What is the term for extra units held in inventory to reduce stockouts?

Safety stock refers to the additional inventory held to guard against uncertainty in demand or supply. It acts as a buffer to ensure that a company can meet customer orders even when there are fluctuations in demand or delays in replenishment. By maintaining safety stock, businesses aim to minimize the risk of running out of stock, which can lead to stockouts, missed sales opportunities, and potential damage to customer satisfaction.

The other terms have their specific meanings within inventory management. For instance, reorder point refers to the inventory level at which a new order should be placed to replenish stock before it runs out. Cycle stock pertains to the portion of inventory that is expected to be sold or used over a specific period as part of regular business operations. Lead time stock denotes the inventory needed to cover the time between placing an order and receiving the inventory. While all of these concepts are relevant to inventory management, safety stock specifically addresses the need for extra units to mitigate the risk of stockouts.