Managing inventory is a daily responsibility, packed with numerous details to handle. Especially when the number and variety of your products increase, optimizing your inventory properly becomes vital for keeping your eCommerce business running smoothly. Unexpected customer demand, stock issues, and global events may result in problems in your inventory. That’s why today’s topic is inventory replenishment in eCommerce. 📦✨ Let's start from scratch and revisit all the details: what inventory replenishment is, the most effective methods to manage it, the importance of choosing the right tool for it and so much more!  🚀

What is Inventory Replenishment?

Inventory replenishment actually represents an inventory flow where the right product is ordered, received, and delivered to the customer at the right time. Shopify defines inventory replenishment as the process of maintaining a business’s stock levels. The goal of inventory replenishment is to ensure that you have enough inventory on hand to meet customer demand and avoid out of stock and overstock.

Inventory replenishment also involves tracking and analyzing sales trends and supplier capabilities to determine how often you should restock. Effective inventory replenishment strategies help you maintain an efficient supply chain, minimize costs, and meet customer demand on time. To manage the inventory replenishment process smoothly, there are some methods to apply, let’s discover together.

Methods of Inventory Replenishment in eCommerce

Inventory replenishment is a process, and it operates like a flow that we want to progress seamlessly. To achieve this, there are four essential inventory replenishment methods in eCommerce: the Top-off Method, Periodic Method, Reorder Point Method, and On-demand Method. Each method has advantages and challenges, applicable to different business models and market dynamics. Let's explore these methods in detail and uncover their practical applications in the eCommerce world.

1️⃣ Top-off Method

The top-off method is mostly used by retailers and distributors. Essentially, it means restocking shelves during slower periods to make sure that there's always enough stock of popular items available to fulfill orders when demand suddenly rises. If your products are in high demand and you have a high inventory turnover ratio, the top-off method may make sense.

2️⃣ Periodic Method

With this method, companies check their stock levels regularly to see if they need to refill certain items. It's commonly used by companies with large warehouses with predictable customer demand, and low chances of running out of stock. However, one downside is that they only check stock levels at specific times, so they might not know if they're running low on a product between those checks. If demand spikes suddenly, they might not realize a product is running low until it's too late to restock.

3️⃣ Reorder Point Method

With the reorder point method, restocking happens when the quantity of a product goes below a certain level called the reorder point. The aim is to order more stock before it runs out completely, ensuring there's always enough on hand. The reorder point is different for each item, based on factors like expected demand, delivery time, and desired safety stock. Since the safety stock is the additional inventory that protects against situations like unexpected increases in demand or supply issues, it plays a vital role in the reorder point method.

4️⃣ On-demand Method

This method bases inventory replenishment on anticipated customer demand. With this approach, you only order enough inventory to meet projected demand and maintain a safety stock. With accurate demand forecasting, this inventory replenishment method can be particularly efficient and cost-effective.

Why is Inventory Replenishment Important in eCommerce?

Choosing the right inventory replenishment method is crucial for eCommerce businesses because it directly impacts operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability. On the other hand, choosing the wrong inventory replenishment method can result in various negative consequences, including overstocking, stockouts, increased holding costs, and customer dissatisfaction. It's essential for businesses to carefully assess their products, demand patterns, and operational capabilities to select the most suitable method for their inventory management needs.

Did you know that between 70-90% of stockouts are caused by poor stock replenishment? Why? Because a functional & successful inventory replenishment comes with a lot of benefits. What are those? We can categorize these key benefits under three main headings.

🛒 Less Out of Stock & Overstock Issues

With optimized inventory processes and timely restocking, you ensure you always have the right products in stock, avoiding both stockouts and excess inventory.

• The eCommerce industry is always changing, and unexpected events can sometimes lead to stockouts, even if you've chosen the right replenishment method or done demand forecasting. But that's okay! With an efficient inventory management tool, you can keep selling by accepting backorder.

😊 Improved Customer Satisfaction

When customers find what they need when they need it, they're happier. A well-managed inventory replenishment system ensures consistent availability, leading to satisfied customers.

💰Lower Costs & More Profit

Efficient inventory replenishment leads to lower shipping costs and helps in negotiating better agreements with suppliers. It saves money by reducing the need for rush orders and emergency restocking.

Inventory replenishment is really important, yes, but what should you consider when selecting an inventory management software for replenishment? 🤔

What to Look for When Choosing Software for Inventory Replenishment in eCommerce?

In 2024, global eCommerce sales are expected to grow 10.1% year on year, while in-store sales are expected to grow only 2%. Since the eCommerce world is expanding and the number of eCommerce stores is increasing every day, choosing the right software for inventory replenishment is crucial for maintaining optimal inventory levels and meeting customer demand effectively. Here are key factors to consider:

🔮 Forecasting Methods‍

Ensure the software offers various forecasting methods to predict demand accurately. Look for features such as trend analysis, seasonality adjustments, and demand segmentation to tailor forecasts to your specific products and market dynamics.The software should offer forecasting methods suitable for both seasonal and non-seasonal products, adapting to changing customer demand and market trends to ensure accurate predictions.

🔄 Optimized Accuracy‍

Choose software that prioritizes accuracy in inventory forecasting and replenishment recommendations. Look for algorithms that leverage historical sales data, market trends, and external factors to generate reliable forecasts and minimize the risk of stockouts or overstocking.

📈 Intuitive Analytics‍

Select an inventory tool with intuitive analytics capabilities that provide actionable insights into inventory performance and replenishment strategies. Look for features such as customizable dashboards, drill-down reports, and real-time data visualization to monitor key metrics, identify trends, and make informed decisions about inventory management.

How about Excel? Can it be used for an efficient inventory replenishment?

Excel for Inventory Replenishment in eCommerce

Utilizing Excel for inventory management means using Microsoft Excel for the process of ordering, receiving, and delivering the correct product to the customer at the appropriate time, ensuring a smooth flow of inventory. While Excel provides a structured system for tracking stock levels, sales data, and other metrics, it has limitations compared to specialized inventory management software like Fabrikatör. Excel is cost-effective and readily accessible, making it a popular choice, especially for startups. However, as businesses grow and their inventory management needs become more complex, Excel may no longer be enough. Here are some reasons:

• Limited Automation: Excel lacks automated features, requiring manual data entry and calculations, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. ⏳
• Scalability Issues: As businesses grow, managing large datasets in Excel causes performance issues and difficulties in handling complex inventory management tasks. 📈
• Lack of Integration: Excel operates as a standalone tool and doesn't integrate seamlessly with other systems like an inventory management tool, making it challenging to synchronize data with accounting software, order management systems, or supplier databases. 🔄
• Limited Collaboration: Excel files being stored locally restrict real-time collaboration among team members, limiting communication and coordination in inventory replenishment tasks. This limitation can lead to potential failure of replenishment efforts. 🤝
• Inadequate Analysis: While Excel offers basic data analysis capabilities, it may lack advanced forecasting and optimization tools required for effective inventory replenishment, leading to inadequate decision-making and inventory management. 📊

📌 On the other hand, specialized inventory management software like Fabrikatör offers real-time tracking, low stock alerts, purchase order tracking, automated stock replenishment, advanced analytics, and customizable reports. Transitioning from Excel to specialized inventory management software may seem challenging but is essential for efficiency and growth but the process is manageable with thorough planning and training, leading to enhanced efficiency and growth.

Automate your Replenishment Process with Fabrikatör!

Aren't you tired of keeping track of stock and creating purchase orders last minute? With Fabrikatör, you have the fully automatized tool at your service to streamline your inventory management process and optimize your replenishment efforts. 🌟

With Fabrikatör, you can:

🔄 Automate stock replenishment for your business, especially if you use Shopify.

📊 Set replenishment rules based on supply metrics like lead time, stock coverage, and supplier details.

🛒 Convert Fabrikatör’s recommendations into purchase orders with a single click.

⏰ Order the right quantities at the right time, reducing the risk of stockouts and increasing product availability.

📦 Utilize backorder automation, allowing businesses to continue selling products even when out of stock.

You can now benefit from so many features in Fabrikatör that make inventory management a breeze! 🚀 Don't waste time and book a demo now!