Prioritise blocking items
Start with parts used by several bundles, packaging that has no substitute and items with long supplier lead times. Their shortage can affect more orders than their unit value suggests.
Treat the threshold as a planning signal
A minimum level should prompt review, not silently rewrite Shopify inventory. Compare it with open demand and incoming supply before ordering.
Business example
Set a mailer-box review level of one hundred
The shop uses 40 boxes a week, the supplier lead time is two weeks and the merchant keeps 20 as a buffer.
| Weekly use | Lead-time cover | Buffer | Review level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
- Multiply weekly use by the two-week lead time
- Add the twenty-box buffer
- Review purchasing when stock approaches one hundred
Sources
Further reading
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first?
Start with parts used by several bundles, packaging that has no substitute and items with long supplier lead times. Their shortage can affect more orders than their unit value suggests.
What result should I aim for?
Choose thresholds around items needed, supplier lead time and the cost of a blocked bundle.