Due to the inability of electronic systems to forget about inventory or lose records, the correct inventory management technology will reduce your spending on inventory. Consequently, it would help if you didn't worry about out-of-date or unaccounted-for stock piling up on your shelves.

 

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Tracking inventory in retail stores


Which Tools Are Available for Tracking Inventory?

  • Point-of-Sale System

When a customer makes a purchase, they take possession of the item after making payment at the point of sale. Because of the increased simplicity with which stock levels can be monitored, a computerized point of sale allows for more excellent stock management.


The POS system keeps track of stock levels for all products offered by the company. Each sale will merely bring the total number of units in stock down by one. The stock count will be revised when the sale and liquidation occur. If the store is running low on an item, the user will be notified, and more will be ordered before they run out. The whole ordering procedure is simplified as a result of this.


  • Electronic Record

The point-of-sale system can generate printed inventory counts in case the user has to double-check the quantities by hand. In that manner, the manager may make sure that the recorded and actual stock levels are consistent by comparing the two.


If stock issues are detected quickly, the need for an expensive rush order can be avoided, resulting in significant cost savings.


  • Barcode Scanners

The barcode is a game-changer for commerce and one of the greatest inventions of all time. A barcode-based inventory system often only requires inventory management software (a stripped-down point-of-sale system) and a barcode scanner. As a result, the initial investment needed for such a system is relatively low. Utilizing the barcode scanner, it is possible to monitor incoming items. Before being scanned into the inventory system using a barcode scanner, products are checked by counting and tagging them with barcodes. After this, they are scanned in using the barcode scanner.


Whenever there is a sale, the items being purchased are scanned and checked out as they leave the warehouse or store, and the inventory management system is then updated accordingly. There is a multitude of organizations that cater to business owners of all sizes by providing barcode solutions that are easy to install.


  • ESLs (Electronic Shelf Labels)

Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are quickly becoming a popular and efficient method for stores to monitor and regulate their stock levels. The enhanced service level (ESL) is more than simply a flashy label—it contains valuable information for the purchasers. It tells the shopper how much inventory is currently available. This eliminates the requirement for the customer to approach a sales clerk for guidance. In addition, QR codes (Quick-response) are displayed on ESL to help consumers quickly and easily locate products online.


Customers may be treated to digital labels that are both eye-catching and informative if ESL is implemented. But to salespeople and business owners, it means far more. It tells them what's in stock and makes them aware of cross-selling strategies and any incentives for selling particular products. 


To sum up, state-of-the-art technology shows you where else you may get the product in the store, so you don't lose out on the bargain. The ESL system facilitates the display of product data on store shelves. This reduces the salesperson's ability to deal with clients. In a shoe store, for example, each shoe's size and stock levels are prominently displayed near the edge of the shelf. The associate would no longer need to go to the stockroom to see if the shoes were available. In a nutshell, they can stay by the customer's side the whole time.


The ESL system allows stores to display product details on the shelves themselves. The salesperson can more easily manage the store's clientele in this situation. When you go to a shoe store, for instance, you can see the sizes and quantities of each shoe right at the shelf's edge. The associate would no longer need to go to the stockroom to see if the shoes were available. They can stay by the consumer's side and not leave their side at any time.


Without a doubt, the inventory management benefits of ESL technology are not the only ones. With ESL technology, businesses and customers alike can enjoy significant time and money savings.

 

For example: MTag58

It has an effective viewing area of 99.4mm x 94.4mm and an additional size of 85mm x 64mm. There are three display color combinations available, and they are black and white, black and white red, and black and white yellow.


 

MTag58 introduction video


Conclusion:

Keeping tabs on the goods and products constantly being removed from your shelf can be challenging. Retailers use stock management software designed specifically for this purpose to keep tabs on their stock levels. Such as by setting inventory priorities, monitoring sales, and so on.