When you are busy running a vape store, there is always a lot to consider as part of your daily operations. You need to make sure that your staff is looked after and that your customers are always receiving top-quality service. You will also need to make sure the store is presentable at all times and that you have plenty of stock for your customers to choose from. Stocking your store with popular brands that you know your customers will love is also key, but keeping on top of all of the products in your store can get overwhelming quickly. To help you manage your inventory more effectively, here are some quick tips to keep in mind.
1. Keep Your Storeroom Organized
One of the best ways to manage your stock at the vape store is to make sure that your storeroom is organized efficiently. Keeping items grouped in a sensible order is one way to do this, and labeling boxes clearly so that staff can find what they are looking for quickly is also a good idea. You should also make sure that your storeroom is kept tidy to avoid any potential accidents due to clutter, poorly placed boxes on shelving units, etc.
2. Use Automated Systems
If you do have a large store with a big stock room, then you might want to think about using automated inventory systems to help you keep updated on what you’re running low of. This will make organizing the store room much more efficient and can help staff find what they are looking for quickly. It can also be a good way to identify which products are selling well and which aren’t. This can be beneficial to you as then you will be able to reduce your orders for items that don’t sell fast or choose to stop stocking certain brands/products altogether if they aren’t worth the investment.
3. Finding Reliable Suppliers
Another way you can improve your stock management at the vape store is to find reliable suppliers for your business. This will not only mean you can keep your stock replenished, but it could also help you find better rates at wholesalers so you can increase your profit margins. This business for wholesale e-liquids is a good example of the kind of companies you might be looking for.
4. Get Customer Feedback
Assessing what products are left on your storeroom shelves is a good way to see what is selling well and what isn’t, but another way you can make sure you are investing in good products is by asking for customer feedback. Understanding what products and brands your customers are fans of could give you further insight into what they want to see in your vape store.
5. Don’t Leave Ordering Until the Last Minute
You should also make sure you are allowing plenty of time for new stock to arrive to avoid running out of items. Reviewing your stock once a week is a great way to keep on top of things, and if you do notice that certain items are starting to run low, put in an order as soon as possible. Delays can happen for a variety of reasons, so the sooner you put in your order, the better the chance of it arriving on time.
6. Be Mindful of Busy Periods in the Year
Another thing to keep in mind when you are ordering stock is that some periods throughout the year will be busier than others, such as the Christmas sales season, for example. If you want to make sure your shelves are fully stocked with customer favorites, plan for these periods so that you can provide this for your customers. Speak to your suppliers and ask what they would recommend in terms of when you should be getting your orders in by, and how the holiday season might impact their hours.
7. Make Sure Staff are Trained Properly
Finally, make sure that any staff who will be rotating stock and managing inventories have been trained properly to do so. This will help you avoid any mistakes that could potentially cost your business money, as well as give your employees more confidence in carrying out their responsibilities. Have a supervisor or manager talk them through these steps, and make sure that they understand how to manage stock effectively before they are left in charge of this.
If you want to make sure you are managing your vape store’s stock more effectively, consider the tips above and see if they can help you.
