Inventory forecast
Introduction
Running out of stock on a subscription product is one of the fastest ways to lose a subscriber. When a recurring order fails because an item is unavailable, it disrupts the customer experience and puts your revenue at risk.
Inventory forecast solves this by showing you a clear projection of how many units each subscription product will need over the coming days and months. Based on your active subscriptions and their upcoming orders, Joy Subscriptions calculates the estimated demand and flags any product where your current stock may fall short. This gives you the visibility to reorder proactively — before stockouts happen.
You can find this page under Analytics → Inventory forecast using the dropdown at the top of any Analytics page.
Understanding the forecast
The forecast table looks at all your active subscriptions and their scheduled upcoming orders. For each product (and variant), it adds up the total quantity needed across four timeframes:
- Next 7 days — Immediate demand from orders coming up this week.
- Next 1 month — Short-term demand for the next 30 days.
- Next 3 months — Medium-term demand for the next 90 days.
- Next 6 months — Longer-term demand for planning larger restock orders.
Joy Subscriptions pulls your current stock level directly from Shopify. When your current inventory is lower than the forecasted quantity for any timeframe, a warning icon (⚠️) appears next to that number. This makes it easy to scan the table and spot which products need restocking.
The Restock alert tab filters the table to show only products with warnings, so you can focus on what needs attention right away.
How to view your inventory forecast
Step 1: Go to Joy Subscriptions → Analytics. Click the dropdown at the top of the page and select Inventory forecast.
Step 2: The forecast table displays all your subscription products with their current stock and projected demand across four timeframes. Products with a ⚠️ warning icon need your attention — their current stock may not cover upcoming demand.
Step 3: Use the Forecast range filter to select which timeframes to display. You can choose one or more options: Next 7 days, Next 1 month, Next 3 months, or Next 6 months. The table columns update to show only the ranges you selected.
Step 4: Use the All products filter to narrow down the table to specific products or variants.
Step 5: Click the Restock alert tab to see only the products where your current inventory is not enough to cover the forecasted demand. The number in the tab label shows how many products need restocking.
Step 6: Hover over any forecast number to see a tooltip with details. For products with sufficient stock, the tooltip shows the projected quantity needed. For products with a warning, the tooltip also advises you to consider restocking soon.
How to search and sort
Step 1: Use the search bar at the top of the table to find products by name or SKU.
Step 2: Click the sort icon to sort products by date created, date updated, or product title.
How to export forecast data
Step 1: Click Export data in the top-right corner of the page.
Step 2: The file downloads with all the columns currently visible in your table — including product name, variant, SKU, current inventory, and the selected forecast ranges.
How to reload forecast data
Click Reload data in the top-right corner to refresh the forecast with the latest subscription and inventory data from your store.
Tips & best practices
- Select at least one forecast range to see data in the table. If no range is selected, the table shows an empty state prompting you to choose a timeframe.
- Only products with an active subscription plan appear in the table. Products without a subscription plan are not included.
- If a product does not have inventory tracking enabled in Shopify, the Current inventory column shows "Not tracked" instead of a number.
- Use the Restock alert tab regularly to catch potential stockouts early — especially before peak seasons or promotional periods.
Overall
Inventory forecast gives you the visibility to stay ahead of demand and keep your subscription fulfillment running smoothly. By checking this page regularly and acting on restock alerts, you can avoid stockouts, reduce failed orders, and keep your subscribers happy. Head to Analytics → Inventory forecast to see your current projections and start planning your next restock.