Inventory management is one of the most crucial components of running a successful business. Whether you’re just starting or have been in business for years, it is essential to manage your inventory efficiently to maintain a consistent cash flow. Having a sufficient supply of products and materials on hand can help ensure that you always meet customer demand; however, too much inventory can cost you money and resources. Therefore, it has become increasingly essential for businesses to understand how to cut inventory management expenses. Following are the most effective methods that a business can employ to reduce its inventory costs.
1. Use Inventory Management Software
Inventory management software can significantly reduce costs by automating the inventory management process, improving inventory tracking accuracy, reducing paperwork, generating audit reports, and automating the replenishment of supplies. By eliminating manual processes, inventory management software can help businesses save money on labour costs and accelerate inventory tracking.
Inventory Management Software also aids in the development of more effective forecasting and ordering systems by providing real-time data, which helps businesses reduce costs on unnecessary inventory purchases and streamline operations. The improved visibility offered by inventory management software also enables companies to respond quickly to market conditions, allowing them to stabilize their profits.
2. Reduce Excess Inventory
Unsold items in your inventory are an added expense for your business. Therefore, it is preferable to eliminate excess inventory as soon as possible. Returning excess products to the supplier is one way for companies to reduce their surplus stock effectively. Depending on the nature of their relationship with the supplier, they can receive a refund or be compensated in the subsequent round of orders. Another option is to liquidate the excess inventory by selling the products at a substantial discount to the market price. Liquidating may be unprofitable, but it will benefit the business in the long run by reducing the cost of managing excess inventory.
3. Just-In-Time Inventory
Just-In-Time (JIT) is a lean inventory strategy in which inventory is purchased, stored, and sold only when necessary. JIT makes inventory management more efficient and cost-effective by eliminating excess stock, extra storage space, and high stocking expenses. In addition, it improves the decision-making process based on current usage demands, thereby reducing overstocking and the associated costs. The objective of the JIT inventory system is to deliver goods to the customer on demand while maintaining the smallest possible inventory. JIT inventory also enables improved relationships with suppliers and enhanced customer service by allowing for a rapid response to fluctuating customer demand.
4. Set Reorder Points
Reorder points indicate when a business needs to replenish its stock to maintain the correct inventory level. Setting reorder points helps businesses manage their supply and demand, maintaining the desired balance between the customer demand and their surplus inventory. Setting reorder points can reduce the cost of inventory management by allowing businesses to purchase only the required amount of inventory when needed. This helps to avoid overstocking, reducing the amount of inventory a business needs to hold at any given time. Additionally, setting reorder points allows businesses to anticipate demand and plan better, resulting in fewer inventory shortages or surpluses.
5. Reduce Shipping Cost
Shipping costs are associated with inventory management because they are essential in deciding the costs associated with bringing inventory in and out of a warehouse. Shipping costs can be reduced by streamlining inventory management practices, such as tracking inventory levels to minimise stockouts, setting minimum order quantities to reduce excess inventory, and optimising efficient delivery methods. Properly managing inventory ensures that it is only purchased and shipped when necessary and that inventory is delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner.
6. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a method of order fulfilment in which businesses do not keep the products they sell in stock. When a store sells a product, it purchases it from a third party which ships it directly to the customer. Dropshipping eliminates the need for the business to handle inventory or manage warehousing costs, thereby significantly reducing inventory management costs. Additionally, the lack of inventory allows the store to expand its product offerings without taking up more physical space or managing additional inventory, which enables the business to keep its costs relatively low while providing customers access to a wide variety of products.
7. Optimise Order Management Process
Order management optimisation can significantly reduce inventory costs by enabling the businesses to accurately manage the flow of goods and maintain the appropriate inventory levels at all times. An effective order management system will assist you in determining the optimal time to order more products to prevent understocking and overstocking. Utilising software that automates your order management process is one of the most effective methods for optimising the order management process. The software will automatically replenish your inventory when it falls below a predetermined threshold. It will also assist you in gaining a better understanding of the costs associated with the products you sell, allowing you to determine which products to continue selling. Streamlining the ordering procedure can reduce costs by decreasing the amount of time and resources required to place orders.
8. Leverage Warehouse Management Systems
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) can help reduce inventory management costs by automating and streamlining your warehouse activities. Technologies such as RFID and automated picking systems provide efficient tracking capabilities and help to eliminate errors. Advanced warehouse technology can also reduce labour costs by automating many manual processes. By using a WMS, businesses can keep track of their inventory more accurately, reducing their stock levels and optimising their inventory levels. WMS reduces the cost of storage, as it can help businesses better plan their inventory and ensure that their storage space is being used efficiently.
