Inventory is cash sitting on a shelf. For a med spa, that shelf often holds thousands of dollars of injectables, fillers and retail products. Order too little and you cancel treatments. Order too much and cash that could cover payroll or a slow month is locked up, sometimes until the product expires.
Know your days of supply
For each key product:
Days of supply = units on hand ÷ average units used per day
If you use 40 units of a neuromodulator a day and hold 1,600 units, you have 40 days of supply. Decide on a target range, for example two to four weeks for fast-moving injectables, longer for slow, long-dated items.
Set reorder points
Reorder point = (average daily use × supplier lead time in days) + safety stock
When stock falls to that level, reorder. Safety stock covers busy weeks and shipping delays.
Weigh bulk discounts honestly
A bulk deal saves money per unit, but it also:
- Ties up cash for longer
- Increases the risk of products expiring before use
- Can push you to promote a product just to use it up
Compare the discount with the cash you would otherwise have available and the realistic chance that some of it expires. A modest discount rarely justifies doubling your stock.
Match ordering to the season
Demand for many aesthetic treatments rises before holidays and events. Build stock ahead of known busy periods, and let it run down afterward.
Watch payment terms
Supplier payment terms affect cash as much as order size. Paying on terms that line up with when treatments generate cash helps keep a healthy balance.
A monthly inventory and cash check
- Days of supply for each key product
- Products with stock expiring in the next 60 days
- Total value of inventory on hand
- Planned orders for the next month and their cash impact
Treat inventory as part of your cash plan, not just a clinical supply question.
Want these numbers for your own clinic? Start with a free 15-minute call.
Book a Free Call