You sell products that expire: medicines, food, cosmetics. An expired bottle is a loss, and sometimes a risk.
The principle: first-expired, first-out
Shelve and sell the batch with the nearest date first. This is called FEFO. It differs from first-in, first-out: a batch that arrived late can expire before one that arrived earlier.
A stock card by batch
| Date | Movement | Batch | Expiry | Receipt | Issue | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/09 | Purchase | A1 | 12/2027 | 120 | — | 120 |
| 15/09 | Purchase | B2 | 06/2027 | 60 | — | 180 |
| 20/09 | Sale | B2 | 06/2027 | — | 25 | 155 |
Example: fictional item. Batch B2, closer to its date, leaves before batch A1.
Five checks
- Note the date of each batch on receipt.
- Shelve the batch closest to its date at the front.
- Walk the shelves every week: spot what expires within two months.
- Remove what has expired, with a dated issue line and a reason.
- Count at every inventory, batch by batch, and compare with the card.
The minimum remaining shelf life to sell a product is sometimes set by regulation.
Frequently asked questions
What does first-expired, first-out mean?
You issue the batch with the nearest expiry date first, even if it arrived after another batch.
How often should I check the dates?
Weekly for short-life products, and at every inventory for the others.
Stock that follows your sales
Every sale and every purchase moves the stock. We show it to you on your own items.