What does "stockout" mean in inventory management?

In inventory management, a "stockout" refers specifically to a situation where there is a shortage of inventory available to meet customer demand. This can occur when the demand for a product exceeds the available supply, leading to potential lost sales and customer dissatisfaction. Businesses strive to avoid stockouts because they can impact customer loyalty and revenue.

The other options refer to different inventory scenarios. Overstocking does not relate to stockouts but rather indicates that there is too much inventory on hand. Excess inventory requiring discounting could lead to financial loss but is distinct from running out of stock. Lastly, inventory stored beyond its useful life pertains to obsolescence, which is another inventory challenge but unrelated to the immediate unavailability of goods to fulfill customer orders. Understanding stockouts is crucial for effective inventory management to balance customer service levels with inventory costs.