A cycle count is a scheduled physical check of a selected portion of inventory, repeated over time rather than counting all stock at once.
How it works in retail
Retailers choose items, locations or risk groups to count and compare the results with system records. Investigating differences helps identify process errors.
A retail example
A boutique counts its higher-value accessories each week and reviews other categories on a rotating schedule.
What to keep in mind
A count should account for stock moving during the process. Correcting a number without finding the cause may leave the same discrepancy recurring.
Examples are illustrative. Terminology and measurement conventions can vary by business and market.