How to Keep Your Small Business In Stock (and Customers Happy)
Few things hurt more than seeing a “Sold Out” label where your best-selling product should be—especially when you know you could have made the sale if you’d planned ahead. Stockouts can frustrate customers, damage trust, and put a dent in your bottom line.
But staying in stock doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By being strategic with your purchasing and inventory management, you can keep your shelves full and your business running smoothly. Here are three proven strategies:
1. Buy Excess Inventory—On Purpose
Yes, we know: “excess inventory” usually sounds like a bad thing. But when it comes to your best sellers, buying a little extra is like buying insurance for your revenue.
Suppliers can have delays, shipping can take longer than expected, and demand can spike without warning. Keeping a cushion of extra units on hand ensures that you can ride out those bumps without going dark on your store shelves.
Pro tip: Track your sales history and note seasonal peaks so you can buy more strategically—avoiding too much overstock while still staying covered.
2. Rank Your Products by Importance
Not all products deserve the same attention (or investment). Some are core to your business and generate most of your profit, while others are “nice to have” add-ons.
Use the ABC method:
- A items – Your top sellers and highest profit drivers. Keep these in stock at all costs.
- B items – Steady sellers that matter, but aren’t mission-critical. Maintain a reasonable buffer.
- C items – Lower-value, low-demand products. Order sparingly and replenish less often.
This way, you can focus your time, cash, and storage space where they matter most.
3. Add in Safety Stock
Safety stock is your “just in case” reserve—extra inventory you keep beyond your regular demand to cover unexpected events like supplier hiccups, bad weather, or sudden surges in orders.
The right amount will depend on:
- How quickly your supplier can restock you
- How unpredictable your sales are
- How critical the product is to your business
Even a small safety stock can make the difference between fulfilling every order and turning away disappointed customers.
The Bottom Line
Stockouts aren’t just a missed sale—they can erode customer loyalty and slow your growth. By buying a little extra of your key products, ranking your items by importance, and building in a safety stock buffer, you’ll keep your shelves full and your customers coming back.
Think of it as protecting your business’s heartbeat—steady, reliable, and ready for the next rush.
Need help staying in stock? We’ve got you covered!
Flori Consulting 