Ability to Perform Stock Counts by Category

[dokidoki]

I’d like to request a new inventory feature: Stock Count by Category! Currently, Square Inventory offers two options:

• Cycle Count – spot checking individual items.
• Full Count – a comprehensive audit across the entire inventory.

While helpful, these options leave a critical gap. As a business with diverse categories (e.g., Books, Stationery, Snacks, Collectibles, Trading Card Games), I often need to verify stock levels at the category level.

For example:

• Checking whether all Books that are marked "in stock" are physically accounted for.
• Reviewing high-value categories like Collectibles to identify shrinkage or theft.
• Running a check on seasonal inventory (e.g., holiday merchandise) to confirm everything is accounted for before or after the season.
• Spot-checking fast-moving items like Trading Card Games where frequent sales increase the chance of discrepancies.
• Narrowing down which categories may have higher shrinkage or theft risk.

Right now, my only option is a Full Count, which is too time-consuming and disruptive, or a Cycle Count, which is too narrow to identify missing items efficiently. A Category-Level Stock Count would:

1. Improve Accuracy – Allow businesses to quickly validate inventory health within targeted categories.

2. Save Time – Reduce the burden of full audits by focusing on one segment of the catalog.

3. Support Loss Prevention – Help detect shrinkage patterns across specific categories and proactively address theft.

4. Enhance Usability – Aligns with how many businesses naturally organize and monitor their inventory.

This feature would make Square Inventory significantly more effective for retailers who manage large, varied catalogs, and it would reduce the friction we face when trying to reconcile what’s "on the shelf" with what’s "on the screen."

Thank you for considering this request! I believe Category-Level Stock Counts would be a valuable addition that benefits a wide range of Square users.

[jettys]

I completely agree! We provide a diverse range of products, including plants, indoor décor and gifts, as well as concrete patio slabs and more. Having the capability to conduct a category-level stock count would be incredibly beneficial for us, too.

[dokidoki]

I know I've seen this request before but I couldn't find it. It may have been part of a discussion instead of a formal request. But I think this is so critical for operations. 

[PaperDen]

I agree, this would save so much time! 

[JTPets]

I would also like a % of store daily cycle count, that would allow you to count your entire store over the entire year X number of times.

[amaring]

This would be super helpful and such a time saver.

[TCSlaguna]

Yep, this was a feature request when iOS Full Cycle Counts was in Beta. Unfortunately it was not considered at the time. Hoping it gains enough traction to be implemented. 

[dokidoki]

Spoiler

Please add kudos to this post so it gets more visibility! 

[lewisbakedgoods]

I honestly was a bit shocked to find out this wasn’t an available feature. Other services have it and it’ll be a deal breaker for me. Currently, if our pizza dough balls are running low, I can’t set a category limit for how many pizzas can be made. My only options are to divide the stock limit across the different items.. which only works if an equal number of items are sold. Or to sit on the dashboard in the middle of a rush and hit “pause online sales” at just the right moment.

Square, PLEASE add this feature. I’ve had a few other stores tell me it’s one of the reasons they went with a competitor.