Stocktaking
Do stocktaking properly - every time
Stocktaking is a fact of life for retailers. For many, a full annual stocktake remains essential for financial control and confidence in stock data.
Futura is designed to support stocktaking done well, whether that’s a traditional annual count, smaller targeted counts during the year, or a combination of both. By improving visibility and accuracy throughout the year, Futura helps make stocktaking a more controlled, predictable process with fewer surprises.
Talk to us about stocktaking
Whether you run a full annual stocktake or smaller checks during the year, Futura helps retailers improve accuracy, reduce risk, and remove the stress from stocktaking.
A practical view of stocktaking in retail
Most retailers know the pressure that comes with stocktaking – long days, disrupted trading, and the risk of unexpected variances appearing late in the process.
Often, the challenge isn’t the stocktake itself, but the lack of regular checking and visibility during the year. Issues build up quietly, only to surface when it matters most.
Futura recognise how retailers actually operate and providing the structure needed to improve outcomes without unnecessary disruption. Supporting full annual stocktakes alongside rolling stocktakes to reduce risk and improve accuracy throughout the year.
Supporting both approaches - flexible stocktaking to suit your operation
Annual ‘full’ stocktakes
For retailers who carry out a full annual count, Futura provides a structured, controlled process that supports:
- Full or partial counts by category, department, or location
- Consistent execution across multiple stores
- Clear auditability and confidence in final results
Rolling stock checks (cyclical stock checks)
Smaller, targeted counts during the year to reduce risk and improve accuracy.
This approach helps to:
- Identify issues earlier
- Reduce the scale of investigation required at year end
- Make the annual stocktake a calmer, more predictable event
Why this matters
Run full, partial, and rolling stocktakes across stores and departments.
Improved stock accuracy
Regular checking reduces the likelihood of large, unexpected variances.
Better control
Identify and resolve stock issues earlier, before they become bigger problems.
Less disruption
Smaller, targeted checks reduce disruption to daily trading.
Consistency at scale
Clear, consistent stocktaking practices across all locations.
Stocktaking as part of a wider stock strategy
Stocktaking is most effective when it’s supported by strong stock control and regular visibility throughout the year.
Retailers using Futura often find that:
- Issues are addressed earlier
- Stock data becomes more reliable
- The annual stocktake becomes a confirmation – not a correction exercise
This shift helps teams spend less time firefighting and more time focusing on trading performance.
Scheduled rolling stock checks with Futura4Scan
For retailers looking to introduce rolling or cyclical stock checks, Futura4Scan provides the in-store tools that make this practical at scale.
Using mobile scanning and centrally managed scheduling, Futura4Scan supports:
- Smaller, targeted counts by category or location
- Greater control and visibility for head office
- Faster, more accurate in-store execution
Rolling stocktakes can be carried out using standard stocktaking and barcode scanning workflows, while Futura4Scan adds central scheduling, task management, and guided execution for larger multi-store operations.
Cyclical stock checks don’t replace the annual stocktake — they make it easier.
Designed for multi-store retail
Futura is trusted by retailers operating multiple stores, high SKU counts, and complex stock movements.
Stocktaking is centrally governed, ensuring:
- A single, trusted view of inventory
- Consistent processes across all locations
- Scalability as your estate grows
Whether carrying out full stocktakes, partial counts, or rolling stock checks, Futura provides a solid foundation for maintaining stock accuracy across the business
Stock taking - Frequently Asked Questions
Do rolling stocktakes replace the annual stocktake?
No. Many retailers continue to carry out a full annual stocktake for financial control and auditing purposes. Rolling stocktakes help identify and correct issues earlier, making the annual stocktake more manageable and reducing unexpected variances.
Can stocktakes be carried out during normal trading?
Yes. Futura supports smaller, targeted stock checks that can be completed during normal trading, helping minimise disruption to store operations.
Can we perform partial stocktakes by department or category?
Yes. Futura supports full stocktakes, partial counts, and rolling stock checks across selected departments, categories, or locations, allowing retailers to focus effort where it’s needed most.
Does Futura support barcode scanning for stocktaking?
Yes. Stocktakes can be completed in store using barcode scanning with Futura4Scan and Mobile Barcode Inventory tools, helping improve speed and reduce manual counting errors.
Can head office centrally manage rolling stocktakes?
Yes. Head office teams can centrally control both standard stocktakes and rolling stock checks within Futura.
Using Branch Inventory within Futura4Scan, head office can schedule smaller, targeted stock checks across multiple stores, with tasks delivered directly to handheld scanning devices.
Unlike a traditional stocktake, which formally updates stock levels and can generate write-offs or adjustments, rolling stock checks are designed to identify and correct discrepancies as part of ongoing stock accuracy management throughout the year.
Do we need handheld scanners to use Futura stocktaking?
No. Futura stocktaking can still be carried out using traditional count sheets if preferred.
However, many retailers choose to use barcode scanning to improve speed, accuracy, and ease of use in store, particularly for partial counts and rolling stock checks.