How to track inventory using Amazon’s mobile app

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Amazon, the giant e-commerce platform, doesn’t just cater to consumers looking to purchase products; it also provides a robust suite of tools for sellers to manage their inventory efficiently. With the increasing reliance on mobile devices, Amazon’s mobile app has become an essential tool for sellers wanting to track their inventory on the go. This guide will take a deep dive into how to effectively use Amazon’s mobile app for inventory management, ensuring you can monitor stock levels, analyze sales performance, and optimize inventory management strategies.

Setting Up Your Amazon Seller Account

Before diving into using the app, it’s crucial to ensure that you have an Amazon Seller account. The app is designed primarily for sellers who manage their inventory through the Amazon marketplace. If you haven’t created an account yet:

  1. Create an Amazon Seller Account:
    • Visit the Amazon Seller Central website.
    • Choose between an Individual or Professional selling plan and complete the registration process.
  2. Download the Amazon Seller App:
    • The app is available for both Android and iOS devices. Search for “Amazon Seller” in your device’s app store and install it.
  3. Sign in:
    • After downloading, log in using your Amazon Seller account credentials.

Navigating the Amazon Seller App

Upon logging into the app, you’ll encounter a user-friendly interface designed to help sellers manage their demands efficiently. Here’s an overview of the primary features that facilitate inventory tracking:

  1. Dashboard Overview:
    • The homepage typically displays key metrics such as sales, orders, and inventory status. This overview gives you a snapshot of your current inventory health and performance.
  2. Inventory Section:
    • Navigate to the Inventory section which lists all the products you have listed on Amazon. This is the heart of your inventory management process.
  3. Search Functionality:
    • The app provides a robust search functionality. You can quickly locate specific products by entering their name, SKU, or ASIN, saving time in larger inventories.

Tracking Your Inventory

Once you’re familiar with the interface, you can begin tracking your inventory effectively. Here’s how:

  1. View Inventory Levels:
    • By tapping on the Inventory section, you will see a list of all your products, including details such as SKU, condition (new vs. used), and available stock.
    • You can customize the view to show low-stock items, which is crucial for timely reordering.
  2. Managing Stock Levels:
    • Each product entry will display its stock levels. When stock levels fall below a specific threshold you have set (for example, 10 units), you can receive notifications to alert you to restock.
  3. Set Up Restock Alerts:
    • Within the app, you can set custom restock alerts for products. This ensures you receive notifications when it’s time to reorder stock, helping to prevent stockouts.
  4. Inventory Management Reports:
    • Access detailed inventory reports that provide insights into stock levels, sales velocity, and turnover rates. This data is crucial for understanding which products are performing well and which may need adjustments.
  5. Fulfillment Options:
    • If you are using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), the app enables you to monitor your inventory levels stored in Amazon warehouses. You can check the status of your shipments and confirm when your inventory is received.
  6. Bulk Editing:
    • If you need to adjust multiple listings, use the bulk editing feature. This allows you to update inventory levels across several products simultaneously, streamlining your workflow.

Analyzing Sales Performance

To track inventory effectively, you must also analyze your sales performance in relation to your stock levels. The Amazon Seller app provides several tools to help with this:

  1. Sales Dashboard:
    • The app includes a Sales dashboard that shows your daily, weekly, and monthly sales figures. This information is valuable in understanding how well your inventory is selling.
  2. Trend Analysis:
    • Utilize the trend analysis tools to identify patterns in your sales. This data is essential for forecasting future inventory needs based on historical sales data.
  3. Sales Alerts:
    • Set up alerts for significant changes in sales figures. For example, if a product experiences a sudden spike in sales, you’ll need to prepare for increased inventory demands.
  4. Review Customer Feedback:
    • Customer reviews and feedback can influence sales. Use the app to monitor comments on your products, allowing you to adjust inventory or product listings based on customer sentiments and needs.

Optimizing Inventory Management StrategiesThe ultimate goal of tracking inventory with Amazon’s mobile app is to optimize your inventory management strategies. Here are strategies to implement based on the app’s features:

  1. Just-In-Time Inventory Management:
    • Use the insights from your sales velocity to implement a just-in-time (JIT) inventory strategy. This means you only reorder stock as you need it, reducing holding costs.
  2. Seasonal Stock Management:
    • Analyze trends over different seasons to adjust your inventory levels. For instance, certain products may sell better during holidays; thus, you should stock up in advance.
  3. Utilize Inventory Forecasting:
    • Leverage historical sales data to forecast future inventory needs. This can prevent overstocking and understocking situations, ensuring your investment aligns with demand.
  4. Diversify Your Product Range:
    • Keep an eye on emerging trends from your inventory analytics. Consider diversifying your product range based on what’s popular or declining to optimize sales opportunities.
  5. Effective Pricing Strategies:
    • Use insights from sales performance to inform your pricing strategies. If a particular product is selling slowly, consider temporary price reductions to boost sales and free up inventory.

Collaboration with Amazon Services

Most importantly, integrate the app into your broader business strategy by leveraging Amazon’s ecosystem. For example:

  1. Fulfillment Services:
    • Consider using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to allow Amazon to handle logistics, making inventory tracking a more manageable task.
  2. Amazon Advertising:
    • Promote products that are low in stock but have high sales potential using Amazon’s advertising services, which can drive demand and help manage inventory levels effectively.
  3. Keep Up with Changes:
    • Amazon continuously updates its services, which may affect how inventory is managed. Regularly check for updates or new features within the app to utilize the latest tools.

Tracking inventory using Amazon’s mobile app can significantly improve your inventory management process. The ability to manage stock levels, analyze sales performance, and implement optimizations at any time or place can lead to increased efficiency and profitability. By setting up your account, understanding the app’s features, analyzing data, and applying effective inventory strategies, you can harness the full power of Amazon’s platform to ensure your business runs smoothly. As a seller, being proactive and leveraging technology such as the Amazon Seller app is crucial in navigating the complexities of e-commerce effectively. So, download the app today and take your inventory management to the next level

Categories: Digital Marketing