HAR LabsHARLabs
    Example: Retail

    Inventory and operations automation for retail and e-commerce

    Sync your channels. Stop selling what you don't have.

    We don't specialize by industry. This page shows what the problem we fix looks like in retail.

    An Example Scenario

    A growing DTC brand is selling on their website, Amazon, and two retail locations. Inventory is tracked in spreadsheets, and overselling is a weekly problem. Returns are processed manually, and the team has no idea which channel is actually profitable after all costs.

    An illustration of the kind of problem we fix, not a specific client.

    The Pain Points

    • Inventory out of sync across online and physical channels
    • Overselling leading to cancellations and refunds
    • No clear picture of per-channel profitability
    • Manual reordering leading to stockouts on best sellers
    • Returns processed by hand, so stock counts drift

    What We'd Aim For

    • Real-time inventory sync across all sales channels
    • Automated reorder alerts based on velocity and lead time
    • Per-channel profitability dashboard
    • Returns processed automatically with inventory adjustment
    • Stock counts you can trust in every channel

    Example Automations

    Sale on any channel → inventory updated everywhere in real time
    Stock hits reorder point → purchase order drafted → supplier notified
    Return processed → inventory adjusted → refund issued
    Every Monday → sales and margin by channel, after fees and returns

    Want a number before you call? Price any of these with the Manual Tax Calculator. To decide what to fix first, read the F × T × E framework or score yours in two minutes.

    Questions we get from retail operators

    How do we stop selling stock we do not have?

    Usually by fixing the lag rather than the counting. Overselling happens when the channel that takes the order finds out about stock later than the channel that sold it. One inventory number, updated on every movement, read by every channel. That is a connection problem, and it can be fixed.

    We sell in-store and online. Can inventory really stay in sync?

    Yes, provided you decide what the source of truth is and stick to it. Most sync problems come from two systems that both believe they hold the right number and quietly disagree. Pick one, make everything else read from it, and handle the edge cases (returns, damages, transfers) explicitly rather than hoping they are rare.

    What about reorder points?

    Once stock levels are trustworthy, reordering becomes arithmetic your system can do: velocity against lead time against a buffer you choose. Most retailers still reorder by feel because the underlying numbers were never reliable enough to trust. Fix the numbers first and the reordering follows.

    Do we need to change POS?

    Usually not, and switching POS is disruptive enough that it should be a last resort. The question is whether your current system will let data out. Most modern ones will. If it does, we connect it. If it genuinely will not, that is worth knowing early, and switching becomes a real decision with a real cost.

    What does working with you look like?

    We start by mapping how an order moves from sale to shipment to restock, then fix the biggest leak first. Most clients continue with us as an ongoing monthly partnership.

    The same problem in other businesses

    Owner-OperatorsEntertainment & EventsTradesAutomotive & TransportationHospitalityReal EstateProfessional ServicesHealthcare

    Sound Familiar?

    Let's talk about what's not working in your retail operations, and what we can do about it.

    Book a Free Discovery Call