Here's how you can manage inventory obsolescence and reduce write-offs.
Inventory obsolescence is a challenge that can lead to significant financial write-offs, but with the right strategies, you can manage your stock effectively. Managing inventory obsolescence requires a proactive approach, including understanding the lifecycle of your products, monitoring inventory levels, and making informed decisions about purchasing and pricing. By staying ahead of the curve, you can minimize the impact of obsolete stock on your business's bottom line. The key is to balance having enough inventory to meet customer demand without overstocking items that may become obsolete before they are sold.
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Vijay RaghavanSenior Operations | Logistics & Supply Chain| 3PL | 4PL | E-Commerce Logistics | Pricing | Continuous Improvement |…
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Harvinder Singh✨🏅236 X Linkedin Top Voice 🏅✨|| 8% in Top Generative AI Voice || Top Artificial Intelligence (AI) Voice || 10% in…
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Sanjeev KumarProduction Planning Control Engineer @ SMPP Private Limited | Manufacturing and Defense Equipment
To mitigate inventory obsolescence, you must stay informed about market trends and consumer behavior. This means analyzing sales data regularly to identify which products are moving and which are not. By understanding what your customers want, you can adjust your inventory procurement accordingly. It's crucial to also keep an eye on industry shifts and technological advancements that may render certain items obsolete. By staying ahead of trends, you can phase out or promote products before they become a liability.
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Vijay Raghavan
Senior Operations | Logistics & Supply Chain| 3PL | 4PL | E-Commerce Logistics | Pricing | Continuous Improvement | Procurement | Sustainability | Inventory Management
Managing inventory obsolescence and reducing write-offs is essential for maintaining financial health and operational efficiency. Inventory obsolescence occurs when items become outdated, expired, or no longer valuable, often leading to costly write-offs. To minimize this risk, you can implement a series of best practices and strategies: 1. Accurate Inventory Forecasting 2. Regular Inventory Audits 3. First-In, First-Out (FIFO) Strategy 4. Sales and Promotions
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Sanjeev Kumar
Production Planning Control Engineer @ SMPP Private Limited | Manufacturing and Defense Equipment
Reorder Point - A trigger point to initiate purchase process A stock level that indicates need to purchase further fresh stock - is called Reorder Point. Basically when the Inventory Level reaches the Reorder point, a new PO should be placed to restock the material for further consumption. Reorder point is an important factor that affects the MRP.Well, it's an alarm that helps to place new PO. In the ERP system, when the stock level for any material reaches its Reorder point, an alert is issued to the Material Controller to raise a new PO asap. Without an accurate Reorder point, the purchase process may get delayed leading to production hamper by material shortage, or vice versa.
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Lakshmi Narayanan Lakshmanan
Senior Manager - Business Development, Flipkart | Ex GM, Samsung & Titan | SPJIMR, Mumbai
Many a time, we take big bets on seasonal inventory. Say for instance, liquid concentrates for the summer. We take huge quantities of stock, assuming healthy demand. But if the consumer preference has shifted to something else, then we'll be left with a pile of stock whose sell thru rate would drastically drop post the summers - leaving you with a lot of unsold inventory. Hence it's important to phase out buying in such a way that the risk is minimal. Keep observing trends and competition activity such that you can also match / replicate the market offerings.
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Shakeel Ur Rehman
Indus Home | X- Shafi Texcel | X- Nishat Chunian
To manage inventory obsolescence effectively and reduce write-offs, consider implementing these strategies: 1. Monitor inventory regularly. 2. Forecast demand accurately. 3. Implement dynamic pricing. 4. Negotiate flexible terms with suppliers. 5. Rotate products efficiently. 6. Diversify product offerings. 7. Utilize liquidation channels. 8. Use inventory optimization tools.
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Usman Ahmad
Supply Chain Manager | Inventory & Warehouse Operations Optimization Expert | Project Manager Specializing in SC | NUST'24
1. Sales Data Analysis: Regularly analyze sales data to identify trends in customer preferences and buying patterns. Spotting declines in demand for specific products can be an early warning sign of potential obsolescence. 2. Market Research: Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and potential disruptions that could impact customer demand for your products. 3. Customer Feedback: Actively solicit customer feedback through surveys, focus groups, or social media monitoring. Understanding customer preferences helps you adjust your inventory accordingly.
Accurate forecasting is vital for managing inventory obsolescence. Utilize historical sales data, market analysis, and seasonal fluctuations to predict future demand. Sophisticated inventory management systems can help you analyze this data and forecast more accurately. Remember, overestimating demand can lead to excess inventory that may become obsolete, while underestimating can result in stockouts and lost sales. Strive for a balance by regularly reviewing and adjusting your forecasts based on current market conditions.
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Lakshmi Narayanan Lakshmanan
Senior Manager - Business Development, Flipkart | Ex GM, Samsung & Titan | SPJIMR, Mumbai
Historical data is just one of the levers in predicting future demand and even this might not be foolproof. The market dynamics, competition, availability, consumer preferences - all of these factors could throw the inventory planning accurate offtrack as they are dynamic and can't be replicated from yesteryear. Hence historical sales data must only be accepted as a guidance and not as a bullet proof method of future sales. Keep the planning nimble and agile and account for multiple corrections along the way.
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Clovis Silva
Pós Graduado em Gestão Empresarial
Fazer uma análise pontual de vendas do período anterior e observar o momento econômico atual para ajustar a compra, evitando rupturas ou excesso de estoque.
Regular reviews of your inventory are essential to identify potential obsolescence early. Set up a schedule to assess your stock levels, condition, and sell-through rates. This process helps in making decisions about markdowns, promotions, or product discontinuations before items become a financial burden. Moreover, consider the shelf life of products; for perishable goods or those with a set expiry date, a more frequent review cycle is necessary to ensure they are sold or used before becoming unsellable.
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Usman Ahmad
Supply Chain Manager | Inventory & Warehouse Operations Optimization Expert | Project Manager Specializing in SC | NUST'24
1. Schedule reviews: Establish a regular schedule for reviewing your inventory levels, particularly for slow-moving items or products nearing their end-of-life cycle. 2. ABC Analysis: Classify your inventory using the ABC analysis method. This prioritizes focus on high-value (A) items that are most susceptible to obsolescence while allowing for less frequent reviews of low-value (C) items. 3. Identify at-Risk Products: Proactively identify products at risk of obsolescence based on declining sales trends, approaching expiry dates, or changes in customer preferences.
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Clovis Silva
Pós Graduado em Gestão Empresarial
Sistema de gerenciamento de estoque já fazem o controle de estoque e validade, porém nada impede que sejam feitos inventários esporádicos para corrigir falhas operacionais.
Smart purchasing strategies can significantly reduce the risk of inventory obsolescence. Establish strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate flexible terms, such as smaller, more frequent orders or the ability to return unsold items. Consider implementing Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory practices, where materials are ordered and received as needed for production or sales, reducing the amount of stock held at any given time. By aligning purchasing with real-time demand, you avoid overstocking items that may become obsolete.
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Usman Ahmad
Supply Chain Manager | Inventory & Warehouse Operations Optimization Expert | Project Manager Specializing in SC | NUST'24
1. Negotiate Lead Times: Negotiate flexible lead times with suppliers to minimize the risk of getting stuck with excess inventory if demand forecasts change unexpectedly. 2. Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory Management: For predictable demand items, consider implementing a JIT inventory management system to reduce storage costs and minimize the risk of obsolescence. 3. Order Optimization: Optimize your ordering quantities based on accurate forecasts and historical sales data to avoid overstocking on slow-moving items.
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Jacob Smith
Systems Engineer
It's important to realize the complex pricing of materials and goods. Purchasing an end of life quantity might seem irrelevant, but if it's a product that requires a much longer lead time than what you're manufacturing or selling, the peace of mind that comes along with a quick turnaround is a competitive edge that you can leverage in contacts
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Clovis Silva
Pós Graduado em Gestão Empresarial
Sistema de gerenciamento de compras cumprem essa tarefa do pedido automático, porém devemos atentar para os produtos com validade curta e fazer distribuição para as lojas evitando que vença nos depósitos.
Dynamic pricing is an effective tool for managing inventory levels and reducing obsolescence. Adjust prices based on demand, shelf life, and remaining stock to encourage sales of items at risk of becoming obsolete. Implementing discounts or promotions for slow-moving products can help clear out inventory before it's too late. It's important to be flexible with your pricing strategy and responsive to changes in the market to prevent excess stock from becoming a financial drain.
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Lakshmi Narayanan Lakshmanan
Senior Manager - Business Development, Flipkart | Ex GM, Samsung & Titan | SPJIMR, Mumbai
Pricing is one of the most important tools to avoid inventory obsolescence. The cost of unsold inventory is higher than the cost of discounted inventory. Hence businesses take the call of liquidating slow moving stock at deep discounts such that it reduces their inventory carrying costs, frees up space to store/buy something else and helps the cash flow running. Consumers might often wonder how someone could offer such deep discounts on such products. It's mostly a case of slow moving inventory which is eating away their business and hence the retailer has decided to get rid of the same. Pricing has to be dynamic and in parity with competition.
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Clovis Silva
Pós Graduado em Gestão Empresarial
Baixa de preços gradativa afim de não perder a margem de venda, comprar de acordo com a demanda, implementar promoção com outros produtos, expor os produtos com mais agressividade.
Embracing technology can greatly enhance your ability to manage inventory obsolescence. Invest in an inventory management system that offers real-time tracking, automated reordering, and data analytics. These systems provide valuable insights into sales patterns and inventory turnover rates, allowing for more informed decision-making. Additionally, consider technologies like RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) for better tracking of inventory movement and more precise control over stock levels.
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Harvinder Singh
✨🏅236 X Linkedin Top Voice 🏅✨|| 8% in Top Generative AI Voice || Top Artificial Intelligence (AI) Voice || 10% in Top Business Transformation Voice ||
Implementing an inventory management system with real-time tracking, automated reordering, and data analytics can identify sales patterns and reduce obsolete inventory. Conducting periodic physical inventory counts and comparing them to recorded levels can identify discrepancies and take proactive steps to reduce obsolete inventory. Implementing accurate inventory forecasting, demand forecasting, and product categorization can improve inventory accuracy and help avoid obsolete inventory. Businesses can sell or donate obsolete inventory at discounted prices or return them to suppliers for refunds. Implementing measures as reviewing and updating inventory policies, enhancing inventory visibility can help prevent future inventory problems
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KUNAL BHAT , CSCMP PMP
Senior Business Analyst 📊 | Leveraging Data-Driven Insights to Improve Business Operational Models, Reduce Inventory, and Improve Team Productivity | SAP ERP Consultant 🖥️ | Lean Six Sigma Certified ✅
To manage inventory obsolescence and minimize write-offs, adopt proactive strategies such as regular inventory audits to identify slow-moving items. Implement just-in-time inventory management to reduce excess stock. Utilize forecasting tools to anticipate demand fluctuations accurately. Offer promotions or discounts to sell off aging inventory. Establish clear communication channels with suppliers to adjust orders based on market trends. Consider donating obsolete items for tax benefits or recycling to minimize losses. Regularly review product lifecycles and adjust procurement accordingly. By staying agile and proactive, you can mitigate inventory obsolescence and minimize write-offs, preserving profitability and efficiency.
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Mashhood Naseer
Country Leader | Performer | Result Driven | Change Agent | Lifelong Learner | Growth Champion | Commercial Expert | C-Suite Responsibilities
Following is the bare minimum steps you can take to effectively manage inventory obsolescence, reduce write-offs, and optimize your inventory management processes. - Regularly review inventory to identify slow moving items - Implement FIFO and EOQ to optimize inventory management. - Monitor product life cycles to plan for obsolescence and use clearance strategies to remove obsolete inventory. - Improve forecasting and demand planning to reduce overstocking. - Consider product refurbishment or repurposing to extend product life. - Adopt a JIT inventory system to minimize inventory levels.
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Lakshmi Narayanan Lakshmanan
Senior Manager - Business Development, Flipkart | Ex GM, Samsung & Titan | SPJIMR, Mumbai
Depending on the category of business, your terms of supply become the most important lever to manage inventory obsolescence and write offs. If you are operating on an Outright model, then the entire risk passes on to you as a buyer / inventory manager. But if you are operating on a Sale or Return model or Stock Correction model, then the liability of the inventory is split between the supplier as well as the buyer. This way, you could redeem some of the inventory from being unsold and replace it with fast moving inventory, thereby keeping the cycle moving.
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Thomas Dent, CPIM, CSCP, CPSM, CPSD
Director of Program Management
In managing inventory and reducing write-offs, I've implemented a strategy that integrates several key practices: Accurate Forecasting & ABC/XYZ Analysis: Utilizes detailed analysis to categorize inventory, focusing resources efficiently. Product Lifecycle Management: Regular lifecycle reviews anticipate demand changes, adjusting inventory strategy accordingly. Pre-S&OP Review Sessions: Aged inventory is reviewed with sales and leadership before S&OP meetings to identify proactive management opportunities.
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Del May
The Profit Specialist
I would increase inventory turns or accept the possibility of stock outs in order to minimize the risk of obsolescence. Maintain open communication links with the company managers that influence the life and times of the inventoried items. JIT is effective but so is outsourcing some inventory items to a third party. Be flexible and resourceful in utilizing the various tools to maintain profitability- do not be afraid to utilize uncommon pairings of the tools.
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