ABC (Always Better Control) analysis is one of the most commonly used inventory management methods. ABC analysis groups items into three categories (A, B, and C) based on their level of value within a business.
Classifying inventory with ABC analysis helps businesses prioritise their inventory and optimise operations. In this article, weβll explore ABC analysis in-depth, explain how to use it, and help you decide if itβs right for your business.
As the name implies, ABC analysis sorts inventory into three main buckets:ο»Ώ
Learn how to calculate your inventory cost.
Inventory categorisation is essential with physical products because it protects your profit margins and prevents write-offs and losses for spoiled inventory. It is also the first step in reducing obsolete inventory, supply chain optimisation, increasing prices, and forecasting demand.
The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of outputs are caused by 20% of the inputs.Β
ο»ΏThe eponymous principle was discovered by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed that 80% of the peas in his garden came from only 20% of the pods he planted. More significantly, he noticed a similar ratio when he realised 80% of land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.Β
Since then, the Pareto principle has changed how economics is studied and how we understand the distribution of the worldβs resources.
ABC inventory analysis is based on the Pareto Principle, meaning itβs often the case that about 20% of a companyβs inventory accounts for 80% of its value. This insight enables leaders to make more operationally informed decisions.
The way Paretoβs principle factors into ABC analysis is how it is used to prioritise and sort specific inventory over others. ABC analysis brings simplicity to inventory analysis by putting all of your stock into three buckets, enabling you to make more strategic decisions.
Letβs look at three ways ABC analysis can improve your businessβ bottom line:
Using ABC analysis, inventory planners can predict the demand for specific products and manage their inventory accordingly. This insight minimises carrying costs for obsolete items, thus improving your supply chain management.
The success of many businesses hinges on A-class inventory. ABC analysis enables you to identify those items in real-time, monitor demand for them, and ensure theyβre never out of stock. By channelling your resources towards high-priority inventory, you can rest assured youβre putting the odds of success in your favour.
ABC analysis can optimise your pricing strategy for products that bring the most value to your business. Once you understand which products are in high demand, you can increase their price, which can significantly impact profits.
While ABC analysis is an essential tool for many businesses, there are a couple of drawbacks to be aware of:
To get the full benefits of ABC analysis, you must analyse inventory regularly to ensure A-inventory still consists of high-priority items. Otherwise, you risk squandering resources on lower-value items. Data collection and analysis can put a strain on businesses that donβt have proper accounting software.
An ABC analysis can overvalue frequently purchased items that get people in the door over luxury goods with a lower purchase frequency but higher profit margin. ABC analysis can also miss swings in demand for seasonal items or new items that havenβt accrued much sales volume data.
To perform an ABC analysis for your business, follow these three steps:
The way you classify your inventory depends on what kind of business youβre running and your companyβs objectives. Your classifications should align with the type of inventory you hold and how your business is run. Any metric you use should measure your inventoryβs consumption value for a given period. Standard metrics are total sales, gross margin, purchasing costs, and holding costs. After you calculate the percentages for each item, place them in your A, B, and C categories.
For your different inventory categories (A, B, C), create a set of rules or actions for how your classifications should function. For example, class A inventory should never have a stockout or have a certain turnover threshold. Then for C-class items, itβs fine if you have stockouts, but you donβt want to write off any spoiled inventory. You could rely on an inventory management solution to gain rapid insight into how your team performs relative to these standards.
As you grow and add items to your inventory, your classification mix will change. If you continue to monitor your analyses, youβll start to notice patterns and be able to forecast which inventory is most vital for you to manage and which are least important. By always having the right inventory mix, your operations will run more efficiently, and cash flow nightmares will eventually be a thing of the past.
Once all inventory has been reviewed and categorised, the next step is to implement your ABC analysis. The following section shares some recommended ways to make the most of this approach in your business.
ABC analysis uses an easy calculation method:
Step 1: Calculate each item's annual consumption value using this formula:
Consumption value = Annual usage of an item Γ Cost per unit
Step 2: Once you've calculated the consumption value for each inventory item, calculate what percentage each item represents of your total inventory value:
Item Percentage = (Item Consumption Value Γ· Total Consumption Value) Γ 100
Step 3: Rank the items from highest to lowest. Then, determine percentage thresholds to classify your stock into A, B, and C categories. A common threshold is:
This approach ensures your business focuses on the most valuable stock while still keeping tabs on lower-value inventory. Using ABC inventory control methods like this can lead to accurateΒ oversight on your stock levels and profit margins.
Let's walk through a practical example using a small wholesale electronics distributor with five product lines:
|
Product |
Unit Cost |
Annual Usage |
Consumption Value |
|
Laptops |
$800 |
500 units |
$400,000 |
|
Tablets |
$300 |
800 units |
$240,000 |
|
Headphones |
$50 |
2,000 units |
$100,000 |
|
Phone cases |
$15 |
3,000 units |
$45,000 |
|
Cables |
$5 |
5,000 units |
$25,000 |
Total consumption value: $810,000
ο»Ώ
|
Product |
Consumption Value |
Percentage |
Cumulative % |
|
Laptops |
$400,000 |
49.4% |
49.4% |
|
Tablets |
$240,000 |
29.6% |
79.0% |
|
Headphones |
$100,000 |
12.3% |
91.3% |
|
Phone cases |
$45,000 |
5.6% |
96.9% |
|
Cables |
$25,000 |
3.1% |
100.0% |
This analysis reveals that while laptops represent only 20% of the product lines, they account for nearly half of the inventory value, making them the highest priority for stock management and supplier relationships.
ABC analysis works best when applied consistently and reviewed regularly. Here are some best practices when implementing ABC analysis in your business:
With the goal of streamlining your inventory management, the classifications of your ABC analysis are best kept simple. It should be easy for your teams to know which products belong to specific classes immediately. For example, common classification methods are according to the product's price or sales frequency.
Each classification should be assigned its labour level or the number of hours dedicated to working on the particular inventory class. Naturally, the more value or impact the class has on the business, the higher labour levels should be allotted to the classification.Β
Every classification should be measured against its own rules set by the initial ABC analysis. This includes a different set of KPIs, performance reviews, and approach to reordering or selling any overstock.
The initial ABC analysis took into account the types of products and business status at that point. As inventory and markets change, itβs important to revisit the existing classifications and reclassify, if necessary. Consider consumer trends, new industry competitors, and changes in sales per class and product.Β
Inventory software can help track all the changes in product turnover and sales. With an established set of rules and actions, you can easily use an inventory management system to automatically track and create reports to highlight any key areas of improvement.
Letβs say you run an ecommerce womenβs accessories boutique. You just had a good quarter, and you finally have the time to analyse inventory. As you can see in the chart below, earrings are your most popular items, shoes are almost as popular, but neither are pricey, so they donβt generate much revenue. However, your designer purses make up 70% of your revenue, even though you only sold 13 of them.
ο»ΏItβs clear that purses should be in category A, shoes in category B, and earrings in category C.
|
Product |
Items |
% |
Sales |
% |
Category |
|
Purses |
30 |
13% |
70,000 |
70% |
A |
|
Shoes |
80 |
35% |
20,000 |
20% |
B |
|
Earrings |
120 |
52% |
10,000 |
10% |
C |
|
Total |
230 |
100% |
100,000 |
100% |
Now, what can you do with this analysis? To start, you could spend more time looking for the best designer purses, finding higher-end items to increase sales. You could also negotiate better terms with suppliers or spend money advertising your purse selection. Maybe you want to increase the number of items in your inventory, so your customers have a bigger selection.
A cycle count is the process of counting specific items within your inventory on scheduled dates. Some companies use cycle counting to create count lists for various sections of their warehouse every month. Still, the frequency can vary depending on how often stock levels fluctuate.
ο»ΏABC analysis lets you customise your cycle counting process, which optimises inventory control for your unique needs. For example, you might decide that your A items should be counted every month, while B items only need to be counted every quarter.
When ABC analysis is applied to cycle counting, it saves precious time and labour since you only count inventory categorised by class. Otherwise, youβre stuck counting all inventory items at the same time intervals.
ABC analysis works across all industries, but each one applies it differently based on what stock is most important. Hereβs how different sectors use ABC analysis:
ABC analysis helps manage tools, materials, and consumables. Expensive power tools and essential materials like steel are A items, while B items are mid-range tools or seasonal supplies. C items are things like screws and safety gear. The goal is to keep critical items in stock without overbuying slow-moving ones.
Learn more about trade and construction
In professional services, A items include must-have software licenses and top-tier equipment. B items are things like office furniture, and C items are basic supplies like stationery. This helps firms keep essential tools available while keeping office supply costs down.
Learn more about professional services
Hospitality businesses use ABC analysis to manage perishables. Fresh ingredients and premium drinks are A items. B items include standard drinks and pantry staples, while C items are cleaning products and backup equipment. This approach helps minimise waste while keeping popular menu items in stock.
Retailers use ABC inventory management to focus on bestsellers (A items) and steady sellers (B items). Slow-moving or seasonal items fall into C. This helps stores maximise shelf space and avoid running out of popular products.
eCommerce businesses manage large product ranges using ABC analysis. Items classified as βAβ are top sellers, B items are moderate sellers, and C items are niche or slow sellers. This helps with warehouse efficiency and automated restocking.
Healthcare providers rely on ABC analysis to prioritise life-critical supplies. Essential medicines and devices are A items, standard supplies are B, and admin items are C. This ensures compliance and availability of vital stock.
Learn more about health and social care
Manufacturers use ABC analysis to manage raw materials, components, and finished goods. Taking an Always Better Control approach, A items are essential materials that keep production running. B items are standard components, and C items are maintenance supplies. This helps avoid production delays.
Learn more about manufacturing
Wholesalers and distributors use ABC inventory control across multiple locations. A items are high-demand products, B items are steady sellers, and C items are niche products. This helps improve cash flow and warehouse efficiency.
Performing an ABC analysis is an effective way for a business to determine the value of its products. Itβs a simple process that helps manage large amounts of inventory, and how many resources should be allocated to each classification in order to yield the most profit.Β
ο»ΏUsing dedicated software can streamline the inventory management process even further. QuickBooks Enterprise offers an inventory management platform to track individual product levels in real-time, collect critical product information, and improve efficiency across all order management.
ο»ΏWhile every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented as at 25 July 2025, Intuit is not providing you with professional advice and we recommend you obtain your own professional advice. Intuit is not liable for your use of the information presented.
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