From inefficiency to excellence: A smarter inventory solution for convenience stores

Challenge

Labor-intensive inventory management hurting store efficiency.

Before partnering with OrderGrid, the Midwest convenience store chain faced several key challenges:

• Inventory Inaccuracies: Manual tracking led to inaccurate inventory levels, with best-selling items frequently running out and slow-moving products piling up, tying up capital and reducing sales.
• Shrinkage & Waste: Poor expiration tracking resulted in unsellable products, while limited visibility into inventory movement made it hard to control theft and loss.
• Labor Inefficiencies: Staff spent excessive time manually checking stock and placing orders, taking time away from customer service and store operations.
• Operational Complexity: Without an efficient system in place, managers struggled to oversee stock levels, replenishment, and labor distribution across locations.

OrderGrid solution

‍Cutting labor costs & boosting inventory accuracy with AI-driven tools.

Real-Time Inventory Tracking
OrderGrid’s platform provided live visibility into inventory levels across all five locations, reducing errors and improving accuracy.

AI-Powered Replenishment
Automated stock forecasting and replenishment recommendations helped managers place smarter orders, reducing excess stock and preventing stockouts on high-demand items.

Shrinkage Reduction Tools
Expiration tracking and smart stocking strategies flagged aging products, allowing stores to discount and sell before spoilage.

Labor Optimization
By automating stock checks and replenishment, OrderGrid reduced the time staff spent on manual inventory tasks, allowing them to focus on customer service and in-store efficiency.

Centralized Reporting & Insights
Comprehensive dashboards empowered store managers with real-time data to identify sales trends, optimize product mix, compare store performance and make data-driven decisions to boost profitability.

Impact

More efficient labor allocation
By automating inventory tasks, stores cut time spent on inventory management by 22-25%, allowing staff to focus on customer service and in-store operations. Each store manager saved an average of 6.5 hours per week on manual stock counts and ordering.

Reduced Waste and Shrinkage
With advanced inventory tracking and waste management tools, the chain reduced shrinkage by 18%, saving thousands of dollars annually.

Increased Sales from Stock Availability
With improved inventory accuracy and replenishment automation, the chain increased revenue from high-demand products by 3-5%, reducing lost sales due to stockouts.

Lower Inventory Discrepancies
Inventory accuracy improved from 93% to over 98%, ensuring stock counts aligned with what was actually available on the shelves. This reduced manual inventory corrections and improved ordering accuracy.

“OrderGrid gave us the tools to stay on top of stock and reduce the time our team spends on manual counts and orders. It’s made our day-to-day so much smoother.”

Conclusion

Driving smarter inventory decisions for better business outcomes

OrderGrid’s AI-powered inventory management solutions transformed how this Midwest-based convenience store chain handled their inventory. By improving stock accuracy, reducing shrinkage, and freeing up labor, the chain was able to improve profitability without increasing costs.

With more time to focus on customer service and in-store efficiency, store managers and staff are no longer weighed down by inefficient inventory processes. As they continue to improve operations, OrderGrid remains a trusted partner in helping them run smarter, more profitable stores.