What is inventory management software?
Inventory management software helps businesses monitor stock levels, manage purchases, automate reorders, and track movement across stores. Instead of updating spreadsheets, teams use a cloud-based inventory management solution for small businesses to maintain accuracy and reduce manual errors.
Gofrugal integrates POS, purchasing, accounting, ecommerce, mobile apps, and HQ management into a single retail inventory management system so every department stays aligned.
Why do businesses need stock management software?
Businesses need inventory management software to maintain ideal stock levels, automate daily tasks, and prevent costly errors that come from manual tracking. The right system helps you avoid stockouts and overstocking, reduce working capital locked on shelves, and make faster, data-driven decisions.
It also improves efficiency by automating purchase planning, syncing stock across outlets in real time, and detecting discrepancies early through mobile audits. With accurate reports and supplier insights, businesses negotiate better, improve cashier and store performance, and consistently deliver the products customers want - boosting satisfaction and profitability.
- Maintain accurate stock levels across stores with real-time visibility.
- Reduce manual errors and speed up tasks like inward, stock-taking, and transfers.
- Improve cash flow by ordering the right quantity at the right time.
- Streamline operations across retail, restaurant, and multi-store formats.
- Strengthen supplier negotiations with accurate purchase and consumption data.
- Prevent stockouts and excess inventory through smart alerts and AI recommendations.
- Improve store and cashier productivity with clear insights and accurate data.
- Make data-driven decisions with real-time reports and actionable insights.
Who uses inventory management software?
Inventory management software is used by retailers, restaurants, and multi-outlet businesses that need accurate stock visibility, faster decision-making, and automation across daily operations. With real-time tracking, barcode automation, and mobile-first workflows, the right system helps businesses prevent stockouts, reduce waste, and stay consistently profitable.
Retail inventory
management
Retailers use inventory management software to track stock levels, monitor sales, and manage orders with real-time accuracy. It helps maintain ideal inventory levels, reduce stockouts and overstocking, and improve overall product performance across locations. With centralized control, retailers running supermarkets, apparel stores, electronics outlets, and specialty shops can scale easily using multi-store inventory management.
Restaurant inventory management
Restaurants rely on restaurant inventory software to track ingredients, maintain freshness, and minimize waste. Real-time stock updates help kitchen teams avoid shortages, manage expiry, and plan purchases accurately. With better visibility into consumption patterns and cost, restaurants reduce spoilage, protect margins, and make smarter menu planning decisions. Using a mobile inventory management app ensures faster audits and more consistent operations across outlets.
Common inventory management
challenges and solutions
Frequent stockouts during peak hours
AI-powered forecasting and automated reorder levels help maintain optimal stock, reducing stockouts by up to 30%.
Solution:
Easily view, change, and update the BOM for each dish in real time. Check production history and swiftly make decisions to ensure you have the correct ingredients in stock before production.
Excess inventory and dead stock affecting cash flow
Holding too much stock blocks capital and causes waste.
Solution:
Aging analysis, consumption patterns, and smart purchase suggestions reduce excess and slow-moving inventory by 20–25%.
Manual data entry leading to errors and mismatches
Updating spreadsheets or ledgers increases the risk of billing mistakes and reconciliation delays.
Solution:
Barcode-based inward/outward and mobile audits eliminate manual errors by 90% and ensure accurate records.
Lack of real-time visibility across outlets
Multi-store businesses often operate with outdated information or delayed reporting.
Solution:
Centralized multi-store inventory management offers one unified dashboard, ensuring 40% faster decision-making and consistent stock availability across locations.
Time-consuming stock audits and reconciliation
Manual audits take hours, disrupt operations, and lead to continuous mismatch cycles.
Solution:
App-based stock counting and live reconciliation make audits 60% faster, reducing operational effort significantly.
Uncertain purchase planning and supplier dependency
Without proper insights, businesses rely on guesswork and inconsistent supplier communication.
Solution:
Automated purchase orders, reorder alerts, and supplier performance insights ensure accurate, timely procurement.
Benefits of using inventory management software
Real-time stock accuracy
Maintain precise stock levels across all outlets. Businesses using real-time tracking reduce stock mismatches by up to 50%, improving ordering accuracy and customer satisfaction.
Expiry & batch control
Track batches, expiration dates, and shelf positions effortlessly. Stores using automated expiry management lower product losses by 20–30% every month.
AI demand forecasting
AI-based forecasting helps prevent up to 30% of stockouts and reduces excess inventory by 25%, saving valuable working capital.
Barcode-based error reduction
Barcode-based inward, outward, and audit processes reduce manual entry errors by 90%, improving inventory accuracy across departments.
Smarter purchase planning
Automated reorder levels and purchase suggestions ensure optimal ordering, helping businesses free up 10–15% of capital tied in slow-moving stock.
Multi-store inventory scaling
Manage multiple outlets from one dashboard. Businesses using centralized HQ control report 40% faster decision-making and consistent stock availability across stores.
Key features of inventory management software
- Multi-store
- Expiry
- Reorder
- Audit
- Inventory
- Analytics
Real-time multi-store inventory management
Gofrugal gives a single, unified dashboard to track stock across all outlets and warehouses in real time. Every inward, outward, sale, return, or transfer updates instantly, ensuring complete visibility and consistent stock health everywhere.
How it works:
Cloud-based inventory syncs live across locations, giving managers accurate stock status without delays or manual consolidation.
Impact:
- Prevent up to 30% stockouts.
- Achieve 100% stock sync across outlets.
- Make decisions 40% faster using unified reports.
Mini use case:
A five-outlet supermarket used real-time visibility to optimize internal transfers and reduce stock shortages during peak hours.
Barcode, batch, and expiry management for error-free operations
Every SKU can be tracked using barcode/EAN scanning, ensuring accurate billing, inward, and auditing. Batch numbers, expiration dates, and pricing details are auto-fetched, eliminating manual entry errors.
How it works:
Staff simply scan items at inward, billing, or audit. The system records batch, expiry, and pricing instantly without manual typing.
Impact:
- 90% fewer manual errors
- 100% accurate stock count using barcode/EAN
- Reduce expiry losses by 20-25%
Mini use case:
A pharmacy chain reduced near-expiry waste by flagging batches early and clearing them with targeted offers.
AI-powered demand forecasting & smart reordering
Gofrugal predicts demand using sales history, seasonality, lead times, and outlet-wise consumption. It recommends optimal reorder quantities and helps prevent both stockouts and excess inventory.
How it works:
AI scans historical data, identifies patterns, and calculates ideal reorder points. Managers get automated suggestions for timely replenishment.
Impact:
- Prevent up to 30% stockouts.
- Reduce excess stock by 25%.
- Improve working capital efficiency.
Mini use case:
A multi-store fashion retailer increased festive-season sales by about 20% using AI-based reorder suggestions.
Mobile-first stock counting with GoSure StockTake
Perform fast, accurate stock audits using a mobile app even during business hours. Smart mode identifies mismatches instantly, helping staff correct them on the spot.
How it works:
Staff scan products with mobile barcode tools. The app logs counts instantly and highlights discrepancies between physical and system stock.
Impact:
- 30% employee cost saving
- 50% faster audits—just 10.2 seconds per item
- 60% higher audit efficiency
Mini use case:
A grocery chain reduced their weekly audit time from eight hours to three hours by shifting to mobile-based stock counting.
Lightning-fast picking & fulfillment with GoSure StockPick
Designed for supermarkets, hypermarkets, and ecommerce fulfillment, StockPick organizes orders and enables scanning-based picking for perfect accuracy.
How it works:
Orders are grouped intelligently, and staff pick items by scanning barcodes, ensuring the correct SKU and quantity every time.
Impact:
- 66% reduction in picking time
- 70% faster order fulfillment
- 100% picking accuracy
Mini use case:
A hyperlocal grocery store doubled order fulfillment capacity during peak hours using StockPick.
Actionable inventory insights & intelligent reporting
Get clear visibility into stock aging, fast/slow movers, stock cover days, purchase patterns, outlet-wise performance, and margin analytics.
How it works:
Every transaction updates reports automatically. Managers access real-time dashboards and export insights for planning.
Impact:
- Improve margin control by 8-12%.
- Reduce dead stock buildup.
- Ensure optimal purchasing and pricing decisions.
Mini use case:
An electronics retailer cleared 12% of their dead stock in 2 weeks using aging analysis and targeted promotions.
How to choose the best
inventory management software
Look for inventory management software that empowers you to digitize operations, improve stock accuracy, and scale your business with ease. The right solution should help you automate daily tasks, reduce errors, and stay profitable across seasons.
What to look for:
- Stock count app for daily auditing, live reconciliation, and real-time accuracy
- Batch, barcode, and expiry tracking with rack/shelf-level visibility
- Customizable inventory and barcode generation to suit your business workflow
- Multi-warehouse and multi-store management from a single platform
- Pricing control and margin protection with clear ROI tracking
- Inventory automation across purchase, inward, outward, and audit workflows
- Smart reports on stock position, fast-moving items, and dead stock
- AI-powered demand forecasting tools to purchase stock at optimal levels
- Scalable multi-store inventory management to support business expansion
- A modern solution, especially one with a mobile-first inventory management app and strong automation, helps you stay efficient, control costs, and grow confidently.
Pricing & cost of inventory management software
Inventory software pricing varies based on features and business size-from stock management software free trials to advanced multi-outlet plans. Gofrugal offers simple, transparent, and scalable pricing so you only pay for what you need.
What Gofrugal offers:
- Free trial to explore the system before you invest
- Clear, transparent pricing with zero hidden charges
- Flexible add-ons for retail, restaurant, and distribution
- Plans that scale with your business-from single stores to multi-outlet chains
Why choose Gofrugal's inventory management software
Streamline operations with high accuracy and low effort
Eliminate manual errors and speed up daily tasks with AI- and ML-based tools. Maintain the right stock at the right time across outlets using smart, automated inventory management software workflows.
Control your inventory from anywhere with a mobile-first app
Use the inventory management app for perpetual stock audits, instant inwards, barcode-based order processing, and dynamic stock refills—ideal for both small businesses and multi-store inventory management.
Make timely, confident decisions with actionable insights
Track stock movement in real time, optimize inventory days on hand, and manage pricing and packaging without losing margin. Use smart reports to prevent stockouts with inventory software designed for all retail and restaurant formats.
Get started with powerful features at zero upfront cost
Try our free inventory management software to automate reorders, monitor stock levels, and manage purchases and batches with complete visibility—no setup cost or heavy training required.
Rely on a platform trusted by 30,000+ retailers and restaurants
Built for Indian retail and scalable internationally, Gofrugal offers 99.9% uptime, fast deployment, minimal training, flexible attribute masters, and deep integrations with POS, Tally, ecommerce, and payment systems—everything needed for a modern retail inventory management system.
Experience + Gofrugal = Satisfaction
Gofrugal has made our inventory far more accurate and easier to manage across warehouses. Stock audits are now 60% faster, and real-time updates help us avoid ecommerce stockouts. It's simple for our team to use and gives us clear visibility for smarter decisions.
Nikhil B Yadalam, Director,
Skanda Retail (Now & Zen)
Gofrugal helped us maintain accurate stock across all 5 outlets and 18 counters. Our audits are now 50% faster, and system stock consistently matches physical stock. The software is simple for staff to learn and supports smarter day-to-day decisions.
Sahil Gupta, Head Procurement & Sourcing,
Freshlee Supermarket
Gofrugal helped us bring full control to operations across 2 outlets and 62,000 SKUs. We cut operational costs by 20%, streamlined reordering and billing, and eliminated stock mismatches, ensuring customers never leave empty-handed.
Hashmuddin Malik, Operational Manager,
Daily Mart
Overview of inventory management system
What is inventory management software?
Inventory management software is a tool that helps businesses track, control, and optimize stock levels in real time. It reduces manual errors, prevents stock shortages, and ensures smooth order fulfillment. The best systems, like Gofrugal, function as a complete retail inventory management system and restaurant inventory software, giving businesses full visibility and accuracy.
How does Gofrugal's inventory management free trial work for small businesses?
Gofrugal offers a free inventory management software trial designed for growing businesses. Small teams can explore key features like stock tracking, billing, barcode scanning, and real-time reporting with no credit card required. It’s ideal for evaluating small business inventory management software before committing to a plan.
What are the key features of inventory management software?
The best systems—including the best inventory management software of 2025—offer:
- Real-time stock tracking
- AI-based demand forecasting
- Inventory software with barcode scanning
- Multi-location visibility using multi-store inventory management
- Purchase management & automated reordering
- Stock audits
- Mobile access via an inventory management app or inventory tracking app for Android and iOS
How can restaurants use inventory management software?
Restaurants use restaurant inventory management software to track ingredients, manage recipes, monitor consumption, and reduce waste. Features like expiry tracking, reorder alerts, and mobile counting help minimize food waste. It is one of the best free inventory management solutions that helps restaurants ensure freshness, save costs, and avoid manual errors.
What is AI-based demand forecasting in inventory software?
AI-based demand forecasting uses sales trends, seasonality, and outlet patterns to predict future stock needs. Inventory management software with demand forecasting helps prevent stockouts with and reduces excess inventory by planning purchases accurately.
How does multi-store inventory management work?
Multi-store inventory management centralizes stock control across outlets and warehouses. Businesses can monitor stock availability, move items between stores, and generate unified reports. It ensures consistent operations and is essential for chains needing a powerful retail inventory management system.
Is Gofrugal inventory software suitable for small businesses?
Yes. Gofrugal's inventory management software for small businesses is simple to set up, scalable, and has a stock management software free trial. It supports both single-store and multi-outlet operations with cloud-based flexibility that is ideal for growing businesses.
What's the cost of inventory management software?
The prices range from free versions to advanced systems costing anywhere from ₹10,000 to ₹80,000+ per year. Gofrugal offers flexible pricing and a free inventory management software trial so businesses can evaluate the solution before upgrading to a paid plan.
Can I use inventory management software on mobile?
Yes. Gofrugal provides an inventory management app and inventory tracking app for Android and iOS so users can access stock, perform audits, and approve transactions on the go. This is especially useful for mobile-first small businesses.
How does barcode scanning work in inventory software?
Inventory software with barcode scanning allows businesses to scan items during purchase, sales, and audits using a mobile device or scanner. This speeds up stock entry, reduces errors, and helps maintain real-time accuracy, making it a core feature of any modern retail inventory management system.
How do I get started with
Gofrugal’s inventory management software?
To get started, simply sign up for our free inventory management software trial or connect with our team. Our retail and restaurant experts will guide you, help you set up the inventory management app, and walk you through features like barcode scanning and multi-store inventory management.