How to Track Shop Inventory Manually – Step-by-Step Guide
Not ready for an app yet? Here’s how to track shop inventory manually—and when to consider upgrading.
Part of our inventory management guide.
Manual Inventory Methods
1. Stock Register (Notebook)
Keep a simple register with columns: Date, Item, Opening Stock, In, Out, Closing Stock. Update daily for fast-moving items.
Pros: Cheap, no tech needed
Cons: Time-consuming, prone to errors, hard to search
2. Excel or Google Sheets
Create a spreadsheet with item names, quantities, reorder levels, and last updated date. Use formulas for basic calculations.
Pros: Searchable, can add alerts
Cons: Not mobile-friendly, no GST integration
3. Barcode + Spreadsheet
If you have barcodes, scan and log in a sheet. More accurate than manual counting.
Pros: Faster data entry
Cons: Still manual, no real-time sync
When to Switch to an App
Consider an inventory app when:
- You stock 100+ items
- You have regular customers with dues
- You need GST invoices
- Manual tracking takes more than 30 minutes daily
- You’re making frequent stock-out or overstock mistakes
Stockkeeper is built for this transition—simple enough to replace your notebook, powerful enough to handle GST and dues. [Join the waitlist](/ “#waitlist).