E-Commerce Strategies
Amazon Restock Reports are a must-have tool for FBA sellers to manage inventory effectively. These reports help you decide how much stock to send to Amazon and when by analyzing sales history, demand forecasts, and seasonality. Key features include:
SKU-level insights: Track sales, available stock, inbound inventory, and more.
Days of Supply: Estimate how long current inventory will last.
Replenishment recommendations: Suggested quantities and ship dates tailored to your needs.
Inbound tracking: Prevent stockouts by accounting for inventory in transit.
Access these reports via Amazon Seller Central and customize replenishment settings for better accuracy. While Restock Reports are focused on restocking, they differ from restock limits, which cap how much inventory you can send to Amazon. Use these tools together to avoid overstocking or running out of stock.
For seasonal demand or promotions, rely on historical data and adjust your strategy. Prioritize top-performing SKUs and consider third-party logistics (3PL) if limits constrain your shipments. Regularly monitor your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) to maintain sufficient storage capacity.
Key Features of Amazon Restock Reports
What Data Does the Restock Report Include?
The Restock Report offers a detailed, SKU-level view of your inventory, helping you plan your inventory effectively. In addition to key metrics, it includes several other important data points:
Data Field | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
Sales/Units (Last 30 Days) | The number of units sold and the total revenue generated in the past 30 days. |
Available | The current number of units in Amazon's fulfillment network, ready for shipment. |
Inbound | Units that have been ordered but are not yet received by Amazon. |
FC Transfer/Processing | Units being moved between warehouses or those currently being processed. |
Days of Supply | An estimate of how long your current stock will last based on sales trends. |
Maximum Shipment Quantity | The maximum number of units you can include in a single shipment to Amazon. |
Pay close attention to the Inbound field, as it tracks items en route and highlights both minimum and maximum thresholds for restocking.
Next, let’s dive into where you can find these reports in Amazon Seller Central.
How to Access Restock Reports in Amazon Seller Central
You can find the Restock Report in two ways within Seller Central:
Reports > Fulfillment > Inventory > Restock Inventory
Inventory > Inventory Planning Dashboard > Restock Inventory
The report updates daily, ensuring you have the most recent data at your fingertips.
Here’s a useful tip: fine-tune your Replenishment Settings for each SKU to improve the accuracy of Amazon’s restocking recommendations. By entering details like supplier lead times and case pack quantities, you’ll ensure the system generates suggestions that better align with your supply chain. Without these updates, Amazon’s default estimates might not be as reliable for decision-making.
"Currently, the Restock Inventory report is your best source for restock recommendations, including suggested quantities and ship dates." - KJ_Amazon, Amazon Moderator
How Restock Reports Compare to Other Inventory Tools
While the Restock Report zeroes in on actionable steps like when and how much to ship, other inventory tools, such as the FBA Inventory Report, take a broader approach. For example, the FBA Inventory Report includes metrics like excess stock, aged inventory, and long-term storage fees. This makes it more of a general inventory health check rather than a focused restocking guide.
Amazon is working toward consolidating these tools into a single reporting system. According to an Amazon Moderator:
"The Restock Inventory report will be phased out after we add all critical metrics from this report to the FBA Inventory report." - KJ_Amazon, Amazon Moderator
However, there’s a current limitation in the FBA Inventory Report: it may exclude inactive or out-of-stock listings. This can make it harder to plan for items that need to be restocked after running out. For now, the standalone Restock Report remains the go-to option for tracking and managing these situations effectively.
Amazon FBA Restock Inventory, step by step for choosing and sending in new inventory
How Amazon Calculates Restock Recommendations
Amazon Restock Limits vs. Restock Recommendations: Key Differences
To make informed decisions about inventory, it's helpful to know how Amazon calculates its restock recommendations. This insight allows you to determine when to rely on these suggestions and when to trust your own judgment.
What Factors Go Into Restock Recommendations?
"The tool takes into account your sales history, demand forecast and seasonality, and replenishment settings."
Amazon's system evaluates both demand and supply factors to generate restock suggestions. On the demand side, their AI analyzes sales velocity over 7, 30, 60, and 90 days while factoring in seasonal trends and ongoing promotions. The "Optimistic" demand forecast is designed to ensure that actual demand falls below the forecast 90% of the time, prioritizing stock availability over the risk of running out.
On the supply side, the accuracy of recommendations depends heavily on the replenishment settings you configure in Seller Central. These include:
Supplier lead time: How long it takes to receive inventory from your supplier.
Seller lead time: The time required to ship products to Amazon.
Case pack quantity: The number of units per case.
Replenishment frequency: How often you restock.
Minimum replenishment quantity: The smallest shipment size you plan to send.
If these settings aren't provided, Amazon defaults to generic values, which may not reflect your specific needs.
Now, let’s break down how restock recommendations differ from restock limits.
Restock Limits vs. Restock Recommendations: What's the Difference?
Though they sound similar, restock limits and recommendations serve distinct purposes. Here's a quick comparison:
Restock Limits | Restock Recommendations | |
|---|---|---|
What it is | The maximum units Amazon allows you to send or store | The suggested quantity and timing to maintain stock levels |
Based on | Historical sales, forecasted demand, and Amazon's fulfillment capacity | Sales history, demand forecast, and your configured replenishment settings |
Is it binding? | Yes - exceeding it violates policy | No - it's purely advisory |
Applied at | Storage-type level (e.g., standard-size, oversize) | Individual SKU level |
One critical note: restock limits are fixed regardless of your IPI score. Additionally, you can't transfer unused capacity between storage types. For example, if you're maxed out on standard-size storage, you can't use the allowance from oversize storage to offset it.
By understanding these differences, you can avoid policy violations and make better inventory decisions.
Common Misunderstandings About Restock Calculations
Several misconceptions can trip up sellers when interpreting restock calculations. One frequent misunderstanding involves reserved inventory. Sellers sometimes incorrectly count all reserved units toward their restock limit utilization. However, only inventory in "Working", "In transit", or "Receiving" statuses is included. According to Amazon Seller Central:
"Inventory pending removals and any reserved inventory are not included in the utilization calculation [for restock limits]."
If you're trying to free up space for new shipments, consider canceling unnecessary "Working" shipments or boosting sales velocity to reduce on-hand stock.
Another common confusion concerns seller-fulfilled listings. Amazon only generates restock recommendations for these SKUs if they meet all of the following criteria:
The product had active sales in the past three months.
Fewer than 14 days of supply remain.
There is projected demand for the next 14 days.
If a seller-fulfilled ASIN doesn’t have a recommendation, it likely fails to meet one of these conditions.
Using Restock Reports for Inventory Planning
How to Read and Act on Restock Data
The restock report focuses on three key metrics: Days of Supply, Recommended Replenishment Quantity, and Recommended Ship Date. These numbers guide you on what to send, how much, and when. If your Days of Supply drops below your lead time, Amazon marks the SKU as "Low Stock", signaling the need for immediate action to prevent a stockout.
To double-check Amazon's recommendations, calculate your reorder point manually: (Daily Sales Velocity × Lead Time) + Safety Stock. For well-established listings, aim to maintain 45–90 days of inventory. This range provides a safety net against supplier delays or unexpected sales surges, helping you avoid losing your ranking.
It's worth noting that the Restock Report is generally more dependable than the Inventory Planning report. Why? It factors in inbound inventory already on its way, making it the go-to tool for shipment planning.
Additionally, your inventory strategy should adapt to seasonal trends and promotional events to ensure you're prepared for demand fluctuations.
Planning for Seasonal Demand and Promotions
While Amazon's replenishment settings provide a baseline, your seasonal planning should lean heavily on historical demand patterns. Automated recommendations mainly reflect recent sales data, which can lead to underestimating demand during peak periods like Prime Day or Black Friday/Cyber Monday. For instance, a product selling 10 units daily in September might jump to 20–25 units per day in November - a spike Amazon's system may not fully predict in time.
"If your product is seasonal or has ups for certain holidays, don't 100% rely on Amazon's assessment. Use your own judgment as well." - Seller_HEe7QtbRbk5qC, Amazon Seller
To prepare, apply velocity multipliers based on past performance. For November (BFCM), start with a 1.5x to 2.5x multiplier on your usual daily sales. Conversely, slower months like January or February might call for scaling back to 0.7x to 0.85x. This approach helps avoid overstocking and minimizes high Q4 storage fees ($2.40 per cubic foot compared to $0.87 in off-peak months). Also, remember that during peak seasons, Amazon's receiving times can stretch to over 21 days - plan to ship earlier than usual.
Choosing Which SKUs to Prioritize Within Restock Limits
After setting your standard restock actions, fine-tune your strategy by prioritizing SKUs with the highest revenue impact. This ensures you're making the most of your restock data. When working within limited restock capacity, ABC Analysis is a practical method: focus on the top 20% of SKUs that contribute roughly 80% of your revenue. These are the products where stockouts hurt the most - not just in terms of lost sales but also the time and cost to recover rankings, which often requires balancing Amazon SEO vs. PPC to regain visibility. A stockout can take 2–4 weeks to recover from and may require a 30–50% boost in PPC spend to regain momentum.
For slower-moving or non-replenishable SKUs, use the "Hide recommendation" option in the restock report. This keeps your report streamlined, improves your in-stock rate, and allows you to focus on high-impact products. If your IPI score falls below 400, prioritization becomes even more critical. Dedicate storage space to your top-performing ASINs and scale back on slower sellers until your score improves.
Common Challenges with Restock Reports and How to Handle Them
Why Data May Not Match Across Inventory Tools
Sometimes, the numbers in your Restock Report and Inventory Planning (IP) report just don’t align. One big reason? The Restock Report includes inbound inventory, but the IP report might not. This can make the IP report suggest sending more stock than you actually need.
"Recommendations from IP report and Restock report don't match up." - Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW, Amazon Seller
Adding to the confusion, the IP report can lag behind by several days, meaning it won’t reflect shipments you’ve recently created. If you're restocking often, relying only on the IP report could cause you to over-ship. Instead, make the Restock Report your go-to for shipment decisions, using the IP report for a broader overview of your inventory.
"I would recommend using both planning and reporting but IME the restock report includes inbound so it will be more accurate. I have found the planning to not include inbound which can be confusing." - Seller_Qbd0RsfZFEZBY, Amazon Seller
These mismatched reports underline the importance of having a backup strategy when recommendations are incomplete or missing.
What to Do When Restock Recommendations Are Missing
If the "Recommended Replenishment Qty" column is blank or showing zeros, it’s often due to system updates or data migrations - not an issue with your listing. In these cases, manual methods can help you stay on top of your restocking. Check the FBA Inventory report for alternative fields like "Recommended Action" or "recommended ship-in qty." If these are also blank, reach out to an Amazon account management agency or Seller Support for clarification.
While waiting for systems to stabilize, calculate your own restock needs. Use rolling averages for 30, 60, and 90-day sales velocities, and apply the reorder point formula:
(Daily Sales Velocity × Lead Time) + Safety Stock.
This ensures you maintain 45–90 days of supply, even if automated recommendations are unavailable.
How to Manage Stock Within Amazon's Restock Limits
Restock limits can be a major headache, especially during peak demand periods. To free up space, clear out slow-moving inventory as quickly as possible. This opens capacity for your best-selling products.
The "Utilization" field in the Restock Report shows how much of your current restock limit is being used. Use this data to prioritize which SKUs to include in your next shipment. For products that consistently sell well but exceed your FBA limits, consider using a 3PL (third-party logistics) provider. This allows you to keep leaner FBA inventory by sending smaller, more frequent shipments to Amazon. Over time, this approach supports a better sell-through rate and boosts your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score.
Getting Expert Help for Inventory Planning
Managing restock limits, lead times, and seasonal demand shifts can feel like juggling too many balls at once. Amazon provides tools to give you data, but turning that data into actionable decisions? That’s where experience comes in. Complexities like mismatched reports, fluctuating seasonal demand, and lead time calculations can overwhelm even seasoned sellers. This is where expert guidance makes all the difference. Let’s look at how eStore Factory transforms these challenges into opportunities.
How eStore Factory Supports Restock Planning
eStore Factory takes the guesswork out of restock planning by leveraging data-driven strategies. One standout area is their focus on lead time accuracy. While sellers might expect lead times to be as short as five days, reality often stretches this to 22 days when factoring in supplier production, prep center tasks, labeling, and Amazon check-in delays. eStore Factory uses historical data, relying on conservative estimates like the 80th or 90th percentile, to ensure no surprises.
Another tool in their arsenal is the ABC-XYZ classification system, which helps sellers allocate restock capacity effectively. For example:
"A" items (the top 20% of SKUs generating most of the revenue) get tighter reorder points and more frequent attention.
"C" items, which are less critical, are managed reactively.
This approach ensures capital and FBA space are prioritized for products that drive results. Additionally, eStore Factory aligns PPC spending with stock levels, preventing ad dollars from being wasted on products teetering on the edge of a stockout.
"Inventory management is one of the most impactful factors in an FBA business. Order too much and your capital is tied up... Order too little and you run out of stock, lose your Best Seller Rank, and watch competitors capture your sales." - SellerVault Blog
Why Sellers Benefit from Working with Inventory Experts
Getting inventory planning wrong can cost sellers more than they realize. A seven-day stockout on a product selling 20 units daily doesn’t just mean lost sales. It can take 14 to 21 days to recover your sales velocity after restocking. For a product with a $15 profit margin, this kind of disruption could cost over $4,000 in lost profit during the recovery period.
Experts also help safeguard your Inventory Performance Index (IPI), which directly impacts your restock limits. They know how to handle non-replenishable SKUs, adjust supply chain settings in Seller Central, and override Amazon’s automated suggestions when necessary - especially for seasonal products where algorithms might misjudge demand. In short, expert knowledge and precision can make all the difference in keeping your inventory strategy on track.
Conclusion: What Amazon Sellers Should Take Away
Amazon Restock Reports play a key role in running a successful FBA business. They provide detailed replenishment quantities, suggested shipping dates, and a more accurate view of your total inventory by including inbound stock - something many other tools overlook.
However, the accuracy of these reports depends on the data you provide. Default settings often don’t match the specifics of your supply chain, so it’s important to adjust factors like lead times, case pack sizes, and replenishment schedules manually. To avoid stockouts, aim to keep 45 to 90 days of supply for established products and review your inventory weekly - or even daily during busy seasons.
Also, keep an eye on your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score, as it determines your storage capacity with Amazon. Staying above the 400 threshold helps you avoid storage restrictions and overage fees. Every restock decision impacts more than just keeping your products available - it directly ties into the overall success of your business.
FAQs
How accurate are Amazon’s restock recommendations?
Amazon’s restock recommendations can often be useful, but they’re not always spot-on. The newer FBA restock report has faced criticism for lacking key details, inconsistent sorting, and mismatches in inventory data. Even with these shortcomings, the Restock Inventory report remains the go-to resource for suggested quantities and shipping dates. However, it’s possible this report may eventually be phased out in favor of more streamlined reporting tools.
Why don’t my Restock Report numbers match other inventory reports?
Variations in numbers between the Restock Report and other inventory reports, such as the Sales Dashboard or Order History, often arise due to differences in data focus, time zones, or reporting methodologies. Each tool is designed with a specific purpose in mind, which can lead to discrepancies. It's important to consider the context and goals of each report when analyzing any differences.
What should I do if restock recommendations are missing or zero?
If your restock recommendations are missing or showing as zero, take a closer look at your inventory data and sales history. Amazon might not generate recommendations for items that haven't had recent sales. Additionally, some reporting features might be in the process of being discontinued. When this happens, you can turn to alternative reports or keep a closer eye on individual listings to ensure you're managing your inventory efficiently.
