Consumption velocity
How fast is a product actually being used?
TrueSignal measures consumption velocity directly from customers, so reorder timing and subscription cadence are based on real usage - not an average order cycle.
The problem
Reorder timing is usually guessed, not measured.
Brands typically set reminder emails or subscription cadence based on an average order cycle across the whole catalogue - not how quickly any individual customer actually uses the product they bought.
That mismatch means reminders arrive too early for some customers and too late for others.
How it works
From a delivery survey to a usage signal
1. Order ships
TrueSignal picks up the shipped order and the SKU it contains.
2. Survey sent after delivery
A short question asks about expected or actual usage pace for that product.
3. Response linked to the SKU
Usage pace is stored against the specific product and variant.
4. Reported as a velocity signal
Dashboards show consumption velocity per SKU, to inform reorder timing.
Features
Signals tied to consumption
Consumption velocity
How quickly a product is used up, to inform reorder timing and subscription cadence.
Repeat purchase intent
Whether customers plan to buy again - an early retention signal.
Food waste signals
How much of a consumable product goes unused, by product and pack size.
SKU-level reporting
Usage pace tracked per product, not one catalogue-wide estimate.
Use cases
Where consumption velocity helps
- •Tuning subscription cadence to match how fast a product is actually used.
- •Timing reorder reminders for one-off purchase brands.
- •Sizing pack formats based on real usage pace, not assumptions.
- •Spotting food waste for consumable and perishable products.
Integrations
Shopify first
TrueSignal connects directly to Shopify to identify the SKU on every order automatically - no manual tagging or spreadsheet work required.
Subscription and replenishment tools are on the roadmap for feeding velocity data directly into reorder timing.
Common questions
Consumption velocity, answered
What is consumption velocity?
Consumption velocity is how quickly a product is used up after purchase. It helps predict when a customer is likely to need a replacement or reorder.
How does TrueSignal measure consumption velocity?
Through a short post-purchase survey question about usage pace, tied to the specific SKU purchased, then aggregated into a per-product signal.
Which brands find consumption velocity most useful?
Brands selling consumables or subscription products - supplements, beauty, pet food, coffee - where knowing usage pace directly informs reorder timing and cadence.
Does consumption velocity only matter for subscription brands?
No. One-off purchase brands use it to time reorder reminders and promotions; subscription brands use it to tune delivery cadence to match actual usage.
Founding partners
Time reorders to real usage, not an average cycle.
Become a TrueSignal founding partner and start measuring consumption velocity by SKU.
Become a Founding Partner