Key Takeaway: A weekly inventory rhythm and dynamic reorder points (derived from 12 weeks of sales) cut stockouts by 40% without raising holding cost.
Context
FMCG retailer (5 branches, Southern Ghana). Frequent weekend stockouts on top 60 SKUs created lost sales and strained cashflow. Patterns validated against till data and supplier delivery logs.
What changed
- 12‑week rolling average + payday factor set dynamic reorder points.
- Branch par levels reviewed every Friday (20‑minute huddle).
- Supplier terms: smaller, more frequent deliveries.
Results
- Priority SKU stockouts down 40% in 8 weeks.
- Dead stock reduced 9% via SKU trimming.
- Cash conversion improved by 6 days.
Local references
Benchmarked against GRA VAT filing cadence and seasonality noted in GIPC sector briefs; corroborated with supplier delivery SLAs from local chambers' case notes.
For your team (Kwame, Ama, Nana)
- Kwame: Which 20 SKUs drive most walk‑aways? Apply Friday reorder rules to them first.
- Ama: Align promos with in‑stock certainty. No campaign without a supply plan.
- Nana: Model working‑capital impact; expect fewer emergency buys and steadier margins.
Discussion questions
- Which SKUs create the biggest weekend risk, and why?
- What delivery frequency change frees cash this month?
- How will we track “lost sales avoided” weekly?