Keeping your business inventory safe and secure is critical for any business. Whether you own a small local business or operate a large warehouse, keeping track of your stock and ensuring it’s safe from theft or damage requires specific attention. You must keep your inventory secure if you own a small business with little staff or resources.
Conduct Regular Inventory Checks
The best way to ensure your business inventory is safe and secure is to conduct regular inventory checks to track your items. Conducting inventory checks once a year is a common practice in the industry. It allows you to record any items that are getting close to expiring so that you can replace them before they go bad. It also allows you to record any items you’re running low on so that you can reorder them before running out completely. By conducting regular inventory checks, you can restock any low-stock items before they become a major inconvenience to your customers. You may also want to check your inventory more frequently if your business deals with perishable items like food or beverages or if you sell high-ticket items that are easily stolen.
Renting A Warehouse
If you live and run a business in the Atlanta area, consider looking into an Atlanta warehouse for rent. This allows you to keep your inventory separate from the rest of your business but still within the same city or state. This can be especially beneficial if you don’t have much space in your business or need to take up less space in your building. An offsite inventory warehouse can also be a good option if you have high-ticket items that are very expensive and easily stolen. Keeping these items in a separate facility can reduce your theft risk and keep your other inventory safe and secure.
Monitor Your Inventory Storage Areas
If you have inventory stored in a separate area of your business, such as a warehouse or a basement, you have a greater risk of inventory theft. To prevent this risk, you can employ a few different strategies:
- You can conduct regular inventory checks of your storage areas to keep track of your inventory and note any items that are getting close to expiring.
- You can consider installing cameras in your storage areas to monitor your assets, even when you are not around.
- You can lock up your storage areas to make it more difficult for thieves to break in and steal your inventory.
Use Barcode Labels and Track Your Items
If your business involves a lot of inventory, you can further prevent theft by labeling all of your items with a barcode. Barcoding your inventory makes it easier to track items in and out of your business and makes it more difficult for someone to steal your items without getting caught. Investing in barcode equipment for your business or hiring a barcode labeling company can be costly. Still, it may be worth it if you have a large amount of inventory and need to track it more efficiently. You may also want to invest in other inventory and inventory management systems, like inventory software, that can make tracking and managing your inventory more efficient.
Install Cameras and Monitor Doorways and Windows
If your business is open to the public, you may want to install cameras throughout your entire business. Areas to focus on include doorways, entrances, and other areas with easy access. You should also monitor windows that are easily accessible, such as windows in the break room or near the front door. You can use these cameras to monitor inventory, employees, and customers. This will ensure you know everything that is going on inside your business at all times.
Lock Up Your Computer and Important Paperwork
If you operate a small business out of your home, you may want to consider locking up your computer and important paperwork in a safe or filing cabinet to stay safe from theft. This is especially important if you don’t have anyone in your home who can watch your computer or keep an eye on your important documents. You can also consider putting a lock on your internet router to prevent people from accessing your computer and files from the internet.
Conclusion
A big loss of inventory can be catastrophic for any business. The cost of restocking the items and the potential for lost profits can have serious repercussions. These tips will help keep your business inventory safe and secure, so you don’t suffer these unfortunate consequences.
