Comparison · 6 min read
Shelf360 vs spreadsheets vs a generic retail POS for marts
Three ways to run a mart’s stock, and what each one can and cannot tell you about expiry and margin.
Most marts start with a notebook or a spreadsheet, then add a till. Each step helps, but each still keeps one number per product. Here is what changes as you move up.
| Question | Spreadsheet | Generic retail POS | Shelf360 |
|---|---|---|---|
| How many of this product do I have? | If someone updates it | Yes | Yes, per branch |
| Which units expire first? | No | Usually not | Yes, by batch and expiry date |
| What did this delivery cost? | If typed in | Usually one average cost | Yes, per batch |
| What should I mark down today? | No | No | Yes, a markdown list before stock turns |
| Who owes me money? | A separate khata book | Sometimes | Khata customer accounts |
When a spreadsheet is enough
A small shop with few perishables and one person doing the counting can manage with a spreadsheet. Once you have dairy, bakery or several branches, the cost of expired stock usually outgrows the cost of a system.
What to ask any vendor
- Can I see stock by batch and expiry, not just a single total?
- Does the till sell the earliest expiry first?
- How is FBR reporting handled, and is it approved today?
- Can I try it in one branch before rolling out?
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