Retailers understand how crucial inventory is; running out of stock can directly affect daily profits. Without products on the shelves, no sales can be made. Retail inventory management systems help businesses reduce the time spent tracking stock levels. Retail inventory management systems (IMS) help track stock levels, manage reorders, forecast demand, and integrate with other business tools like point-of-sale (POS) systems and accounting software.
Here are the top 20 best retail inventory management systems that help you make an informed decision about your business.
1. Cin7
Cin7 provides a cloud-based solution with a built-in POS system. It allows users to track stock, automate reordering, and integrate seamlessly with e-commerce platforms. Designed as an all-in-one tool, it supports inventory, sales, and supply chain management. Aimed at small to mid-sized businesses across various sectors like fashion, food and beverage, and electronics, Cin7’s versatility makes it an ideal option for retailers seeking a comprehensive, scalable system to grow their business.
2. Fishbowl
Fishbowl Inventory is available as both an on-premises and cloud-based solution. It focuses on managing warehouse and manufacturing inventories, offering key features like barcode scanning, asset tracking, and work order management. In addition, the software integrates with QuickBooks, ensuring compatibility for businesses already using it.
3. Lightspeed
Lighthouse is a flexible cloud-based Point of Sale (POS) system specifically made to serve the needs of retailers in multiple industries. In addition, it offers features like stock control and multi-channel inventory management, which makes it ideal for businesses that sell products on various platforms. Furthermore, Lighthouse can be accessed via both the mobile app and the web.
4. Revel
Revel Systems provides a POS solution designed for various industries, including specialty retail, quick-service, and full-service restaurants. Moreover, its retail inventory management integrates smoothly with key features like delivery coordination and employee management. In addition to this, the platform excels in areas like intuitive sales reporting, effective inventory management, customer relationship management, and a highly user-friendly interface.
5. inFlow
inFlow Inventory provides a complete solution for managing inventory and orders. It equips small and medium-sized businesses with both software and hardware tools to monitor products, sales, and production. With features like real-time stock tracking, barcode scanning, and detailed reporting, it serves as a robust, all-in-one system for inventory management.
6. Ordoro
Ordoro unifies your inventory management by integrating various channels, including marketplaces, online stores, and suppliers, into a single app for seamless multichannel connectivity. It empowers small to medium-sized businesses to oversee operations, covering everything from inventory management to order fulfillment and shipping. Additionally, Ordoro generates analytics and reports to assist in strategizing for future growth and supports dropshipping ventures.
7. NetSuite
NetSuite offers businesses a unified, view of their inventory across all locations and sales channels. This helps reduce excess stock, freeing up cash while preventing stockouts. By maintaining optimal inventory levels and ensuring products are available across various channels, NetSuite enables businesses to lower inventory costs and still meet customer demands.
8. Katana
Katana’s retail inventory software allows you to monitor every inventory movement, manage demand forecasts, and establish reorder points as well as safety stock levels. It integrates with popular e-commerce platforms, keeping your inventory and sales data in sync. Designed for transparency and efficiency, Katana enhances production processes and offers a high level of customization. It also easily connects with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce for easy management.
9. Odoo
Odoo serves as both an inventory management tool and a warehouse management system. Users can efficiently control lead times, automate stock replenishment, and set up complex routing. Its standout features include real-time tracking, automated workflows, and advanced routing options such as drop-shipping and cross-docking.
10. Sortly
Sortly inventory tracking software simplifies managing your entire inventory from any device, no matter where you are. Whether using a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, you can conveniently handle your inventory. It enables you to monitor supplies, materials, parts, equipment, tools, or any other items effectively. This solution is ideal for small businesses looking to overhaul their inventory management processes.
11. Shopify
Shopify inventory management software helps Shopify store owners track, organize, and manage their product stock levels and orders. If you use the Shopify platform, the built-in inventory management features, included in the monthly fee, are available. You can set up inventory tracking, view stock levels, and adjust them directly in the Inventory section of Shopify.
12. Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory provides free inventory management software, allowing small and growing businesses to efficiently manage their stock across various channels and devices. As a cloud-based platform, it offers features such as multichannel selling, shipping integrations, and inventory control. The software is designed to be user-friendly and scalable, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
13. Sumtracker
Sumtracker offers easy-to-use and affordable inventory management software designed for small businesses. It uses historical data to generate reports on days of inventory remaining and enables users to receive partial stock for purchase orders. Additionally, Sumtracker integrates with eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and Amazon FBA.
14. Square
Square POS offers more than just payment processing by providing built-in tools for inventory management. It allows real-time sales tracking, stock-level reporting, low-stock alerts, and easy data export to spreadsheets. Additionally, it integrates with popular third-party inventory management systems, enabling businesses to manage everything from one platform.
15. ShipHero
The system allows users to track inventory, manage stock, generate reports, and enhance forecast accuracy with real-time data for e-commerce businesses. It features batch shipping, barcode scanning, and outsourced fulfillment. ShipHero, tailored for small to medium-sized e-commerce companies, emphasizes efficiency and accuracy in inventory management and shipping, simplifying online selling for faster and more cost-effective operations.
16. RightControl
RightControl offers reliable and user-friendly retail inventory software. Its primary function is to track inventory effectively. Targeted at intermediate users familiar with older software, RightControl is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses and provides essential retail inventory management software needs.
17. QuickBooks Commerce
QuickBooks enables you to track inventory value, enhancing your inventory management. This ability is crucial for planning and keeping your inventory costs current. As a result, you achieve greater accuracy in inventory costs, allowing for more precise planning of inventory expenses.
18. Stitch Labs
Stitch Labs offers an integrated, cloud-based inventory and order management solution designed for mid-sized, multi-channel retail brands. This platform allows businesses to monitor their inventory across multiple sales channels, including eBay, Amazon, and Shopify. With features like inventory forecasting, order tracking, and vendor management, Stitch Labs is an excellent choice for retailers looking to expand.
19. SalesWarp
SalesWarp provides a cloud-based inventory and order management solution that helps small, midsize, and enterprise retailers grow their sales channels and integrate customer intelligence. With SalesWarp, retailers can access a centralized commerce management system that simplifies operations across fulfillment channels and sales locations, enhances data flow, and removes manual processes.
20. Unleashed
Unleashed Software provides a cloud-based inventory management platform featuring real-time inventory control, reporting, and multi-currency support. This platform specifically caters to businesses involved in manufacturing, wholesale, or retail. Unleashed integrates with accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks, as well as eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
Transitioning from manual inventory methods to digital inventory tools significantly enhances your business’s efficiency and automation capabilities. By using these advanced solutions, you improve operations, reduce human error, and gain insights into your stock levels. Whether you choose retail inventory management systems from this curated list, you’ll be equipped to optimize your inventory processes. This shift not only promotes a leaner operation but also allows you to focus on strategic growth and customer satisfaction.