stocking

Stocking is a term with several related meanings in different contexts. In fashion, stockings are close-fitting leg coverings worn on the legs and often extending above the knee or thigh. In commerce and logistics, stocking refers to the process of filling shelves and maintaining available merchandise. In aquaculture and wildlife management, stocking describes the release of fish into natural or man-made water bodies to support populations or fisheries.

Stockings as hosiery are typically designed to cover the leg from the foot to a higher point such as the knee or thigh. They are made from materials including nylon, cotton, silk, and Lycra, and may feature reinforced toes or heels, decorative patterns, and fastening methods such as garters or elastic bands. Styles vary by length, weave, and finish, and care instructions differ by material to maintain elasticity and appearance.

Inventory stocking in retail and logistics involves ensuring that products are available on shelves and in stock at distribution centers. It includes managing stockkeeping units (SKUs), performing regular counts, replenishing items, forecasting demand, and maintaining safety stock. Effective stocking supports sales, reduces stockouts, and improves customer satisfaction, while poor practices can lead to lost revenue and increased carrying costs.

Fish stocking refers to releasing cultured or wild-caught fish into lakes, rivers, or wetlands to bolster fisheries, restore populations, or support biodiversity. This practice requires selecting appropriate species, evaluating habitat suitability and water quality, and implementing acclimation and monitoring programs. Regulatory oversight and ecological risk assessment are commonly part of stocking programs to mitigate potential negative impacts on ecosystems.

Etymologically, stock in stocking derives from the notion of a supply or a store of goods, a sense carried across its various uses.