Build in Inventory Control

Done correctly, how you display items can also help you control and manage inventory.

• From the standpoint of control, the most ideal display would be one in which all of your inventory of a particular item would sit in a single stack of boxes on the floor or a shelf, with one item out for display on top of or next to the stack. This way, you could monitor your stock levels at a glance, without even having to consult the computer.

• Conversely, the worst possible situation is one in which your inventory of a particular item, such as a fin or mask, is in a location separate from the display. Imagine, if you will, that after a customer selects a particular fin, you have to walk to a different part of the store — out of sight of customers and vulnerable inventory — to pull a pair of fins from stock. Compounding this, due to space considerations, you have to keep an additional overstock of fins in yet another separate location. This leads to errors when counting inventory and comparing stock levels against what is listed in your POS system.

Needless to say, it’s not practical to keep all of your inventory on the sales floor. Some items (or their packaging) simply does not lend itself to being part of an eye-catching display. Others are simply too valuable (or prone to theft) to not be kept under lock and key. Still, whenever possible:

• Keep all of your stock of a particular item stored in one place.
• Stock your inventory as close to display items as possible.
• Avoid situations that would force you to leave the sales floor unattended while you pull inventory from stock.

Look around your store. Would some basic reorganization not only lead to more pleasing displays, but reduce the potential for theft and increase the accuracy of inventory counts?

Create responsibilities »

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