Inventory Supplies for Small Business

A backroom that works saves hours every week and prevents the sale you lose because you could not find the item. The foundation is simple: adjustable shelving, bins you can see into, a label on every location, and a way to count quickly — by hand, with a tally counter, or with a barcode scanner.

Lay out stock by how often it moves. Fast sellers go at waist to eye height nearest the shop floor, slow sellers go high, and backup stock goes low or at the back. Give every bin a location code and put that code in your inventory records, so a count is a walk down the aisle rather than a search.

Count little and often. A cycle count of a few bins a day catches errors while they are small and avoids closing for a full stocktake. Our guide to physical inventory counts explains how to set one up.

What to look for when buying

• Wire shelving is cheaper, adjustable and easier to keep clean than wood.
• Clear or open-front bins let you see stock levels at a glance.
• Label every shelf location, not only the products.
• A tally counter or scanner speeds up counts once you have more than a few dozen items.