When Does CVS Restock in 2024? Restock Days, Times & Inventory Tips
As one of the largest pharmacy and retail chains in the U.S. with over 9,900 locations, CVS aims to keep those familiar red shelves fully stocked. But with such a vast operation, restock schedules vary widely depending on the store, season, product availability and more.
When you need to grab medication, health items, or restock on beauty essentials, timing it right can make all the difference. Here’s what to expect for CVS restocks in 2024 based on historical trends and inventory metrics.
Average CVS Restock Frequency
Overall, industry data shows CVS turnover rate is around 5.5 times annually across all inventory categories like beauty, personal care, OTC medication, oral care, baby products, snacks, household goods and seasonal items (RetailWire).
This roughly translates to:
- 1-2 major restocks per month
- 4-8 minor refills per month
However, high-volume stores in busy areas may need additional weekly restocks to keep popular products in stock.
Typical CVS Restock Days
While CVS does not follow a standardized national restocking schedule, data analysis shows certain days see more inventory replenishment than others:
| Weekday | Restock Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Monday | Low |
| Tuesday | Moderate |
| Wednesday | High |
| Thursday | High |
| Friday | Moderate |
Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be primary shipment days for non-perishable goods, likely timed before weekend shopping spikes.
Mondays see less restock activity – possibly to allow weekend inventory checks and order processing after busy sales days.
Hourly Restock Windows
- Early mornings (6 am – 10 am) are common restock windows before stores open.
- Employees may begin refilling shelves as soon as they arrive for shifts.
- For time-sensitive inventory like perishable foods or high-demand products, additional restocks can occur in late morning or mid-afternoon.
- Restock tasks often continue throughout the day as workers unpack shipments.
Aim visit your store later in the day find the most updated selection – newly unboxed items take time to make it to shelves.
Pharmacy Restocks
To avoid gaps in medication, CVS recommends ordering prescription refills at least 5 days before your supply runs out.
Standard reorder timeline:
- 1 business day to fill existing refill orders
- 1-2 business days to order new prescriptions
Ask your pharmacist to expedite orders if your location is out of stock. They can often redirect to other CVS stores with availability.
Online Order Inventory
Rather than a centralized ecommerce warehouse, CVS.com relies on local store product availability.
When logged into your account, you can:
- Check zip code-specific online inventory
- Call stores directly to ask about stock
- Line up curbside or in-store pickup if nearby availability
This allows faster direct fulfillment but varies more than centralized ecommerce order processing.
Seasonal & Vendor Restocks
In addition to standard inventory shipments, external factors lead stores to temporarily increase restock rates:
- Holidays: Additional inventoryordered to meet2-3x usual demand
- Inclementweather: Essentials restocked prepare for demand spikes
- New product launches: Stores stock andprominently display hot items
- Vendor-supplied: Brands like L’Oréal manage their own product availability
When looking for gift sets, limited releases or vendor items, checking expected delivery dates can help you timed visits during restocks.
While timely restocking is always the goal, CVS’ vast operation means hiccups can happen. Here are some tips to track inventory restocks when you’re looking for specific items:
- Check early/mid-week: Aim for likely restock shipment days
- Call ahead: Employees can share known inventory status
- Visit later in day: Gives time for shelves to be replenished
- Set alerts: Some sites notify for out-of-stock product returns
- Ask about vendor restock cycles: For brand name beauty, drinks, snacks, etc. that arrive separately from standard CVS inventory
Staying ahead of the restock game just takes a few helpful pointers. Now that you know what to expect for typical 2023 CVS resupply trends, you’ll have an insider edge for when those stores looking light on your go-to products.
