Inventory aging should identify unproductive eyewear without penalizing reader powers that sell slowly but are necessary to keep the assortment functionally complete.
Separate style aging from power breadth
A sunglass style or fashion reader that never sells is different from an edge reader power that sells occasionally but is still needed to serve the category.
Use categories for aging analysis
- Core demand: fast-moving powers and styles that should turn regularly.
- Necessary breadth: slower items that make the assortment complete.
- True aging: product with no meaningful movement and no strategic role.
Review repeated cycles
Do not make a deletion decision from one short period. Look across multiple service cycles, especially for seasonal sunglasses and lower-frequency reader powers.
Pair aging with stockouts
If core powers are constantly missing while other inventory ages, the issue is allocation. Move inventory investment toward the positions that are constrained.
Continue: How to Measure an Eyewear Program.