# Finding and acting on aged inventory in retail

> Aged inventory programs fail when reports are backward-looking and stores lack clear next steps. Retail teams need aged-SKU visibility with actionable moves (markdown, transfer, or return) tied to store-level accountability.

For: merchandising manager

## The problem in retail terms

Merchandising publishes an aged inventory report. Store managers download it, maybe highlight a few SKUs, and file it away. Six weeks later, the same SKUs are still sitting in the backroom.

## Why spreadsheets and point tools fail

- Reports are snapshots, not live workflows
- No assigned next step per SKU or store
- Markdown, transfer, and return rules live in separate processes
- Accountability diffuses across email threads

## What good looks like

- Live aged-SKU view by store with days on hand
- Clear action per SKU: markdown, transfer, escalate
- Task routing to store managers with deadlines

## How Layerr handles it

Define aging thresholds and action rules in plain language. Layerr monitors on-hand aging, assigns next steps to stores, and tracks follow-through. Not just another report in someone's inbox.

## Frequently asked questions

### What counts as aged inventory in retail?

Typically SKUs past a defined days-on-hand or weeks-of-supply threshold. Definitions vary by category; electronics ages faster than accessories.

### Why don't aged inventory reports change behavior?

Reports without assigned actions become shelfware. Stores need "do this today" steps, not a 40-tab spreadsheet emailed monthly.

### Who owns aged inventory action in stores?

Store managers execute; merchandising sets thresholds and escalation rules. The system should route tasks, not just flag numbers.

## Related problems

- [Store forecasting when spreadsheets break down](https://layerr.ai/problems/retail-forecasting)
- [Store-level inventory ordering with min/max rules](https://layerr.ai/problems/inventory-ordering)