Set Reorder Thresholds So You Never Stock Out
How to use AskBiz POS low stock alerts and the inventory filter to spot which products need reordering before a customer asks for something you don't have.
Key Takeaways
- The 'Low stock' tab in Operations > Inventory shows every product below its reorder threshold in one click.
- AskBiz automatically flags products as LOW when stock drops below the threshold you set per product.
- Check the Low Stock tab every morning as part of your daily brief — it takes under 30 seconds.
- The Overview tab shows the total low-stock count so you know at a glance if action is needed.
The most expensive mistake in retail: running out of stock
A customer who asks for something you don't have doesn't just lose you one sale — they often don't come back. Yet most stock-outs are entirely predictable: if you can see a product's current quantity, you know it will hit zero before the next delivery arrives. AskBiz's Low Stock filter makes this visible in one click. The businesses that use this feature daily virtually eliminate avoidable stock-outs.
Step 1 — Set a reorder threshold for every fast-moving product
Go to Operations > Inventory. Click 'Edit' next to any product. In the product settings, set a 'Reorder level' — the quantity at which AskBiz marks the product as LOW. For a product that sells 10 units per day and takes 2 days to restock, set the reorder level to 25 (10 × 2 days + 5 buffer). AskBiz immediately flags the product as LOW in the inventory list the moment stock drops to or below this number.
Step 2 — Open the Low Stock tab every morning
Go to Operations > Inventory and click the 'Low stock' filter tab. Every product currently at or below its reorder threshold appears here with the LOW badge. This view shows product name, branch, current quantity, price, and cost. With this filter active, you have a ready-made restock order: these are the products to call your supplier about today. The list updates in real time as sales happen, so a product that crosses the threshold during the day appears automatically.
Free — no card needed
See this in action for your business
AskBiz tracks these metrics automatically — just connect your data and start asking questions.
Start for free →Step 3 — Use the Overview Low Stock count as your morning indicator
The POS Overview tab (the first screen you see) shows a 'Low stock' number in the top metrics row — currently showing 46 products at this business. If that number is non-zero when you arrive in the morning, open the Low Stock tab in Inventory before doing anything else. If it's zero, your stock is healthy and no restocking action is needed today. This two-second check replaces a morning walkthrough of the entire shop floor.
Step 4 — Build your restock order from the Low Stock list
With the Low Stock filter open, note the products, their current quantities, and your typical order amounts. Contact your supplier with this list — either by phone, WhatsApp, or email. Specify the quantity needed to return each item to its safe stock level (reorder level + 2–3 weeks of expected sales). Once stock arrives, update quantities via Inventory > Edit or by scanning the delivery with 'Scan to add'. The LOW badge disappears automatically.
Advanced — Use 'Out of stock' tab for emergencies
The 'Out of stock' tab in Inventory shows products that have already hit zero. These are products a customer cannot buy today. If you see items here when you arrive, they need same-day emergency restocking or removal from display. Consider using the product's AskBiz page to add a note to the name (e.g. 'Basmati Rice — AWAITING STOCK') so cashiers don't attempt to sell it at the till. Remove the note once restocked.