Prevent short-pick cancellations with real-time inventory reservation
Author:
Fluent Commerce
Changed on:
22 Oct 2025
Problem
Inventory discrepancies between systems and physical stock result in orders being allocated to items that aren't actually available when picking begins.
Without real-time inventory accuracy and reservation mechanisms, retailers experience high cancellation rates during the fulfillment process, leading to disappointed customers, lost revenue, and increased service costs. This gap between promised and actual availability damages customer trust and operational efficiency.
Example
A beauty retailer's inventory system showed products as available, but physical stock discrepancies from theft, damage, or misplaced items meant warehouse staff frequently couldn't locate items during picking. Without real-time inventory accuracy, they averaged a 12% short-pick rate, forcing them to cancel items after customers had already received order confirmations. These post-allocation cancellations damaged customer trust, required service team intervention, and resulted in significant revenue loss during promotional periods when customers had already committed to purchases.
