7 stock management tips for a supermarket or grocery in Sri Lanka

Stock is cash sitting on shelves. These habits keep it moving.

1. Count what you have, regularly

Do a short count of fast sellers weekly and a full count monthly. Compare with the system and find the differences early.

2. Set a minimum level for every fast seller

Rice, sugar, milk powder, bread. When stock reaches the minimum, the system should tell you to reorder.

3. Know your slow sellers

Sort products by units sold in the last 90 days. The bottom of that list is your dead stock. Discount it or stop buying it.

4. Cost by batch

Supplier prices move. Costing by batch (FIFO) keeps your margin honest when you buy the same item at different prices.

5. Scan, do not type

Use the barcodes already printed on products. It is faster and removes spelling mistakes that create duplicate products.

6. Track stock by branch

If you have more than one shop, move stock between branches with a transfer, so each branch shows the truth.

7. Look at the numbers weekly

Spend ten minutes a week on the profit and stock reports. Small problems are cheap to fix.