5 Ways to Improve Your Multi Channel Inventory Management


Khushboo BattaKhushboo Batta4/8/2022

What is multi channel inventory management ?

The process by which businesses account for and track orders from various sales sources on inventory that is stored at multiple locations, such as marketplaces, eCommerce, retail, and wholesale.


Why do you need Multi Channel Inventory Management?



Manually managing inventory across multiple channels can be arduous and next to impossible. Let's see how-




How Important Is Multi Channel Inventory Management?

1. No more overselling
One of the most common problems of manually managing inventory across multiple channels is overselling. Like in the above example, when you forget to update the number on the online market places, you may end up selling more than you have. This may mislead business owners into thinking they have already delivered the product. Consequently, leading to poor order management and delayed order fulfillment, giving customers a not-so-good experience.

A multi-channel inventory management software can prevent overselling, improving your order management .

2. Better warehouse management
In the case of multichannel listing, it becomes difficult to see what goods and in how much quantity are present across sales channels. Multi-channel inventory management systems keep account of the stock levels. It allows managers to place purchase orders accordingly, so to avoid situations of stock-out, leading to better warehouse management.



3. Track demand
Data is the main driver of important decisions in a business. To optimize inventory and ensure better border management, it is important to understand the demand of the customers.
A multi-channel inventory management system can help you track what is selling the most and least on third-party channels. It helps you to prepare for events like Christmas , Black Friday. All you need to do is go back to the previous year records and track the items in demand. It allows you to place correct purchase orders so that you can cater to customer needs.


Way

A sales channel is one of the most important factors in determining revenue. A sales channel is a third-party website that allows sellers to advertise their products. A correct sales channel can help your business grow faster.

A sales channel can extend your reach, giving you the opportunity to meet new customers. While selecting the third party sales channel, make sure to consider the following things-

The nature of your product
The reach of the third party sales channel
Read reviews on customer experience about the sales channel
Is multi-channel listing giving you desired profit margins


Way

Manually entering the inventory data and updating stock levels across multiple channels after every transaction can be too challenging. It can maximize the room for error and overselling, further leading to poor order management. Mismanaged inventory or poor Inventory Management can dent your profits severely.

Multi-channel Inventory Management software like Shopify Plus tracks your inventory across channels including retailers, wholesalers, and online marketplace. It auto-updates the stock levels after every transaction , minimizing the scope of errors.


Way

In this era of social media, online market players are switching to content marketing to reach their target audience. Content strategy depends on several factors, like social media platform , your product/service and your target audience. Design your content accordingly!

In case of multi channel listing , identify what kind of audience is coming from where before you frame your content strategy.

To know more, read Inventory Management


Way

Stock control system, also know as inventory control system, is a process of maintaining adequate inventory across so to fulfill business needs across multiple channels , while minimizing the cost of holding stock. In short, it includes all functions related to Inventory Management and maintenance.

An automated inventory control system improves productivity of a business. It ensures real time inventory tracking , shipping management , order management . An automated stock control system should support integration with third party apps.


Way

Inventory Management can be tough in case of multiple channel listing . When a business has listed products across multiplesales channels, it becomes difficulty to add product details separately for every single platform.

A multi channel listing software automates the product listings. This allows inventory managers to add product details and description in one place and push it across channels or online marketplaces.

A multi channel software streamlines the process, making Inventory Management easier.