Stocktaking Companies UK: Cost vs Doing It In-House
By mise · Updated September 29, 2026
Quick answer: UK stocktaking companies count your stock, reconcile it with till sales and deliveries and report GP and losses; they usually charge per visit, with prices depending on the size of the site. Many operators count weekly themselves with an app and keep an independent stocktaker monthly or quarterly.
An independent stocktaker brings a second pair of eyes. The count itself does not need to wait for them.
| Stocktaking company | In-house with an app | |
|---|---|---|
| Who counts | External stocktaker | Your team |
| How often | Monthly or quarterly | Weekly or any time |
| Cost | Per visit | Monthly subscription |
| Independence | High | Lower |
| Speed of finding a loss | Next visit | Same week |
How mise helps
Scan the barcode with your phone camera or snap a photo of the label; mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it with name, brand, category, photo and price. Count wet and dry stock yourself between stocktaker visits; export to Excel for your stocktaker. Every count is saved with a date and a name, par levels warn you before you run out, and you see shrinkage and food cost for the period without building a spreadsheet.
Scan the barcode or snap a photo: mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it. 7-day free trial, then £26 a month.
Start free
Scan the barcode or snap a photo: mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it. 7-day free trial, then £26 a month.
Start freeFrequently asked questions
How much does a stocktaker cost?
It varies by site size and frequency; get quotes from two or three local firms.
Do I still need a stocktaker if I use an app?
Many keep one for independent checks; the app makes the weekly count quick.
What does a stock result mean?
The difference between what stock usage says you should have taken and what the till shows.
How much does mise cost?
A 7-day free trial, then £26 a month per site.