The Retail Inventory Method (RIM) enjoys some popularity among businesses due to its value in providing informed estimates of the inventory, especially while dealing with time limitation and/or pipeline inventory. While it has some notable pros, the method has some limitations as well. This article aims to highlight all the noteworthy details about the retail inventory method, such as who can use it and when and how it can be used.
The retail inventory method is an inventory accounting method used to estimate the ending worth of your merchandise inventory by measuring the cost of inventory with reference to the price of the merchandise. It enables retailers to achieve inventory value estimates in a hassle-free manner.
While retailers in general can use the retail inventory method, it is better suited to specialty retailers, retailers with multiple stores, and those with warehouse stocks, since it’s mainly used while dealing with pipeline inventory or time constraints.
Businesses that deal in products with similar cost-to-retail ratio or markups can benefit more from the RIM. However, if your business involves selling a range of product categories with different markups, then this method won’t be the best choice for you.
If you are a multi-store retailer, running operations in various locations, and often in need of a quick update of your inventory status, RIM will provide you updates at a glance.
The cost of products that are stored in eCommerce warehouses is comparatively less volatile; therefore, the retail inventory method can also offer accurate results to retailers owning warehouse stocks.
Using the Retail Inventory Method requires following a step-by-step procedure:
1. Calculate the cost-to-retail percentage
Cost-to-retail ratio = cost / retail price x 100
2. Determine cost of goods sold (COGS)
Cost of goods sold= beginning inventory cost + cost of purchases
Cost of sales = sales * cost-to-retail percentage
Ending inventory value = cost of goods still available for sale – cost of sales
Using the RIM calculation during times when product markups are volatile isn’t recommended. Now that we know what this technique is and who can take advantage of it, here is info regarding when you should utilize it
When your business requires inventory value estimations
Since the retail inventory method only provides estimated values, and not absolutely accurate readings, it should be used when you need an approximate inventory value. RIM does not provide information regarding damaged, lost, or stolen goods.
When dealing with merchandise that has a consistent mark-up percentage
The retail inventory method is not an appropriate choice for businesses dealing with products that have different markups. However, when the merchandise has a consistent mark-up percentage, you may use this technique.
When you need insights into cost-to-retail ratio
The cost-to-retail ratio informs retailers about the percentage that goods are marked up from the wholesale purchase price to their retail sales price. You can use the retail inventory method to gain insights into this ratio, so you can adjust accordingly.
Advantages of the Retail Inventory Method
Some noteworthy advantages of the RIM are:
Disadvantages of the Retail Inventory Method
The RIM has quite a few limitations that make it a temporary solution that is used as a substitute only. These are:
If you feel that the retail inventory method is for you. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of it.
The retail inventory method is dependent on some statistics such as the value of the beginning inventory, the cost-to-retail ratio, etc. To properly utilize the technique, you need to get the most accurate data, so feel free to use software with robust reporting and analytics capabilities and the ability to produce fast and real-time data.
As stated earlier, the retail inventory method (RIM) is merely an estimation of the ending inventory value and it does not account for lost, stolen, broken, or damaged goods nor does it provide an accurate count of the ending inventory. Therefore, you can not completely replace the physical counting of inventory with this approach. To get accurate results, always pair retail estimates with physical counting when you aren’t running short on time and tally the readings.
The retail inventory method is not a technique that works great as a standalone approach; rather, it has many limitations that require it to be used as part of a bigger and more elaborate inventory management strategy. It’s a useful method, but it’s not perfect and has its limitations. Pair it with a barcode scanner app, physical counts, and an agile retail management system.
When you partner with a 3PL fulfillment center like ShipBots, you get an efficient inventory management system, including barcoding, inventory cycle counts, and retail inventory management. Every item we store, pack, ship and receive are barcoded to ensure accuracy. Our inventory management software also helps you track each and every step of your order fulfillment process. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you optimize your retail fulfillment process.
