Stock control – or inventory control – lets you keep track of the quantity and location of your stock. Businesses employ stock control for raw materials as well as finished goods and it spans the entire production cycle. Efficient stock control involves balancing various factors, as this free Business Gateway guide on the subject shows.

For example, keeping little stock reduces storage costs and waste but can result in an overreliance on suppliers. Having more stock means tying up more capital, but you will never run out and you may get discounts on bulk purchases.

Stock control systems can be manual or computerised and vary widely in their complexity. A computerised system can be more flexible and efficient, especially if you deal with many types of stock. It can also help you to more easily track quality control issues with stock, whether backwards to the supplier or forwards to the finished product.

Yes, if you are thinking about starting, or already run, a business in Scotland.

This is a free and impartial service.

Any business based in Scotland that deals with some form of stock.

Business Gateway’s guide to stock control is a 4-minute read.

Visit the Business Gateway website to learn more about stock control.