restock

Restock refers to the process of replenishing inventory or supplies that have been sold or consumed, with the aim of restoring stock levels to meet ongoing demand. It can involve purchasing from suppliers, transferring stock between locations, or manufacturing goods to replace what has been used.

Restocking is typically triggered by signals from operations such as point-of-sale data, cycle counts, inventory audits, forecasted demand, or predefined reorder points. The process usually includes placing orders, receiving goods, inspecting quality, and moving items to appropriate storage, shelves, or picking locations. In retail, shelf replenishment focuses on ensuring products are available on display, while in warehouses it emphasizes maintaining stock at picking or staging locations.

Context and strategies vary by sector. In retail and e-commerce, effective restocking supports product availability while controlling carrying costs. Techniques commonly used include just-in-time replenishment, economic order quantity, safety stock, and lead time management. Inventory management systems help track stock levels and automate replenishment where appropriate.

Metrics and challenges form an important part of restocking. Key measures include fill rate, stockout rate, inventory turnover, and days of supply. Risks include stockouts, overstock, obsolescence, and shrinkage. Increasingly, automation and digital tools such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), barcode scanning, and RFID improve the accuracy and speed of restocking, reducing downtime and improving service levels. Digital contexts may also describe restocking in-game or virtual storefronts, where virtual items are replenished to meet demand.