How do I check an eyewear shop’s slow-moving frame stock?

Begin with a physical count. Walk the displays and the back room with the stock list in hand. Note any frames that appear on the list but not on the shelf, and any on the shelf that are missing from the list. Ask how often the shop counts and who checks.

Next, look at age. Ask for a report that shows when each style arrived and when one last sold. Older styles tend to cluster at the back of displays or in drawers. Look for last season’s colours and discontinued shapes. Ask how the shop has cleared slow stock before, such as sales, bundling or sending frames back.

Then look at the supplier terms. Ask whether each brand takes returns, allows swaps or leaves the shop holding what it bought. Finally, ask how the shop records slow stock in its books. Your accountant can explain how that affects what you see. Do not accept a stock figure you have not counted yourself, and ask the seller to explain any difference you find between the shelf and the list. Also look at the condition of the frames. Scratched, dusty or out-of-date styles are harder to sell, whatever the books say. Ask whether the shop has a plan for clearing them, and consider asking the seller to deal with them before closing.

Key takeaways

• Count stock yourself and match it to the list.
• Sort by age and by supplier return terms.
• Ask how past slow stock was cleared and recorded.