The availability problem
Keeping products available across a retail network requires decisions at the individual store and product level. When a store runs out of a product, both the retailer and the supplier can miss sales.
A product can be available elsewhere in the network while a particular store has none on hand and none on order. Reviewing recurring reports across stores, products, and variants makes it difficult to identify every gap and intervene before inventory runs out.
Turning reports into replenishment decisions
I developed an internal application that combines sales rates, inventory on hand, incoming orders, and replenishment lead times. It automates the recurring analysis used to identify when a product needs reordering and how much inventory is needed to reach its target weeks of supply.
The workflow addresses two connected decisions: a reorder point determines when replenishment is needed, while a target stock level determines the quantity to replenish toward. Evaluating both at the store and product level makes the output specific enough for teams to act on.
Finding gaps before they become stockouts
The application flags existing availability gaps, including products with zero on hand and zero on order. It also identifies low inventory coverage before stock is depleted, so teams can consider replenishment while there is still time to receive it.
These are different situations: an existing stockout needs attention now, while declining weeks of supply provides an opportunity to prevent the next one. The workflow brings both into the same review process.
Making the priorities visible
Teams can explore the analysis by store or by product, then investigate the individual variants behind a shortage. Estimated unmet demand and sales exposure help focus attention on the replenishment opportunities that deserve review.
The result is a repeatable workflow for replenishment recommendations: identify the gap, understand the inventory coverage, and determine the next order. It helps teams act earlier and maintain product availability. Sales exposure is an estimate used to prioritize action, rather than a measure of revenue already recovered.