Supplier order

Calculate how much to order without counting inbound stock twice

A useful order recommendation covers demand until the next replenishment and subtracts both available stock and confirmed inbound units.

Reviewed: SellerStrat Editorial Team
Practical materialNo invented outcomes or hidden conditions.
Short answer

Multiply average daily sales by lead time plus safety days, then subtract available stock and confirmed inbound units. Never subtract unconfirmed supply drafts.

Calculate how much to order without counting inbound stock twice
Calculation example

Reproducible order example

The example uses one SKU and confirmed inbound stock only.

12 x (18 + 7) - 96 - 84 = 120 units
Average daily sales
12 units
Lead time and safety window
18 + 7 days
Available and inbound stock
96 + 84 units

Recommended supplier order: 120 units.

Illustrative calculation. Replace every input with the current data for the same SKU and fulfillment model.

Use five controlled inputs

The recommendation depends on average daily sales, supplier lead time, safety days, sellable stock and confirmed inbound units. Use the same SKU and fulfillment scope for every input.

Calculate target stock before the order

Target stock covers expected demand during lead time and the selected safety window. The order is the positive difference between target stock and units already available or confirmed in transit.

Review exceptions before sending the order

A mechanical result still needs a check for promotions, seasonality, minimum order quantity, supplier packaging and stock that is blocked or unlikely to arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Should goods in transit be subtracted?

Subtract confirmed inbound units that belong to the same SKU and fulfillment scope.

What if the calculation is negative?

The immediate recommended order is zero; review excess stock and the next replenishment date.

Evidence and sources

How this material was reviewed

  • SellerStrat cabinet: stocks and recommended orderSellerStrat Product

    Input names and the treatment of available and inbound stock were checked in the current workflow.

SellerStrat Product and Data TeamProduct, analytics and integration specialists

Recalculated the example independently and checked every input against the stocks and supplier-order workflow.

Product version: SellerStrat 2.0
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