Shelf space optimization is core to successful retail store operations. Product shelves are the first thing customers see when entering a store – and disorganized shelves, yawning gaps, expired products, or inaccurate price tags are not a good look.
The pressure is on. A growing e-commerce and grocery delivery industry pushes brick-and-mortar stores to stay on top of their game.
With mobile data capture solutions, retailers can instantly optimize inventory management and re-ordering, maximizing shelf efficiency, visibility, and accessibility.
In this article, we will explore how mobile data capture enables retailers to streamline shelf space management, keeping shelves well-stocked and inventory updated.
Key aspects of successful shelf management
A visually appealing and easy-to-navigate shelf layout guides customers through their shopping journey and encourages them to buy. The foundation of good shelf management, though, is efficient inventory management.
Consequently, store managers should focus on the following key aspects.
Product placement and visual merchandising
Products should be organized to maximize their appeal and convenience for customers. Retailers can rely on tried-and-true methods, such as eye-level placement for high-margin items and promos. The closer a product is to the shopper’s line of sight, the more visible it is.
Space optimization
Although placing as many products on the shelves as possible may seem intuitive, moderation is key. Space optimization means finding the right balance between displaying as many relevant products as possible and overcrowding the shelves.
Shelf inventory management
Efficient shelf inventory management is fundamental to shelf space optimization. It involves coordinating shelf stock levels, ordering, and re-ordering of products. The goal is to avoid both overstocking and stockouts, reducing waste, empty shelves, and, consequently, lost sales.
Operational efficiency
Product placement, space optimization, and inventory management operations all benefit from automation. By streamlining tasks such as restocking and shelf maintenance, retailers save staff time and resources and boost store efficiency. To make the most of this potential, store owners need to invest in suitable technology.
How mobile barcode scanning streamlines retail shelf space optimization
One such technology is mobile barcode scanner software. Integrated into a web or mobile app, it turns ordinary smart devices into powerful barcode scanners. How powerful? They allow staff to scan whole shelf sections in the blink of an eye.
Mobile barcode scanning speeds up workflows and simplifies retail shelf space optimization. There are numerous advantages over manual workflows or those using legacy handheld scanners:
- Real-time inventory updates: Employees can scan product barcodes on the go, ensuring up-to-date inventory data. This reduces overstocking or stockouts and enables swift reactions to demand spikes or drops.
- Faster stocktaking and replenishment: Mobile barcode scanners typically offer high-speed barcode scanning and data transfer. Compared to manual methods or dedicated scanner devices, this enables more frequent and efficient shelf checks. Consequently, shelves will always be stocked with the right products, maximizing sales opportunities.
- Cost-effective and flexible: Using smartphones for barcode scanning eliminates the need for expensive dedicated hardware and shortens employee training time, as they are more intuitive. As deployment is just an app install, they are a scalable solution for retailers of all sizes.
- Accurate data updates: With precise, up-to-date data from mobile scanning, retailers can analyze which products are moving fastest and adjust shelf layouts accordingly, dedicating more space to bestsellers and reducing space for slow-moving products. Furthermore, they can verify that products and respective price tags are placed correctly.
- Improved operational efficiency: With mobile barcode scanning, staff can quickly identify out-of-stock items, misplaced products, or incorrect pricing, and take immediate corrective action.
- Reduced staff workload: The freed-up time can be allocated to other crucial tasks, such as customer service.
Smarter shelf space optimization with the Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK
Streamline your shelf inventory management and improve operational efficiency with the Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK! Thanks to customizable Ready-to-Use UI components, you can integrate it into your mobile or web app in no time.
It comes with extensive features that streamline stocktaking and inventory workflows. For instance, Multi Scanning enables the simultaneous scanning of multiple barcodes. In shelf inventory management, an employee can swiftly scan 1D or 2D barcodes on products and shelves, and get real-time visual feedback.
The SDK’s advanced computer vision ensures accurate scanning even of scratched, distorted, poorly printed, or blurry barcodes, ideal for retail settings.
You get all of this and more for a flat annual fee, without device or usage tracking.
Experience how the SDK works for yourself with our free barcode scanner demo apps. If you have any questions, message us at skd@scanbot.io.
