FEFO control in hardware stores: what it is and why it matters
FEFO helps you ship what expires first. In hardware stores with products that expire (sealants, chemicals, adhesives), it reduces waste and complaints.
What does FEFO mean?
FEFO stands for First Expired, First Out. It is an inventory rule that prioritizes shipping the lots with the nearest expiration date first, regardless of when they arrived.
How is FEFO different from FIFO?
FIFO (First In, First Out) orders shipments by arrival date. FEFO orders them by expiration date. For perishable or dated products, FEFO is safer: a lot that arrived later may expire sooner and should go out first.
Why does FEFO matter in a hardware store?
Many hardware supplies have a shelf life: adhesives, silicones, paints, chemicals and sealants. Without FEFO control it's easy for a lot to expire in the warehouse, causing losses, returns and unhappy customers. Applying FEFO reduces that waste.
How is FEFO applied in practice?
It requires recording the lot and its expiration date when receiving goods, and having the system automatically suggest the correct lot when selling or shipping. FerroSync applies FEFO automatically for products with an expiration date, so the operator doesn't have to work it out manually.