Retail and wholesale

Map the trading model

Separate goods bought for resale, consignment stock and goods sold under your own brand. A retail outlet selling to consumers and a wholesaler supplying resellers need different contract and operational records.

Connect stock to the accounts

Reconcile purchases, transfers, sales, returns and damaged goods by location. Record ownership where stock sits with a distributor or fulfilment provider. A physical count should have a clear bridge to the books.

Review premises and product questions

Assess local premises requirements and product-specific permissions before opening or changing the range. Packaged goods can require declaration checks; regulated products may need a separate licence or certification assessment.

People, channels and trade

• Track staff and working locations for employment administration.
• Keep consumer complaints and returns linked to original sales.
• Map online listings and customer-data access if selling digitally.
• For imported goods, retain origin, classification and importer evidence.

An example

A wholesaler adding repacking under its own label changes more than its sales channel. Review the packer role, declarations and product requirements before treating it as ordinary resale.

Explain stock differences before closing the period

Keep a location-level exception list for items in transit, customer returns awaiting inspection, supplier returns and damaged goods. Link each entry to its original receipt or sale and identify who confirms the next movement or adjustment.

For example, goods held at a reseller on consignment may be included in a physical-location report but need separate ownership records. Retain the agreement and movement statements so the accounting team can reconcile the goods without assuming that their location determines ownership.

Choose support for the trading change

Inventory accounting support starts with stock records, valuation workings and the movements to reconcile. Provide the same period and product identifiers across warehouse reports and the books.

For own-label packaging or repacking, legal metrology compliance starts with the product, package and business role. Keep the proposed artwork and supplier information together so the review addresses the actual goods.

For an additional outlet or warehouse, business licence assessment uses the location and activity brief. Include changes to storage, handling and the product range rather than describing the move only as a new address.