Definition
Dead stock
Inventory with no recorded POS sales over a defined trailing window, still carrying purchase cost on the shelf or in the cellar.
Worked example
Using a 90-day window, 22 wine SKUs show $0 POS sales but $3,800 combined cost on hand. Two are seasonal allocations you intentionally hold; the other 20 become a feature/transfer/return list. Shorten the window to 30 days and you will false-flag too many slow-but-real sellers, especially library wines and high-price spirits.
When operators use this
Run a dead-stock review on a window longer than your buying cycle. Wine shops and liquor stores should tag allocations before they liquidate. A sports bar should still feature or transfer a dusty call bottle that has not rung in 90 days. sitting inventory is overstock that still sells; dead stock does not.
Common mistakes
A 30-day window on library wine, or a 90-day window that includes a boarded-up patio season, will nag you weekly. Tag intentional holds. Do not stop reordering a well bottle because last month's feature pour paused it.
How ExactPour handles it
ExactPour surfaces products with no recent depletion against on-hand value so buyers can feature, transfer, or stop reordering. Pair with pars so dead stock is not silently replenished on the next delivery, and use multi-location views to move idle bottles to the venue that will sell them.
Qualification
Seasonal or allocation products can look like dead stock if the window is shorter than the buying cycle; always review before liquidating. Tag intentional holds so automation does not nag you weekly.