The verdict in three sentences
A hardware store lives and dies by its high-SKU inventory: 2,000 to 10,000 items no one can track by memory. With barcodes, stockout alerts and 2-minute quotes, in-store conversion rises about 15 % and sales lost to stockouts fall about 25 %. A business app from 450,000 FCFA turns shelf chaos into a selling tool.
The 10,000-SKU problem
Bolts, pipes, paints, cement, electrical fittings: an average store quickly passes thousands of SKUs, often with several variants (diameter, length, colour). Without a system, no one knows what is left on the shelf, stockouts are discovered at the point of sale, and every quote is rewritten by hand on a scrap of paper. The app attacks all three wounds: mobile inventory, automatic alerts and fast quoting.
| Indicator | Without app (before) | With inventory & quote app (after) |
|---|---|---|
| SKUs tracked | approximate | 2,000 to 10,000 exact |
| Inventory time | several days | -50 % |
| Lost sales (stockout) | high | -25 % |
| Customer quote time | 10-20 min | 2 min |
| In-store conversion | baseline | +15 % |
| Customer/quote history | none | complete |
The fast quote is the most underrated lever: a customer who waits 15 minutes for pricing often walks to the competitor. A priced, printed quote in 2 minutes closes the sale on the spot.
Modules and budget
| Module | Function | Order of magnitude (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| SKU catalogue + variants | 2,000-10,000 items | included in 450,000 base |
| Barcode scan | stock in/out | +90,000 |
| Stockout alerts | auto threshold per item | +70,000 |
| Quote generator | 2-min PDF, auto margin | +110,000 |
| Customer history | repeats, past quotes | +80,000 |
| Mobile-money payment | MoMo / card at till | +90,000 |
A mid-size store starts with base + barcodes + quotes + alerts, roughly 720,000 FCFA, then adds customer history later.
Mini case study
Mr. Mensah runs a hardware store in Accra with 6,500 SKUs. Each day he loses about 4 sales for not knowing an item is out of stock, at an average basket of 12,000 FCFA — 48,000 FCFA/day lost, roughly 1,250,000 FCFA/month. With stockout alerts he cuts those losses by 25 %, recovering 312,000 FCFA/month. The 2-minute quote adds 15 % conversion on larger contractor orders. The app cost 720,000 FCFA: it pays back in just over two months on the stockout gain alone.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Do we have to label 10,000 SKUs one by one?
We first import your existing list (Excel or entry), then generate barcodes. Physical labelling happens gradually, starting with fast-moving items, without stopping operations.
Can the quote calculate margin automatically?
Yes, each SKU carries its purchase price and target margin: the quote applies the margin, totals it, and outputs a professional PDF in 2 minutes, VAT included if needed.
How much does a hardware store app cost?
A catalogue + quote base starts at 450,000 FCFA. With barcodes, stockout alerts, customer history and mobile-money payment, budget 650,000 to 900,000 FCFA.
Does mobile inventory work on a plain phone?
Yes, scanning uses the camera of a common Android smartphone, no dedicated scanner needed. Inventory time drops about 50 % from the first count.
Can we take payment via mobile money?
Yes, mobile-money payment integrates at the till: the customer scans, pays, and the app records the stock movement and settlement in one operation.
Let's talk about your project. We scope your inventory and quote app in one week, catalogue import included. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
