Why this matters
A product can be popular and still create problems when replenishment timing fails to keep up with demand.
Calculate average daily sales
If a variant sold 84 units in 28 days, the historical average is 3 units per day. A longer comparison window may be preferable for irregular demand.
Estimate basic coverage
With 36 units currently available, 36 ÷ 3 = 12 days of supply at the recent sales rate. This is a rough scenario, not a promised stockout date.
Compare against lead time
If receiving more units typically takes 18 days, 12 days of coverage may require urgent review. Check open purchase orders, receiving reliability, safety stock and usable quantities by location.
Check stockouts and seasonality
Recent sales can understate demand if the product was unavailable for part of the period. Holiday spikes, promotion plans and upcoming launches can change the picture.
Prioritize variants individually
A fast-selling size might need attention while another color has excess stock. Avoid placing one undifferentiated reorder for every variant.
Example with numbers
Illustrative scenario: 36 units on hand, 84 sold during 28 days, and an 18-day supplier lead time. Approximate coverage is 12 days, so the variant merits review before the next replenishment.
All example products and numbers on this page are illustrative.
Related inventory guidance
Shopify distinguishes tracked stock and location fulfillment rules; a store can display an item as unavailable even while units exist elsewhere. See Shopify’s out-of-stock guidance.
Explore related topics:
- Dead stock
- Sell-through
- Identify Slow-Moving Inventory
- Shopify Variant Inventory Analysis
- Shopify Sales Velocity and Days of Supply Explained
- How Much Cash Is Tied Up Inventory?
How InventoryPulse can help
InventoryPulse combines Shopify sales and inventory data to help merchants review product and variant performance, recent selling pace, sell-through and inventory recommendations. Ask InventoryPulse can answer supported questions using available store evidence, with limitations where evidence is insufficient. InventoryPulse does not make guaranteed sales predictions or purchasing decisions.