Warehouse Owned by Trent Kolek · reviewed 28 Mar 2026
Cycle counting
How do I do a stock count?
Count the bin, not the screen. Record the variance even when it is small, because the pattern is the useful part.
Counting with the system figure in front of you is not counting, it is confirming. The whole value of a cycle count is that it is independent.
Small variances that recur on the same item are usually a pack-size problem on the item file rather than theft. Recording them is how that gets spotted.
What to do
- 1 Take the count sheet from the warehouse tasks list.
- 2 Count the bin without reference to the system figure.
- 3 Enter the counted figure. The variance is calculated and recorded against the item.
- 4 Investigate anything over a carton before adjusting.