Running a coffee shop is not just about serving great coffee; it’s also about managing your inventory efficiently. Let’s face it—keeping track of every bean and cup can be overwhelming. But don’t worry! A well-designed Google Sheets template can make tracking stock levels, costs, and sales much easier.
How Can Google Sheets Help Your Inventory?
Google Sheets makes inventory management simple and stress-free. You can track stock, costs, and reorder points all in one place, with easy-to-use features like automated formulas and colorful highlights for low stock.
Charts help you see what’s running low at a glance. Because they’re cloud-based, your team can update them from anywhere. It’s a free and easy way to stay organized and keep your business running smoothly.
Step 1: Set Up Your Inventory Sheet
Open Google Sheets and name your file something like “Coffee Shop Inventory.”
Label the first row with the following headers:
- Item Name: For products like coffee beans, syrups, and cups.
- Category: Group items under categories like “Beverages,” “Supplies,” or “Food.”
- Quantity in Stock: The number of items currently available.
- Reorder Level: Minimum quantity before reordering.
- Unit Price: Cost per item.
- Total Value: Formula to calculate the total cost of each item.
- Last Updated: Date when inventory details were last changed.
Step 2: Add a Dropdown
Use a dropdown feature for recurring information, such as Category. To do that, select the column where you would like to put it, then click Insert > Dropdown. Once the sidebar shows up, add the options, such as Beverage, Pastry, Supplies, and more.
Now, populate your table with the information needed.
Step 3: Use Formulas for Automatic Calculations
In the Total Value column, use this formula:
=C7*E7
Replace “C7” with the cell for Quantity in Stock and “E7” with Unit Price. Drag the formula down the column to apply it to all rows.
Step 4: Add Conditional Formatting
Highlight important details with visual cues. Select the Quantity in Stock column. Go to Format > Conditional Formatting. You may also set the rules and turn the cell red if the quantity is less than the reorder level or use green if the stock level is healthy.
Step 5: Create a Summary Chart
Visualize key data with a chart. Highlight the Category and Quantity in Stock columns. Go to Insert > Chart. Choose a bar or pie chart to show stock levels by category. Customize the chart title to something like “Coffee Shop Inventory Overview.”
Step 6: Add an Automatic Restock Alert
Create a new column labeled Restock Needed. Use this formula to flag items below the reorder level:
=IF(C21<D21, “Yes”, “No”)
Replace “C21” with Quantity in Stock and “D21” with Reorder Level. Apply conditional formatting to highlight cells showing “Yes.”
Step 7: Organize with Filters
Highlight the header row. Click on Data > Create a Filter. Use filters to sort items by category, flag restock alerts, or find high-value stock.
Click on the Share button at the top-right corner of Google Sheets. Set permissions for your team to edit or view the file. Collaborate by updating inventory in real time.
Get the Free Coffee Shop Inventory Template
Get a copy of the free Coffee Shop Inventory Template. I’ve populated some cells as examples, but you can customize them as needed.
Final Thoughts
Inventory management doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require consistency and attention to detail. A good system saves time and helps you spot patterns in your business—like which items are bestsellers and which might need a rethink. Staying proactive and organized is the key to running a successful and stress-free inventory process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best chart for my data?
For tracking stock levels, bar charts work well to compare quantities, while pie charts are great for showing category proportions. Adjust chart settings under the “Customize” tab in the Chart Editor.
Which formula can I use to calculate the total value of each inventory item?
You can use the =ARRAYFORMULA to apply calculations to multiple rows easily. Specifically, you can use: =ARRAYFORMULA(C2:C * D2:D) where Column C contains the Quantity and Column D contains the Unit Price.
How can I sum the total value of inventory by category?
You can use the SUMIF formula. For example, if you want to sum all values in the Coffee category: =SUMIF(B2:B, “Coffee”, E2:E)
The Bottom Line:
One keeps you awake. The other gets work done.
A month of coffee: $150
A month of FileDrop: $9.99
Why not have both?
