What is inventory shrinkage?
Inventory shrinkage is the term used to describe the loss of inventory. For example, if the inventory records of a retailer report that 3,261 units of Product X are on hand, but a physical count indicates that there are only 3,248 units on hand, there is an inventory shrinkage of 13 units. The retailer’s inventory shrinkage might be due to shoplifting, employee theft, damage, obsolescence, etc.
The term shrinkage is also used by manufacturers when referring to the loss of raw materials during a production process. For example, a manufacturer of baked food items will experience shrinkage throughout its processes due to ingredients adhering to the beaters and bowls, and also due to evaporation. This shrinkage is also known as spoilage or waste and it can be either normal or abnormal.
Learn more about Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold.
About the Author: Harold Averkamp (CPA) has worked as an accountant, consultant, and university accounting instructor for more than 25 years. He is the creator and author of all the
content found on AccountingCoach.com. You can read 1,500 testimonials praising his ability to explain
accounting in a way that anybody can understand.
![]() | Learn more about AccountingCoach Pro |
Accounting Q&A by Topic
Over 800 questions have been answered in the following categories:
- Accounting Basics
- Accounting Careers
- Accounting Equation
- Accounting Principles
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts Expense
- Activity Based Costing
- Adjusting Entries
- Balance Sheet
- Bank Reconciliation
- Bonds Payable
- Bookkeeping
- Break-even Point
- Business Investments
- Cash Flow Statement
- Calculations
- Chart of Accounts
- Cost and Managerial Accounting
- Debits and Credits
- Depreciation
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Ratios
- Improving Profits
- Income Statement
- Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold
- Lower of Cost or Market
- Manufacturing Overhead
- Nonmanufacturing Overhead
- Payroll Accounting
- Present Value of an Ordinary Annuity
- Present Value of a Single Amount
- Standard Costing
- Stockholders’ Equity



