Stock Control for Grooming Salons: Never Run Out of Shampoo Again

Running out of your favourite shampoo halfway through a Saturday is stressful. So is finding three boxes of an expired product at the back of the cupboard. Stock control doesn't need to be complicated, but a few simple habits save money, reduce waste and make sure you always have what you need.

Two kinds of stock

Most grooming businesses have two types of stock. Salon supplies, such as shampoos, conditioners, towels, blades and cleaning products, are used by your groomers. Retail stock, such as brushes, treats and coat sprays, is sold to clients. They behave differently, so track them slightly differently.

Know what you have

Start with a list of everything you stock, with the quantity on hand, the supplier, the cost price and, for retail items, the selling price. This first count takes an hour or two. After that, keeping it up to date is much easier.

Set reorder points

A reorder point is the level at which you order more. For example, if you use one bottle of shampoo a week and delivery takes a week, reorder when you're down to two. Set a reorder point for every important item, and check the list each week.

Let sales update your stock

For retail, the easiest way to stay accurate is to have every sale reduce your stock automatically. In PetConnect, retail sales, returns and online orders update stock levels, so you can see what's left without counting shelves.

Do regular stocktakes

Even with automatic tracking, counts drift: breakages, samples, items used in the salon instead of sold. Do a quick count of retail stock monthly and a full stocktake every few months. Fix any differences and look for patterns, such as a product that keeps going missing.

Watch expiry dates

Shampoos, treats and some treatments expire. Store new stock behind old so the oldest is used first. Check expiry dates during stocktakes and use or discount anything close to its date.

Don't overbuy

Bulk discounts are tempting, but stock sitting on shelves is money you can't use elsewhere. Buy bulk only for items you use quickly and that won't expire. For retail, start small and reorder what sells.

Work with your suppliers

Good suppliers make stock control easier. Ask about delivery times, minimum orders and whether they can deliver on a regular schedule. Keep supplier details in one place, along with what you usually order from each.

Track salon usage

Salon supplies are harder to track because they're used, not sold. A simple approach is to note when you open a new bottle or box. Over a few weeks, you'll know how much you use per week and can order accordingly. If usage suddenly jumps, check whether products are being wasted.

Know your best and worst sellers

Every month, look at which retail products sell and which don't. Reorder the winners, discount or drop the slow sellers, and try a new line occasionally. Your shelves should earn their space.

Stock across locations and vans

If you have several locations or vans, track stock separately for each. Record transfers between sites. It's the only way to know what each location really uses and sells.

GST and records

Keep invoices for everything you buy. If you're registered for GST, you can generally claim GST on business purchases, and you charge GST on most retail sales. Clear stock and sales records make your Business Activity Statement much simpler.

Keep it simple

The best stock system is one you'll actually use. Start with your top twenty items, set reorder points and check them weekly. Once that's a habit, add the rest. A little routine goes a long way.

Set par levels for your busiest weeks

A par level is the amount of an item you want on hand at the start of each week. Set par levels a little higher before your busy seasons, such as the weeks before Christmas and the spring shedding rush, when you'll use more shampoo, conditioner and towels than usual. Running short during your busiest week is the most expensive time to run out.

Give someone the job

Stock control works best when one person is responsible. It doesn't have to be the owner. A reliable team member who checks levels each week and places orders keeps things running smoothly, and everyone else knows who to tell when something is running low. Keep a simple "running low" list in the staff area so anyone can add to it.

Use reports to order smarter

After a few months of tracking, your sales reports show exactly how fast each product moves. Use them to set reorder points and quantities, rather than guessing. Ordering the right amount at the right time means less money sitting on shelves and fewer empty spaces.

See how stock and retail work together in PetConnect on our inventory and stock page, or read our retail starter guide.