What does the term 'out-of-stock' refer to?

The term 'out-of-stock' specifically refers to a situation where there is insufficient merchandise available to meet consumer demand. This can happen for various reasons, such as unexpected spikes in sales or supply chain disruptions that prevent restocking. When a product is out of stock, customers may experience frustration, which can lead to lost sales and potentially damage customer loyalty. Retailers strive to manage their inventory levels effectively to minimize out-of-stock occurrences, as this directly impacts their ability to serve customers and maintain sales revenue.

In contrast, having excess inventory on hand, returning inventory, or items being on sale does not relate to being out of stock, as these conditions do not indicate a lack of availability for customers wanting to purchase a product.