

Average inventory thus renders a more stable and reliable measure.įor example, in the case of seasonal sales, inventories of certain items - like patio furniture or artificial trees - are pushed abnormally high just ahead of the season and are seriously depleted at the end of it. How Inventory Turnover Ratio WorksĪverage inventory is typically used to even out spikes and dips from outlier changes represented in one segment of time, such as a day or month.
#Stock turnover formula how to#
number of KPIs that can provide insights into how to increase sales or improve the marketability of certain stock or the overall inventory mix. Ultimately, the inventory turnover ratio measures how well the company generates sales from its stock. Inventory Turnover Ratio ExplainedĬalculating and tracking inventory turnover helps businesses make smarter decisions in a variety of areas, including pricing, manufacturing, marketing, purchasing and warehouse management.

Knowing your turnover ratio depends on effective inventory control, also known as stock control, where the company has good insight into what it has on hand. A higher ratio is more desirable than a low one as a high ratio tends to point to strong sales. The turnover ratio is derived from a mathematical calculation, where the cost of goods sold is divided by the average inventory for the same period. The formula can also be used to calculate the number of days it will take to sell the inventory on hand. The inventory turnover ratio is the number of times a company has sold and replenished its inventory over a specific amount of time. Conversely, a higher ratio can indicate insufficient inventory on hand, and a lower one can indicate too much inventory in stock.

A higher ratio tends to point to strong sales and a lower one to weak sales.The inventory turnover ratio is calculated by dividing the cost of goods by average inventory for the same period.Inventory turnover is the rate that inventory stock is sold, or used, and replaced.Inventory includes all goods, raw or finished, that a company has in stock with the intent to sell.For example, consumer packaged goods (CPG) usually have high turnover, while very high-end luxury goods, such as luxury handbags, typically see few units sold per year and long production times.Ī number of inventory management challenges can affect turnover they include changing customer demand, poor supply chain planning and overstocking. Successful companies usually have several inventory turnovers per year, but it varies by industry and product category. One complete turnover of inventory means the company sold the stock that it purchased, less any items lost to damage or shrinkage. Inventory turnover refers to the amount of time that passes from the day an item is purchased by a company until it is sold. Conversely, a low ratio indicates weak sales, lackluster market demand or an inventory glut.Įither way, knowing where the sales winds blow will inform how to set your company’s sails.

A high ratio implies strong sales or insufficient inventory to support sales at that rate. Turnover ratio also reveals a lot about a company’s forecasting, inventory management and sales and marketing expertise. That inventory turnover calculation informs everything from pricing strategy and supplier relationships to promotions and the product lifecycle. Generally, however, items drift along somewhere in the middle, meaning all companies need a handle on what’s moving and how quickly. Other times, you can’t discount deeply enough. East, Nordics and Other Regions (opens in new tab)
