Three mistakes in storing consumables
Untracked expiry dates, opened packaging and storing on the floor — simple but costly mistakes.
Losses in consumables usually come from storage rather than from purchasing. Here are the three mistakes we see most often in daily practice.
Mistake 1: not tracking expiry dates. A warehouse should run on FEFO (First Expired, First Out) — a new batch goes to the back of the shelf, and the stock closest to expiry stays at the front. Otherwise boxes at the back quietly expire. Pulling a monthly list of items with less than three months left is enough.
Mistake 2: opening packaging too early. The outer carton of a sterile item is not only for transport — it shields against moisture and dust. Opening the box fully and spreading its contents across a shelf shortens the life of the sterile barrier. Take out what you need and keep the rest closed.
Mistake 3: storing on the floor and flush against the wall. Boxes belong at least 15 cm off the floor and 5 cm clear of the wall. That keeps moisture and cleaning splashes out of the packaging, and it lets the store be cleaned properly.
None of these three steps costs anything, yet together they noticeably reduce the volume written off over a year.