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What is Stock Rotation?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Stock rotation is a common strategy employed in small and large retail stores. Essentially, the process involves displaying older items for sale more prominently than items that were recently acquired. The idea behind this type of rotating process is to move older products out the door in order to make room for other and newer ones.

While stock rotation is used in every retail outlet, the strategy is particularly prominent when it comes to selling perishable items, such as packaged or fresh foods. Many commercially packaged items, such as cereal, canned goods, and dairy products, carry a date by which the product must be sold or removed from display. As this sell-by date approaches, merchants tend to move these items to the front of the display shelves, placing newer products behind them. For casual shoppers who do not pay attention to these dates, the chance that they will simply select the item at the front of the shelf is much higher.

Stock rotation involves displaying certain merchandise more prominently than it was previous.
Stock rotation involves displaying certain merchandise more prominently than it was previous.

Some manufacturers consider the rotation of stock to be essential to maintaining a positive public image. Companies with this mindset often employ personnel who travel around to the various retail outlets carrying their products and determine if it is time to remove older products from public display. This action helps to ensure that consumers do not purchase products that are on the verge of becoming stale and thus less desirable in terms of quality or flavor. When a manufacturer employs this type of policy, it is not unusual for them to issue some type of credit to the store owners for any items that are removed from public sale.

Supermarkets often rotate stock, sometimes pairing the rotation with discount offers.
Supermarkets often rotate stock, sometimes pairing the rotation with discount offers.

Supermarkets and convenience stores commonly rotate stock on an ongoing basis. Moving products to the front of the display are sometimes augmented with offering some sort of discount off the usual retail price. For example, a supermarket may apply a discount of up to 50% on a gallon of milk that is about to reach its sell-by date in an effort to obtain as much profit from the item as possible. Meats are sometimes marked down in an effort to move them before they spoil. The rotating stock is moved to a more prominent position in the coolers than the freshly prepared meats, improving the chances that shoppers will see the meats and purchase them for use within the near future.

At grocery stores, stock rotation helps ensure that produce and other perishable items are safe.
At grocery stores, stock rotation helps ensure that produce and other perishable items are safe.

Even older products that are not perishable are sometimes rotated. Clothing that is about to go out of season is sometimes moved to a prominent area of display in an effort to sell the items before they have to be stored away until the following year. Older audio and video equipment, such as CDs or software programs, may be shifted to the front of display cabinets or shelves, working on the theory that rotating products to a more prominent area will make it possible to sell the units before they become too old or obsolete.

Stock clerks are responsible for replacing old inventory with new products.
Stock clerks are responsible for replacing old inventory with new products.

The process of stock rotation is a simple marketing strategy that can often help to minimize loss to the retailer as well as to the manufacturer. It does not work in every case, however. Items that are seasonal or considered fads may fail to move even when displayed prominently and offered at a discount. In addition, savvy shoppers are familiar with the concept and will often reach for an item that is near the back of the shelf, disregarding products that are displayed toward the front.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including SmartCapitalMind, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including SmartCapitalMind, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

animegal

Can anyone tell me when the seasonal sales are most likely to start? Is it right at the end of say, October for fall items, or earlier?

I hate buying something and seeing it go down drastically in price the next week. This always seems to happen to me.

Mae82

As mentioned in the article, clothing that is about to go out of season is usually displayed up front. It can be a great money saver too.

I used to work in retail, and the best discounts show up as the season is about to end. You can easily stock up for the next year at amazingly low prices.

While this doesn't work for short-term trends and fad items, there are classic pieces you can buy such as jeans, blouses, shoes and jackets that stay in style for years. I really recommend you hit the end of season sales and stock up while things are hitting 50% off and more.

Sara007

I have definitely saved a lot of money by disregarding products that are displayed toward the front.

I always make sure to check items like my milk, yogurt and meat for expiration dates. I always pull them from the back to get the best shelf life.

Though, with many things, such as fruit and vegetables, I find you can get some really fantastic deals on items that need to move out the door. These items generally have a shelf life of 2-3 days. If you shop at night, just before the store closes, you can really save a lot of money on your perishables for the next few days.

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    • Stock rotation involves displaying certain merchandise more prominently than it was previous.
      By: JJAVA
      Stock rotation involves displaying certain merchandise more prominently than it was previous.
    • Supermarkets often rotate stock, sometimes pairing the rotation with discount offers.
      By: anyaberkut
      Supermarkets often rotate stock, sometimes pairing the rotation with discount offers.
    • At grocery stores, stock rotation helps ensure that produce and other perishable items are safe.
      By: Art Allianz
      At grocery stores, stock rotation helps ensure that produce and other perishable items are safe.
    • Stock clerks are responsible for replacing old inventory with new products.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Stock clerks are responsible for replacing old inventory with new products.
    • Stock rotation is a common strategy used in small and large retail stores.
      By: pressmaster
      Stock rotation is a common strategy used in small and large retail stores.