outofstock

Out of stock, often written as out-of-stock or OOS, refers to a product that is not currently available for sale because its inventory is depleted or otherwise unavailable. In retail and e-commerce, the status is commonly displayed on product pages and may be labeled as "out of stock," "currently unavailable," or "backorder only." Some databases or systems may store the term as "outofstock" in a single word.

Causes of stockouts can include unexpected demand surges, supply chain disruptions, production delays, inaccurate forecasting, and limited supplier capacity. Temporary stockouts occur when replenishment is imminent or when the item will be backordered; persistent stockouts may signal long-term discontinuation or the need for product substitution.

The experience of a stockout affects both retailers and customers. For retailers, stockouts can lead to lost sales, lower conversion rates, and possible reputational impact. To mitigate negative effects, many retailers offer alternatives, notify customers when items are restocked, or implement waitlists and backorder options. Customers facing stockouts may seek substitutes or switch to different retailers.

Management approaches focus on inventory control and demand planning. Key strategies include maintaining safety stock, setting reorder points, improving demand forecasting, diversifying suppliers, and aligning multi-channel fulfillment. Performance metrics commonly used to monitor stockouts include stockout rate, fill rate, and gross margin impact. Effective stock management helps balance availability with carrying costs and supports a positive shopping experience.