ASSESSMENT OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ON STOCK-FLOW AT CORY'S GROCERY STORE

Abstract

Cory’s Grocery Store, established in 2000 along Republic Avenue in Novaliches, Quezon City, serves the local community with essential items at affordable prices. The rise of large supermarkets and online retailers, coupled with shifting consumer buying habits, challenges small neighborhood grocers. Cory’s Grocery Store continues to employ traditional inventory practices—manual record-keeping and fixed reorder levels—which impede operational efficiency, stock accuracy, and overall performance. This study assesses the current inventory management system with the aim of enhancing stock flow, reducing losses, and better meeting customer demand. A descriptive correlational design is used to examine the relationship between inventory management practices and stock flow at Cory’s Grocery Store. Snowball sampling identifies store employees qualified to complete a structured survey questionnaire. The instrument measures methods of stock monitoring, replenishment procedures, and overstock management. Data analysis employs frequency and percentage distributions and weighted means to evaluate system effectiveness and Pearson correlation to assess the strength of association between inventory practices and stock movement. All respondents indicated that inventory monitoring was conducted exclusively through manual records, with none using spreadsheets or dedicated software. Ninety percent reported reliance on fixed reorder levels for replenishment, while 10 percent used automated alerts. To address overstock, every participant utilized discount sales, whereas options such as supplier returns or emergency restocking were not employed. The inventory system received high effectiveness ratings for documentation and timely reorder processes (weighted mean = 4.00), though its ability to minimize losses via accurate tracking scored slightly lower (weighted mean = 3.50). Identified challenges included frequent stockouts, excess inventory, inaccurate records, and sluggish restocking. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a perfect positive relationship between inventory management quality and stock flow efficiency (r = 1.00, p < 0.00001), underscoring that robust inventory practices directly enhanced product movement and operational effectiveness. Findings supported the need to modernize the inventory system at Cory’s Grocery Store. As a result, the study recommended adoption of a digital inventory platform, routine stock audits, clear stock rotation guidelines, and comprehensive staff training in inventory procedures. Implementing these measures was expected to mitigate errors, improve customer satisfaction, and bolster the store’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving retail environment.