Inventory Shrinkage Definition
Inventory shrinkage means that, somewhere along the line, there is a drop in product numbers from the time of manufacture to the time of sale. Clearly, this is a bad thing for both the consumer and the producer. On the producer side of things, the inventory shrinkage factor causes an uptick in product costs as a result of the producers needs to keep profits high. Because of the uptick in product costs, this means that prices on the products are going to go up as a consequence. Furthermore, because of the increase in prices by the producers, the consumers are adversely affected as well. More obviously, the consumers have to pay higher prices for the products than they would have without the shrinkage of inventory. The shrinkage of inventory is a problem because it causes an economic loss as a whole for the entire market.
Inventory Shrinkage Problems
Now that we know what inventory shrinkage causes, as well as what it is as a whole, what causes inventory shrinkage? If one looks at the regular flow of production for a business, products go from Work in Progress, to Finished Goods Inventory, to Sold Products. In a perfect world, there shouldn’t be a point in this process where products just vanish (causing inventory shrinkage). Therefore, one of the likely conclusions settled upon is that there is some sort of malpractice involved with the act.
One of the main forms of inventory shrinkage comes as result of employee theft. That is, employees are taking finished goods out of the finished goods inventory and stealing them. Obviously, the producers/retailers are receiving no profits from these products. Similarly, another inventory shrinkage cause comes as a result of shoplifters. Like employee theft, the outside stealing of company products leads to shrinkage in inventory and a drop in profits. However, inventory shrinkage is caused by more than just theft. Inventory shrinkage reports have shown that paperwork and clerical errors are also a known causer of inventory shrinkage. Even more simply, shipping problems and misplaced inventory in general are both known to be causes.
Inventory Shrinkage Internal Control
To put a leash on the amount of inventory shrinkage caused by employee theft and stealing, a retailer should impose extra security measures. This include guards, cameras, fences. However, you can only cure paperwork errors and mistakes by careful attention to details. A manager should strive to maintain a mantra of efficient internal control. Cut down on internal errors that lead to inventory shrinkage. As a result, profits will rise while prices go down for consumers.
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