Seorang pelanggan mencari ukuran tertentu dari sepatu populer dan mendapati raknya kosong. Situasi itu disebut kehabisan stok. Produk tersebut tidak tersedia untuk dijual padahal permintaannya ada.

Stockouts produce immediate lost sales and longer-term damage to loyalty. Causes include under-forecasting, supplier delays, theft, or poor replenishment execution. Retailers measure stockout rates and work to keep them low on high-priority items. Safety stock and better demand sensing are common remedies.

In omnichannel environments a store stockout may still be solved by shipping from another location or a distribution center. Communication to the customer about alternatives or restock dates can salvage the experience. Preventing stockouts on key items remains one of the highest-return operational goals.

• Situation in which demanded product is unavailable
• Causes lost sales and customer frustration
• Results from forecasting, supply, or process failures
• Measured and actively minimized by retailers