Merchandise replenishment system for retail stores

Abstract

A replenishment system for retail stores that includes the following: (i) a user interface designed to be installed on a first computing unit accessed by staff of a retail business to generate purchase invoices, wherein the user interface is connected to a database for storing data relating to the purchase details; and (ii) a processor coupled to the interface to process the stored data to determine the number of different goods sold from the store, on the basis of which the remaining number of each good is evaluated, wherein, in the event that any of the evaluated numbers of goods falls below a threshold, the processor generates a wireless notification to a second computing unit, which is accessed by staff of a store warehouse to receive the request to replenish any particular good in the store, instructing the staff to send the required number of specific goods to the store to replenish the goods in the stores.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a retail store inventory replenishment system designed to automate the management of incoming and outgoing inventory of a retail store by notifying a connected warehouse to supply the store with goods, thus preventing inventory shortages during sales. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Replenishment of inventory is a critical function for retail stores to ensure smooth operations and meet customer demand. As consumer preferences change and purchasing habits fluctuate, maintaining the right balance of inventory is crucial. Insufficient inventory can lead to stockouts, resulting in lost sales, customer dissatisfaction, and potential damage to the store's reputation. On the other hand, excess inventory ties up capital in unsold goods and increases carrying costs. Effective inventory replenishment helps mitigate these risks by ensuring products are available when needed without burdening the store with excess inventory. In fast-paced retail environments, automated inventory replenishment systems are increasingly important to streamline the process.These systems monitor sales, track inventory levels, and automatically trigger reorders from warehouses or suppliers when inventory reaches predefined thresholds. This reduces manual effort and the risk of human error while ensuring that popular products are always available on shelves.

[0003] Equipment for restocking inventory in retail stores typically includes automated inventory management systems, barcode scanners, RFID technology, and software that tracks inventory levels in real time. Automated systems help streamline the restocking process by monitoring sales patterns and inventory turnover, and automatically triggering orders to suppliers or warehouses when inventory reaches a certain threshold. Barcode scanners and RFID tags enable rapid tracking and updating of inventory data, ensuring that inventory records remain accurate. These technologies significantly reduce human error, improve efficiency, prevent stockouts or overstocks, and thus improve overall supply chain management. Despite their advantages, these systems also have disadvantages.First, their implementation is costly, especially for smaller businesses, due to the initial investment in hardware, software, and employee training. Furthermore, although these systems improve efficiency, they still rely on accurate data entry. Incorrect scanning of barcodes or RFID labels can lead to inventory discrepancies, impacting replenishment decisions. Furthermore, automated systems struggle to manage non-standardized or irregular products that don't fit a barcode or RFID frame.

[0004] US2008183599A1 discloses an inventory control and communication system that enables automated, real-time control of inventory levels and timely ordering to maintain optimal inventory levels. An inventory sensor comprising a storage unit or bin for each inventory item or inventory object. Each storage unit is associated with one or more transducers that generate a mass / weight signal indicative of the weight of the inventory items stored in or against the corresponding storage unit. The signals are transmitted to a computer connected to the inventory sensor, which determines the weight and number of inventory objects present in the bin and provides this data as part of the inventory data associated with the inventory object. The inventory data is forwarded to a host computer, which provides information about the location of the inventory sensor and the corresponding inventory item, such as theThe inventory control system, such as item weight and supplier information, is managed. Minimum and maximum quantity thresholds for each inventory item are also managed by the central computer. When the quantity of an inventory item reaches the minimum threshold, the central computer can send an order to the supplier to bring the inventory item back up to the maximum quantity threshold or otherwise indicate that a reorder is necessary. While US'599 refers to an inventory control and communication system, the cited prior art does not allow a warehouse to reorder goods for a retail store to meet the store's needs in an automated manner.

[0005] JP2019164483A discloses an inventory management device, an inventory management method, and an inventory management program for performing inventory management of the same commodity using commodity codes that differ between physical distribution management and warehouse management. SOLUTION: When an order for goods is placed by a store and the goods are shipped from a warehouse to the store, shipping data including a physical distribution commodity code and a shipment quantity of the goods is acquired, and the inventory data is updated.When goods arrive at the store, store arrival data containing the physical distribution commodity number and an arrival quantity of goods are acquired. Commodity change data defining a transfer from the physical distribution commodity number contained in the store arrival data to a store commodity number is acquired based on a commodity master, and the inventory data is updated. Although JP'483 relates to an inventory management device, an inventory management method, and an inventory management program, the cited prior art is limited in maintaining an adequate inventory level to meet store needs in a self-sufficient manner.

[0006] Conventionally, many systems have been developed to manage the inventories of retail stores, however, the systems mentioned in the prior art have limitations in preventing stockouts during store demand by not automatically notifying the warehouse to replenish the stockout.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, there is a need in technology to develop a system capable of tracking and managing stock movements in and out of a retail store. Regarding inventory management, the system must also be capable of alerting a connected warehouse to deliver products to the store and ensure optimal stock availability for sale. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system capable of managing the storage and retrieval of goods from a retail store in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system capable of notifying a warehouse connected to the store to supply the store with goods to eliminate a shortage of goods during sales at the store.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is reliable in nature to meet the requirement of replenishment of goods in the store.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a retail store inventory replenishment system capable of monitoring and managing the flow of goods into and out of a retail store in an automated manner to ensure timely inventory replenishment to meet the store's needs in selling the goods.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a restocking system for retail stores comprises a user interface designed to be installed on a first computing unit accessed by the staff of a retail store to create purchase invoices, the user interface being connected to a database for storing data relating to the purchase details, and a processor coupled to the interface for processing the stored data to determine the number of various goods sold from the store and based on which the remaining number of each of the goods is assessed.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed system further comprises a second computing unit accessed by the staff of a store's warehouse to receive the request for the restoration of a specific item in the store, whereupon the staff is instructed to send the required number of specific items to the store to replenish the items in the stores, is pre-fed with a POS (Point of Sale) protocol implemented to fulfill the request for the replenishment of items in the store, and a communication module is integrated with the processor to establish a wireless connection between the first and second computing units.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations are possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. shows a flowchart illustrating the workflow of a warehouse replenishment system for retail stores. Fig. shows a perspective view of a warehouse replenishment system for retail stores. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description contains the preferred best mode for carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. It will be apparent from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both the singular and the plural unless expressly stated to refer only to the singular.

[0021] The present invention relates to a restocking system for retail stores capable of tracking and managing stock movements in and out of a retail store to ensure the availability of all stocks for sale.

[0022] In Fig.A flowchart is shown illustrating the workflow of a retail inventory replenishment system.

[0023] The proposed invention comprises a system that preferably includes inventory management technology for retail businesses. The system is integrated with a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The first and second processing units are each connected to a database for storing inventory records of the retail business.

[0024] The first processing unit is connected to the retail store's purchase invoice generation system. The second processing unit is connected to the store's warehouse to update the inventory data in the database. The inventory referred to here corresponds to the goods offered for sale in the store. The processor is connected to a communications module, establishing a wireless connection between the first and second processing units.

[0025] The computing units are equipped with a user interface that allows store and warehouse staff to update inventory data in the database. The updating of details mentioned here is similar to the inbound / outbound movement of inventory into / from the store and warehouse. The inbound movement of inventory into the store / warehouse indicates the availability of the inventory. The outbound movement of inventory corresponds to the sale of the inventory to customers.

[0026] The user interface is accessed by a store employee to store data about the customer's purchase of goods in the store in the database. The user interface provides a series of outputs related to inventory details. The user either selects from a list of options shown on the display or enters the data manually, in which case the user must enter the customer's purchasing details. The communication module, which includes a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, a Bluetooth module, and a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module, among others, is capable of establishing a wireless network between the processor and the computing units. The computing units used here are capable of performing inventory management computing operations.

[0027] When a customer purchases an item in the store, the staff in the first processing unit enters inputs regarding the purchase via the user interface. The processor then updates the database regarding the outgoing goods after the sale. The processor is equipped with a POS (point of sale) protocol implemented to meet the requirements for in-store replenishment of goods leaving the store after the sale.

[0028] The POS (point of sale) protocol enables communication between a store's point of sale and the database. It ensures the secure and efficient transmission of transaction data, such as payment details and authorization requests for in-store purchases. The protocol typically involves the POS terminal sending encrypted payment information to a payment gateway or processor, which then communicates with the bank or payment provider to authorize the transaction. After authorization, the POS system receives a confirmation and completes the transaction.

[0029] After the purchase is completed, the store staff updates the purchase data in the inventory, and the processor then determines the number of different items sold from the store. The processor then evaluates the remaining quantity of items available in the store relative to the number of items sold.

[0030] In the event that the processor determines that the availability of the goods falls below a predetermined threshold, the processor generates a notification about the need for the respective goods via the second communication unit.

[0031] The warehouse staff accesses the second processing unit to receive a request to restore a specific item to the warehouse. The warehouse staff is then required to deliver the reported goods to the warehouse, restoring the inventory level. Updating the warehouse stocks thus facilitates the availability of goods to customers and ensures seamless data transfer and rapid replenishment of stocks.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, a store has 10 T-shirts and 10 pairs of denim jeans in various sizes in stock for customer purchase. If a customer purchases 6 T-shirts and 7 pairs of denim jeans, the available inventory drops to 4 T-shirts and 3 pairs of denim jeans. The reduced inventory of T-shirts and denim jeans can result in lost sales for the store if future customers are unable to find the appropriate sizes. In this context, the POS protocol simultaneously communicates with the store's warehouse to replenish the inventory of T-shirts and denim jeans for uninterrupted in-store sales and to meet customer demand.

[0033] The present invention works best in the following manner, in which the user interface installed on the first computing unit, as disclosed in the invention, is used by store personnel to create purchase invoices. This interface is connected to the database in which detailed purchase information is stored. The processor is connected to this interface and processes the stored data to determine the quantity of various goods sold. Based on this, the processor assesses the remaining stock levels of each item. If the remaining quantity of a good falls below the predetermined threshold, the processor sends the wireless notification to the second computing unit used by the warehouse personnel. This notification informs the warehouse personnel of the need to replenish certain items.Upon receiving the notification, warehouse staff is then instructed to send the required quantity of goods to the store to replenish inventory. The system includes POS (point of sale) protocols for efficient replenishment and a communications module that establishes a wireless connection between the two computer units, ensuring seamless data transfer and rapid inventory replenishment.

[0034] Although the scope of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2008183599A1

[0004] JP 2019164483A

[0005]

Claims

[1] A restocking system for commercial stores, comprising: (i) a user interface designed to be installed on a first computing unit accessed by personnel of a commercial outlet to generate purchase invoices, the user interface being connected to a database for storing data relating to the purchase details; and ii) a processor coupled to the interface for processing the stored data to determine the number of different goods sold from the store, on the basis of which the remaining number of each good is evaluated, wherein, in the event that any of the evaluated number of goods falls below a threshold number, the processor generates a wireless notification to a second computing unit accessed by a staff member of a warehouse of the store to receive the request for the restoration of any particular good in the store, instructing the staff member to send the required number of particular goods to the store to replenish the goods in the stores. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is pre-fed with POS (point of sale) protocols implemented to satisfy the request for replenishment of goods in the store. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein a communication module is integrated into the processor to establish a wireless connection between the first and second computing units.

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