The term Out-of-Stock originates from trade (retail) and describes a situation where certain products are not available at the Point of Sale for the end customer.
Brief description
If the requested articles are not available at the right time in the right quality and quantity at the requested location (POS), then losses in turnover generally arise for the company. The reasons for this situation are usually shortages in orders, problems in delivery and placement or inadequacy of racking fixtures. About half of all customers decide, according to the survey, to abandon their purchase or to change stores in such a situation. The rest of the customers postpone the purchase or change the brand or product variant.
The goal of all improvement efforts and activities is to achieve a Never-out-of-stock Situation (NOOS) in which all items are constantly available. Means to achieve this are, for example, improving planning (delivery), automated management systems or sensitizing trade associates to the problem.
