How to Prepare Your Stock for a Professional Stocktake and Maximise Results
A professional stocktaking company can deliver accurate counts, valuable insights, and time savings, but the quality of results often depends on how well your stock is prepared before the team arrives. By taking a few steps in advance, you can minimise disruptions, save money, and ensure you get the most from your stocktake.
At Stocktaking.ie powered by RGIS, we’ve conducted thousands of stocktakes across retail, distribution, and industrial environments. Here are our expert tips on how to prepare your stock for a smooth and successful count.
1. Organise and clean your stock areas
- Tidy shelves, stockrooms, and warehouse aisles so that all items are visible and accessible.
- Clearly separate damaged, obsolete, or return-to-vendor stock so it doesn’t get included in error.
- Ensure stock is in its proper location, as misplaced items lead to discrepancies.
2. Label shelves and stock clearly
- Check that all shelf labels and product tags are accurate and legible.
- Replace missing or damaged barcodes before the stocktake.
- Group similar products together to reduce confusion for stock counters.
3. Freeze stock movements during the count
- Pause deliveries, transfers, and sales from the areas being counted to avoid data mismatches.
- If it’s not possible to stop movements entirely, record every transaction during the count window for later reconciliation.
4. Prepare documentation in advance
- Have purchase orders, delivery notes, and transfer documents ready for reference.
- Provide your stocktaking company with system reports or live access to your stock records.
- Highlight any areas of concern, such as high-shrink lines or locations with frequent discrepancies.
5. Brief your staff
- Inform staff about the stocktake schedule and their role in supporting the process.
- Ask them to avoid unnecessary interruptions during the count.
- Assign point-of-contact personnel to work with the stocktaking team on the day.
6. Set aside non-count stock
- Separate customer returns, promotional displays, or items awaiting collection.
- Clearly mark them as “not in scope” to prevent accidental inclusion.
7. Plan your layout and workflow
- Provide a floor plan or map of your site to the stocktaking company.
- Agree on a starting point, direction, and order of zones to make the process efficient.
- Ensure lighting, Wi-Fi (if required), and access routes are all in working order.
Why preparation matters
Good preparation means:
- Faster counts with less disruption to trading hours
- Higher accuracy by reducing human error
- Better insights for decision making and shrink reduction
- Lower costs as fewer recounts are needed
Get the best results with Stocktaking.ie powered by RGIS
A professional stocktake is an investment in your business. By preparing properly, you’ll not only make the process faster and smoother, but also maximise the return on that investment.
Stocktaking.ie powered by RGIS, offers expert stocktaking services tailored to retail, warehouse, and industrial environments. Our teams work with you to ensure every count is accurate, efficient, and fully aligned with your business needs.
Contact us today to schedule your next professional stocktake and discover the difference preparation makes.