Stock Availability, also known as “in-stock rate,” is a measure of whether a specific product is available for purchase at a given point in time. It is a fundamental operational metric that directly impacts sales and customer satisfaction. A product can be listed on a website, but if its inventory level is zero, its stock availability is “out of stock” (OOS). Conversely, if inventory is greater than zero, it is “in stock.” Maintaining high stock availability is crucial because an OOS situation leads directly to: Lost Sales: The immediate loss of a potential transaction. Customer Dissatisfaction: Frustration and a negative brand experience. Potential Brand Switching: The customer may purchase a competitor’s product instead and not return. For retailers selling on marketplaces like Amazon, stock availability is a key factor in winning the “Buy Box.” Businesses monitor stock availability closely and use demand forecasting and safety stock levels to minimize OOS events. For brands selling through retailers, monitoring their products’ stock availability across those partners is a key part of channel management, ensuring their products are actually present and purchaseable where customers are looking for them.
Additional resources:
Product Availability Analytics by 42Signals
Ecommerce Inventory Alerts by 42Signals
