What is retail inventory software?

Retail inventory software is a specialized tool that enables stores to efficiently manage and track their stock levels. Inventory management software helps retailers maintain accurate records of their inventory, streamline operations and optimize their stock based on sales trends and forecasts. Stores can keep track of inventory using inventory management systems that monitor stock levels, manage reordering and track sales. Systems like Lightspeed update in real time, ensuring that sales and stock levels are always synchronized. It also provides analytics to help retailers make informed decisions about stock replenishment and markdowns. An inventory tracking system is a part of inventory management that focuses specifically on monitoring the quantities of goods in stock, and potentially their location within a store or warehouse. A POS (Point of Sale) inventory management system integrates the sales and inventory functions, enabling real-time tracking of inventory as sales occur. This system helps retailers understand what is selling well and what isn’t, allowing them to adjust purchasing and marketing strategies accordingly. It simplifies the sales process by automatically updating inventory levels as transactions are processed at the point of sale. This system is crucial for retailers to ensure they have the right products in the right quantities at the right time, maximizing sales potential and minimizing holding costs.

Which inventory system is best for a small business?

Choosing the best inventory system for a small business depends on several factors, including the business's size, budget and specific operational needs. Software for inventory management should offer features like automatic stock level updates, multi-channel sales integration, supplier and purchase order management, and detailed analytics on inventory turnover and sales trends. The ideal software also includes forecasting tools to help predict future sales and inventory needs based on historical data. To pick the right system for your business: 1. Assess needs: determine what features are most important for your business, such as sales tracking, order management or customer data integration. 2. Choose software: select software that fits your budget and meets your identified needs. It should allow for easy input and tracking of inventory, sales monitoring and data analysis. 3. Set up and integration: implement the software, set up product categories and integrate it with other systems like accounting or customer relationship management (CRM) if necessary. Look for professional onboarding services from your POS provider to speed up the process. 4. Train: train staff on how to use the system efficiently to ensure accuracy in data entry and operations. Your POS provider may be able to assist.

Which is the best inventory management software for wholesale and retail businesses?

The best software for wholesale and retail is one that combines POS functionalities with inventory management in a single interface. Look for features like multi store management, ecommerce integration and mobile accessibility, which allow retail managers to oversee their operations on the go. Effective software also provides detailed reports that aid in making informed purchasing decisions and optimizing product placement and promotions based on data-driven insights. Selecting the best inventory management software for both wholesale and retail businesses is crucial for streamlining operations, reducing costs and enhancing customer satisfaction. Effective inventory management software should cater to the unique needs of both sectors, supporting extensive inventory volumes for wholesalers and diverse product assortments for retailers. Retailers can manage their inventory efficiently by implementing software that offers real-time tracking, automated restocking alerts and detailed analytics on sales patterns and customer preferences. Wholesalers typically manage large volumes of products and require robust software that can handle bulk processing and track inventory across multiple locations. Essential features include batch tracking, barcode scanning and integration with supply chain management tools.

Can I connect my retail inventory to ecommerce through Lightspeed?

Yes, you can connect your retail inventory to ecommerce with Lightspeed. Lightspeed Retail and Lightspeed eCom are an integrated system that allow you to manage your inventory data for both sales channels from one platform. You'll be able to connect your webstore with your brick and mortar location's inventory for streamlined sales and stock management.

How can I migrate inventory data to Lightspeed?

You can quickly transition to Lightspeed Retail by using a spreadsheet to import your inventory. Learn more about importing products to Lightspeed Retail (X-Series) here.

Retail inventory management software

Try it free Talk to an expert

Manage all your stock all from a single inventory POS system.

Connect with suppliers

Browse and buy from built-in supplier catalogs to save time and effort.

Speed up ordering

Order new inventory in seconds with built-in purchase orders.

Track inventory across channels

Online, in store, across the city, on social media or marketplaces—manage everything from a unified system.

Avoid out-of-stocks

Set reorder points and use low stock alerts to keep on top of inventory.

Keep on top of counts

Say goodbye to inventory shrinkage with easy-to-use inventory counting tools.

Easily update prices

Make price changes across your entire business with just a click.

Automate your supplier information with B2B Catalog

Access thousands of products synced straight to your POS with our B2B catalog. Add pre-loaded product information from your suppliers to your POS, saving time and ensuring your product data is accurate.

Add key product information from thousands of popular suppliers to your POS with a single click
When receiving products or adding products to a PO, you can search the B2B Catalog for a product by name, keyword or UPC
Import all the product data a brand has uploaded on the product, including UPC, MSRP, description, image and name

Order new stock right from your inventory tracking system.

Running low? Order new stock directly from Lightspeed Retail.

Save time
Order directly from Lightspeed Retail with built-in purchase orders.

Order for every store
Manage purchasing for multiple locations.

Make the sale
Easily fulfill and deliver special orders for customers.

Try it for free

Across the board, what we really like about it is the fact that we're able to arrange our products and organize our products nicely in Lightspeed.

Ben Nourse, Co-Owner, Borrego Outfitters

See the case study

Retail inventory management software to track stock across channels.

Manage everything—from adding new products to creating variants and monitoring stock levels—in seconds with a powerful cloud-based inventory system that unites all your channels in a single system.

Track inventory levels and SKUs across multiple locations, no matter where you are
Create product variants to manage different sizes, colours and more
Identify inventory with unique serial numbers in any of your locations from a single search

Learn more

Quickly manage products and prices with a unified inventory tracking system.

Have full control over how you sell and how much you charge with inventory management software that helps you optimize the sales floor. Manage discounts and promotions, set up seasonal promotions in advance and much more.

Use our product import tool to upload new products instantly
Make bulk pricing changes to adjust prices across all your channels at once
Use price books to offer special pricing and loyalty reward amounts

Talk to an expert

What do you sell?

Apparel and Shoes Bike CBD Electronics Health and supplements Home decor Jewelry Pet Sporting goods Toy Vape

Try Lightspeed Retail for free

Become the go-to retailer with Lightspeed’s complete solution. 14-day trial. Unlimited access to all features. No credit card required.

Full name

Please enter your full name

Email address

Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid domain.

Phone number

Please enter a valid phone number

Company

Please enter a valid company name

Business type

Please choose a business type Oops! Lightspeed does not serve the Automotive, Powersports, Marine, or recreational Vehicle industries. If you are looking for a Dealer Management Solution, please visit ADP Lightspeed here (not affiliated with Lightspeed POS).

What is your annual revenue?

Please choose an option

.retail.lightspeed.app Store URL

Please provide a valid store URL. Minimum of 5 characters, all lowercase, no spaces, no special characters. This store URL is unavailable, please try another one.

Password

Minimum of 10 characters - 1 uppercase, 1 lowercase, and 1 digit. Must not contain any of the following (<, >, “, ’, &)

I’d like to be kept in the loop about Lightspeed’s deals.

Please complete the reCaptcha challenge

By clicking Get started you agree to the
Terms of Service and privacy policy .

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive text messages about Lightspeed deals. Your data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Message/data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text STOP to unsubscribe at any time.