Expiry Tracking Software
that actually works
Expiry tracking software that shows you the stock which won’t sell before it expires, at your current sales pace, valued in rupees. Batch-wise FEFO at the POS, WhatsApp alerts before stock expires, and one-click markdowns to clear it in time.
This is the at-risk view
Every batch checked against its own sales pace: what won't clear, what it's worth, and the action to take — straight from the product.
Want to act before stock lapses? Read: what near-expiry really means — and 7 ways to recover the value →
Batch-level expiry tracking, on every product
Each batch carries its own expiry date, so FEFO knows exactly which stock to move first and which is about to lapse.
What expiry tracking software does
Expiry tracking software records the expiry date of every batch you receive, then does three things with it: it picks the earliest-expiring batch when you sell (FEFO), it alerts you before a batch lapses, and it tells you which stock will not sell in time at your current pace so you can mark it down, return it or move it.
Inventory expiry tracking only works at batch level. A product-level system knows you have 48 units; it cannot know that 12 of them expire next month. ShelfLifePro keeps one row per batch, so expiry date management, recalls and supplier returns all point at the exact stock involved.
Dates get in four ways: read from the supplier invoice by OCR, photographed off the pack label at receiving (the date, and the time for dairy and bakery), scanned from a GS1 2D barcode, or set automatically from a shelf-life rule per category. Nobody types them.
Three ways to track expiry dates
Spreadsheet, tracker app, or software. Each has a place; only one runs a store.
A spreadsheet
Works up to a few hundred lines if one person owns it. Nothing tells you when a batch is about to lapse, and the sheet is wrong the first time a delivery is not typed in.
Free expiry tracking spreadsheet templateAn expiration date tracker app
Phone apps scan a barcode and set a reminder. Fine for a home pantry. They do not know your stock levels, your sales pace, or which batch the cashier just sold.
Free online expiry date scannerExpiry tracking software
Every batch carries its own date from the day it is received. FEFO picks the right batch at the till, alerts fire before stock lapses, and the at-risk list is valued against your actual sales pace.
Start the 14-day free trialThe problem with manual expiry tracking
Average annual loss to expired stock for a mid-sized supermarket
Weekly staff time spent on manual expiry checks and rotation
Typical shrinkage rate due to expiry in stores without proper tracking
How ShelfLifePro solves expiry tracking
Not just alerts - a complete system that automates FEFO, suggests markdowns, and tracks revenue recovery
Automatic FEFO
Every sale automatically picks the batch expiring soonest. No staff training needed - it just works.
Built into every transactionHour-level precision
Track expiry by hours for dairy, bakery, and fresh items. "Expires at 6 PM" not just "expires today".
For perishablesAI markdown engine
Get optimal discount suggestions based on days-to-expiry, sales velocity, and margin protection.
Never sell below costWhatsApp Alerts
Daily alerts at 8 AM with expiring items, batch numbers, and value at risk. Direct to your phone.
Never miss an expiryOCR date extraction
Scan invoices to auto-extract expiry dates. Works with DD/MM/YYYY, "Best Before Jan 2026", and MFG + shelf life.
Reduce data entry errorsRevenue recovery tracking
See exactly how much money you saved from would-be waste. Track markdown success rates.
Prove the ROISmart urgency-based actions
Automated tiered response system - from early warnings to emergency markdowns
The AI markdown algorithm
Our Zero-Waste Engine calculates optimal discounts based on:
"Selling at 50% off is better than 100% loss + disposal cost"
Built for your industry
Specialised expiry tracking for pharmacies, grocery, dairy and bakery, distributors, and kitchens
Pharmacy
Schedule H/H1 tracking, return window alerts, and drug controller compliance reports.
FSSAI & drug licence recordsSupermarket
Multi-category tracking from packaged goods to fresh produce. FEFO pick lists for shelf rotation.
Shrink tracked by departmentDairy & Bakery
Hour-level expiry for same-day products. Auto-markdown as expiry approaches with margin protection.
Track expiry by the hourFMCG Distributor
See expiry status across your retailer network. Proactively manage returns before stock expires.
Retailer network visibilityKitchens & catering
Receive with batch and expiry, issue to the kitchen by FEFO, log walk-in temperatures and wastage by reason.
Built for the storeroomHow we compare
ShelfLifePro vs generic inventory software
| Feature | ShelfLifePro | Others |
|---|---|---|
| FEFO Automation | Automatic in every transaction | Manual selection or none |
| Hour-level tracking | Yes, for perishables | Day-level only |
| AI markdown suggestions | Yes, with margin protection | Not available |
| WhatsApp alerts | Yes, daily at 8 AM | Email only |
| OCR date extraction | Indian date formats + Hindi | Limited or none |
| Revenue recovery tracking | Full dashboard with ROI | Not available |
Comparing your options across vendors? Run the buyer's guide checklist against every demo — must-haves, red flags, and the 12 questions to ask.
What catching expiry early is actually worth
A quick, illustrative example, plug in your own numbers.
A store carrying ₹10 lakh of perishable stock that quietly writes off 4% a month is losing about ₹40,000 every month. Catch even half of that early, with expiry alerts and a timely markdown, and you recover roughly ₹20,000 a month, many times what the software costs.
Independent operators typically aim to cut expiry write-offs sharply in the first 90 days. Your result depends on your mix, margins, and how early you act, this is the lever ShelfLifePro hands you.
Stop losing money to expired stock
Start your 14-day free trial. No credit card required.
See your first expiry dashboard in under 48 hours.
Expiry tracking FAQs
Common questions about our expiry management features
How do I get alerts before stock expires?
Set an alert ladder once - for example 30, 14 and 7 days before expiry - and ShelfLifePro sends a WhatsApp message and an email digest with the product, batch, quantity, and value at risk, plus a one-click action to mark it down or move it. Critical items are flagged immediately, not buried in a weekly report.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. ShelfLifePro runs in any phone browser and installs as an app (Add to Home Screen), so you can check expiry, scan barcodes with the phone camera (including the new 2D barcodes), and action alerts from the shop floor. No separate hardware needed.
How is this different from just setting alerts in Excel?
Excel alerts are passive - you still have to manually check and act. ShelfLifePro automates the workflow: FEFO picks the right batch during sales, the markdown engine suggests a discount that still clears above cost, and every alert carries a one-click action.
Can I track expiry for items that expire in hours?
Yes. Hour-level tracking is built for dairy, bakery, and fresh food. Set expiry like "6 PM today" and get alerts at configurable intervals (6, 12, or 24 hours before).
What if I have thousands of products?
It handles them. Batch queries are indexed and optimised to run smoothly at 10,000+ SKUs and 50,000+ active batches, so performance holds as your catalogue grows.
Does the AI markdown suggestion work offline?
The AI calculations are done server-side when you're online. However, your POS continues working offline with the last-synced markdown prices.
Which is the best expiry tracking software in India?
The one that captures the batch expiry at receiving without typing, enforces FEFO at billing, and alerts on WhatsApp before stock lapses. We compared five options, including Tally and Marg add-ons, in our top-5 guide; ShelfLifePro is the only one built expiry-first rather than billing-first.
Is there free expiry tracking software?
Three free things exist: our online expiry date scanner, a free expiry tracking spreadsheet template, and the 14-day trial of the full product with no card. A free plan that enforces FEFO at billing does not exist, from us or anyone; that part is the product.
How does expiry tracking work with barcodes?
A normal retail barcode (EAN or UPC) identifies the product only; it carries no date. Newer GS1 2D barcodes (DataMatrix and GS1 QR) carry the batch and expiry, and ShelfLifePro reads both at receiving and at the till. For everything else the date comes from the supplier invoice by OCR or from a shelf-life rule.
Will it work with my thermal printer?
Yes. We support all standard thermal printers (58mm, 80mm). You can print expiry-highlighted labels directly from the app.
Guides on expiry tracking
- Top 5 expiry tracking software for India (2026)
- Why Excel fails at expiry tracking, and what to use instead
- Batch-level expiry tracking: why SKU-level falls short
- Tally expiry tracking: what the plugin does and does not do
- 5 signs your supermarket needs expiry tracking software
- Expiry date scanner online free: what actually works