To read this content please select one of the options below:

Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, inventory management practices at a big-box retailer: a case study.

Benchmarking: An International Journal

ISSN : 1463-5771

Article publication date: 14 June 2022

Issue publication date: 24 August 2023

Managing inventory continues to be a growing area of concern for many retailers due to the multitude of issues that arise from either an excess or shortage of inventory. This study aims to understand how a large-scale retail chain can improve its handling of excess seasonal inventory using three common strategies: information sharing, visibility, and collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has been designed utilizing a case study method focusing on one retail chain at three key levels: strategic (head office), warehouses, and retail stores. The data have been collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with senior-level employees at each of the three levels and employing a thematic analysis to examine the major themes.

The results show how three common strategies are being practiced by this retailer and how utilizing these strategies aids the retailer in improving its performance in regard to seasonal inventory. Among our research findings, some challenges were discovered in implementing the strategies, most notably: human errors, advanced forecasting deficiencies, and the handling of return merchandise authorizations.

Originality/value

This research takes a case study approach and focuses on one big-box retailer. The authors chose to study three levels (head office, warehouses, and retail stores) to gain a deeper understanding of the functions and processes of each level, and to understand the working relationships between them. Through the collection of primary data in a Canadian context, this study contributes to the literature by investigating supply chain strategies for managing inventory. The Canadian context is especially interesting due to the multi-cultural demographics of the country.

  • Supply chain
  • Information sharing
  • Collaboration
  • Inventory management
  • North America

Esrar, H. , Zolfaghariania, H. and Yu, H. (2023), "Inventory management practices at a big-box retailer: a case study", Benchmarking: An International Journal , Vol. 30 No. 7, pp. 2458-2485. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-11-2021-0716

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles

We’re listening — tell us what you think, something didn’t work….

Report bugs here

All feedback is valuable

Please share your general feedback

Join us on our journey

Platform update page.

Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

Questions & More Information

Answers to the most commonly asked questions here

MBA Knowledge Base

Business • Management • Technology

Home » Management Case Studies » Case Study: Inventory Management Practices at Walmart

Case Study: Inventory Management Practices at Walmart

About walmart.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the largest retailer in the world, the world’s second-largest company and the nation’s largest nongovernmental employer.   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates retail stores in various retailing formats in all 50 states in the United States. The Company’s mass merchandising operations serve its customers primarily through the operation of three segments. The Wal-Mart Stores segment includes its discount stores, Supercenters, and Neighborhood Markets in the United States. The Sam’s club segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the United States. The Company’s subsidiary, McLane Company, Inc. provides products and distribution services to retail industry and institutional foodservice customers. Wal-Mart serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,416 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Wal-Mart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide. Nearly 75% of its stores are in the United States (“Wal-Mart International Operations”, 2004), but Wal-Mart is expanding internationally.   The Group is engaged in the operations of retail stores located in all 50 states of the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom, Central America, Chile, Mexico,India and China.

inventory management at walmart

Walmart Inventory Management

Wal-Mart had developed an ability to cater to the individual needs of its stores. Stores could choose from a number of delivery plans. For instance, there was an accelerated delivery system by which stores located within a certain distance of a geographical center could receive replenishment within a day.   Wal-Mart invested heavily in IT and communications systems to effectively track sales and merchandise inventories in stores across the country. With the rapid expansion of Wal-Mart stores in the US, it was essential to have a good communication system. Hence, Wal-Mart set up its own satellite communication system in 1983. Explaining the benefits of the system Walton said, “I can walk in the satellite room, where our technicians sit in front of the computer screens talking on the phone to any stores that might be having a problem with the system, and just looking over their shoulders for a minute or two will tell me a lot about how a particular day is going. On the screen, I can see the total of the day’s bank credit sales adding up as they occur. If we have something really important or urgent to communicate to the stores and distribution centers, I, or any other Wal-Mart executive can walk back to our TV studio and get on that satellite transmission and get it right out there. I can also go every Saturday morning around three, look over these printouts and know precisely what kind of work we have had.”

Wal-Mart was able to reduce unproductive inventory by allowing stores to manage their own stocks, reducing pack sizes across many product categories, and timely price markdowns. Instead of cutting inventory across the board, Wal-Mart made full use of its IT capabilities to make more inventories available in the case of items that customers wanted most, while reducing the overall inventory levels. Wal-Mart also networked its suppliers through computers. The company entered into collaboration with P&G for maintaining the inventory in its stores and built an automated reordering system, which linked all computers between P&G and its stores and other distribution centers. The computer system at Wal-Mart stores identified an item which was low in stock and sent a signal to P&G. The system then sent a re-supply order to the nearest P&G factory through a satellite communication system. P&G then delivered the item either to the Wal-Mart distribution center or directly to the concerned stores. This collaboration between Wal-Mart and P&G was a win-win proposition for both because Wal-Mart could monitor its stock levels in the stores constantly and also identify the items that were moving fast. P&G could also lower its costs and pass on some of the savings to Wal-Mart due to better coordination.

Employees at the stores had the ‘Magic Wand,’ a hand-held computer which was linked to in-store terminals through a radio frequency network. These helped them to keep track of the inventory in stores, deliveries and backup merchandise in stock at the distribution centers. The order management and store replenishment of goods were entirely executed with the help of computers through the Point-of-Sales (POS) system. Through this system, it was possible to monitor and track the sales and merchandise stock levels on the store shelves. Wal-Mart also made use of the sophisticated algorithm system which enabled it to forecast the exact quantities of each item to be delivered, based on the inventories in each store. Since the data was accurate, even bulk items could be broken and supplied to the stores. Wal-Mart also used a centralized inventory data system using which the personnel at the stores could find out the level of inventories and the location of each product at any given time. It also showed whether a product was being loaded in the distribution center or was in transit on a truck. Once the goods were unloaded at the store, the store was furnished with full stocks of inventories of a particular item and the inventory data system was immediately updated.

Wal-Mart also made use of bar coding and radio frequency technology to manage its inventories. Using bar codes and fixed optical readers, the goods could be directed to the appropriate dock, from where they were loaded on to the trucks for shipment. Bar coding devices enabled efficient picking, receiving and proper inventory control of the appropriate goods. It also enabled easy order packing and physical counting of the inventories.   In 1991, Wal-Mart had invested approximately $4 billion to build a retail link system. More than 10,000 Wal-Mart retail suppliers used the retail link system to monitor the sales of their goods at stores and replenish inventories. The details of daily transactions, which approximately amounted to more than 10 million per day, were processed through this integrated system and were furnished to every Wal-Mart store by 4 a.m., the next day. In October 2001, Wal-Mart tied-up with Atlas Commerce for upgrading the system through the Internet enabled technologies.   Wal-Mart owned the largest and most sophisticated computer system in the private sector. The company used Massively Parallel Processor (MPP) computer system to track the movement of goods and stock levels. All information related to sales and inventories was passed on through an advanced satellite communication system. To provide back-up in case of a major breakdown or service interruption, the company had an extensive contingency plan. By making effective use of computers in all its company’s operations, Wal-Mart was successful in providing uninterrupted service to its customers, suppliers, stockholders and trading partners.    

Related Posts:

  • Case Study of Zara: Sustainability in Fast Fashion Industry
  • Case Study on Business Systems Planning And Implementation : McDonald's Corporation
  • Case Study: How Walmart Enhances Supply Chain Management with ERP Initiatives?
  • Case Study: Management Information System at Dell
  • Case Study: Why Walmart Failed in Germany?
  • Case Study: Wal-Marts Competitive Advantage
  • Case Study: Why Woolworths Failed as a Business?
  • Case Study: Tesco's US Grocery Market Entry
  • Case Study: Analysis of the Ethical Behavior of Coca Cola
  • Case Study of PanAmSat: Recovering from a Satellite Failure

One thought on “ Case Study: Inventory Management Practices at Walmart ”

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Book cover

  • © 2018

Problems & Solutions in Inventory Management

  • Dinesh Shenoy 0 ,
  • Roberto Rosas 1

Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus León, Mexico

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Presents realistic and thought-provoking numerical problems that will motivate mid-level undergraduate students to pursue further studies and research in Inventory Management

Provides solutions to more than 200 numerical problems that students can use to grasp and learn inventory management

Presents 10 case studies in traditional and modern/current inventory management techniques

Summarizes inventory management in a form that graduating students can apply to their workplace

43k Accesses

12 Citations

  • Table of contents

About this book

Authors and affiliations, about the authors, bibliographic information.

  • Publish with us

Buying options

  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
  • Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (11 chapters)

Front matter, basics of inventory management, introduction to inventory management.

Dinesh Shenoy, Roberto Rosas

Inventory Control Systems: Design Factors

Single-item inventory models, deterministic inventory models, dynamic inventory control models, lot-sizing heuristics, stochastic inventory models, multi-item inventory models, multi-item inventory models subject to constraints, selective inventory control models, advanced inventory models, inventory models for perishable items and style goods, inventory models for maintenance and repairable items, multi-echelon inventory models, back matter.

This book presents a compilation of over 200 numerical problems and solutions that students can use to learn, practice and master the Inventory Control and Management concepts.

Intended as a companion to any of the standard textbooks in Inventory Control and Management and written in simple language, it illustrates very clearly the steps students need to follow in order to solve a given problem. It also explains which solution methodologies can be used under which circumstances.

  • Numerical problems and solutions in Inventory Control
  • Inventory Control Practice Problems and solutions
  • Inventory control textbook
  • Solutions to Operations Management problems
  • EOQ models and solutions
  • Quantity Discounts models
  • Production Planning Models
  • Dependent Demand problems
  • Engineering Economics

Prof. Dr. Dinesh Shenoy is a Professor of Industrial Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), Mexico. He teaches Inventory Management and allied courses in Operations Management to senior undergraduate students. He is best known for his contributions to the field of Spare Parts Management and is the author of Maintenance Resources Management: Adapting MRP (Taylor & Francis, 1998). Dinesh received his doctoral degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, in 1995. Between 1995 and 2009, Dinesh worked with large multinational organizations such as ANZ Bank (Melbourne), Thomson Financial in Bangalore and Barclays Capital (Singapore) and relieved in leadership roles in Operations and Technology. He was also a visiting faculty member at Narsee Monjee University between 2010 and 2016.

Book Title : Problems & Solutions in Inventory Management

Authors : Dinesh Shenoy, Roberto Rosas

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65696-0

Publisher : Springer Cham

eBook Packages : Engineering , Engineering (R0)

Copyright Information : Springer International Publishing AG 2018

Hardcover ISBN : 978-3-319-65695-3 Published: 13 October 2017

Softcover ISBN : 978-3-319-88082-2 Published: 31 August 2018

eBook ISBN : 978-3-319-65696-0 Published: 05 October 2017

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XIII, 283

Number of Illustrations : 43 b/w illustrations, 6 illustrations in colour

Topics : Engineering Economics, Organization, Logistics, Marketing , Operations Management , Mathematical Modeling and Industrial Mathematics , Manufacturing, Machines, Tools, Processes , Operations Research, Management Science

Policies and ethics

  • Find a journal
  • Track your research

20 Inventory Management Challenges and Solutions for 2022 and Beyond

Abby Jenkins

The lifeblood of your business is getting your products to your customers on time. And staying on top of your inventory and managing it efficiently helps you meet demand and generate sales. We’ll walk through some of the common inventory management challenges—and how to overcome them. To learn more, read our inventory management article .

20 Common Inventory Management Challenges

Managing inventory is a daunting task. The process and results impact every aspect of your business. To help, here are 20 common inventory management challenges to watch for in your supply chain.

Inconsistent Tracking:

Using manual inventory tracking procedures across different software and spreadsheets is time-consuming, redundant and vulnerable to errors. Even small businesses can benefit from a centralized inventory tracking system that includes accounting features.

Warehouse Efficiency:

Inventory management controls at the warehouse is labor-intensive and involves several steps, including receiving and putaway, picking, packing and shipping. The challenge is to perform all these tasks in the most efficient way possible.

Inaccurate Data:

You need to know, at any given moment, exactly what inventory you have. Gone are the days when inventory could be counted once a year with an all-hands-on-deck approach.

Changing Demand:

Customer demand is constantly shifting. Keeping too much could result in obsolete inventory you’re unable to sell, while keeping too little could leave you unable to fulfill customer orders. Order strategies for core items, as well as technology to create and execute an inventory plan, can help compensate for changing demand.

Limited Visibility:

When your inventory is hard to identify or locate in the warehouse, it leads to incomplete, inaccurate or delayed shipments. Receiving and finding the right stock is vital to efficient warehouse operations and positive customer experiences.

Manual Documentation:

Managing inventory with paperwork and manual processes is tedious and not secure. And it doesn’t easily scale across multiple warehouses with lots of stock.

Problem Stock:

Perishable and fragile stock need specialized plans for care and storage. And high-value inventory needs specific loss-prevention strategies and inventory controls.

Supply Chain Complexity:

Global supply chains shift daily , placing a burden on your inventory planning and management operations. The manufacturers and wholesale distributors that dictate when, where and how your inventory ships require flexibility and offer unpredictable lead times.

Managing Warehouse Space:

Efficiently managing space is an intimidating task. Planning and designing warehouse spaces with inventory management platforms helps you better control the timing of new stock deliveries. It can account for important factors, such as available space. Read more about the differences between warehouse management and inventory management.

Insufficient Order Management:

One of the most common challenges to sound inventory management is preventing the overselling of products and running out of inventory. Using historical and seasonal data trends can help you accurately predict customer orders.

Increasing Competition:

Globalized supply chains are subject to unpredictable economic shifts and market forces that impact the competition for raw materials. Small businesses are sometimes faced with choosing between competing for high-demand materials or holding enough inventory to control costs.

Evolving Packaging:

Compostable packaging—or removing packaging all together—to reduce waste presents new obstacles for warehouse design and storage. It may even mean new equipment or shorter shelf life for some items.

Expanding Product Portfolios:

Many online retail strategies remove the need for large warehouse distribution centers. These strategies make it easier to expand inventory and diversify product portfolios, but demand technology and resources for ordering, shipping and tracking.

Overstocking:

Keeping too much stock on hand can be as problematic as having too little. Overstock impacts business cash flow and leads to inventory-related problems, such as storage and loss.

Inventory Loss:

The loss of inventory due to spoilage, damage or theft can be a supply chain problem. It requires identifying, tracking and measuring problem areas.

Poor Production Planning:

Production planning is vital for avoiding delayed manufacturing and cost overruns. If not done well, it can impact sales forecasts and project scheduling.

Lack of Expertise:

It can be tough to find skilled inventory managers who are adept at the latest technology and can improve inventory strategy. Simply upgrading your inventory management platform with a host of features isn’t enough. You need capable management.

Poor Communication:

Communication and collaboration are key. When departments are apathetic about sharing information, it makes identifying inventory trends and finding ways to improve much more difficult.

Inefficient Processes:

Low-tech, manual inventory management procedures don’t seem like a daunting challenge when inventory is small and there’s only one warehouse location to manage. But as sales volume increases and inventory expands, inefficient, labor-intensive and low-tech standard operating procedures are difficult to scale.

Inadequate Software:

To scale inventory management software to support complex logistics, it needs to integrate with your existing business process platforms. The difficult task is choosing from hundreds of inventory management solutions and mastering a host of features that require training and ongoing support.

Award Winning Cloud Inventory

20 Solutions to Overcome Inventory Management Challenges

Inventory management is immensely complex. Here are some solutions to the common inventory management challenges listed above.

Centralized Tracking:

Consider upgrading to tracking software that provides automated features for re-ordering and procurement. Inventory management platforms provide centralized, cloud-based databases for accurate, automatic inventory updates and real-time data backup.

Transparent Performance:

Measure and report warehouse performance metrics like inventory turnover, customer satisfaction and order processing speed to overcome warehouse inefficiencies. Share this data with employees and suppliers. 

Stock Auditing:

Frequent stock auditing processes, like daily cycle counting, reduce human error and provide more accurate, up-to-date inventory data for managing cash flow . Organize audits by category and cycle count smaller inventory samples on a predictable schedule for more accurate financial data.

Demand Forecasting:

Some inventory management platforms include demand forecasting tools. This feature integrates with accounting and sales data to help you predict demand and schedule orders based on shifting customer preferences, material availability or seasonal trends.

Add Imagery:

Add images with product descriptions in your inventory database to improve purchasing and receiving processes, enhance accuracy and prevent misplaced inventory.

Go Paperless:

Give employees the right inventory tools for the job. They need software to replace manual inventory documentation, and paperless transactions for invoices and purchase orders.

Preventive Control:

Implement stock control systems to manage problem inventory, such as perishable stock, fragile equipment or obsolete materials. Perform regular preventive maintenance on machinery and equipment stock in storage if required by the manufacturer. Catalog data on problem stock location, cost and quantity to monitor shelf life and prevent waste.

Measure Service Levels:

Monitor and track supplier data, such as shipment errors, damaged or defective products and missed delivery appointments. Measure your supplier’s performance to find and fix supply chain disruptions , reduce complexity and streamline logistics.

Optimize Space:

Use inventory management systems with warehouse management features to optimize storage space and inventory flow. Categorize inventory storage down to shelf, bin and compartment, and automate order picking, packing and shipping workflows.

Automate Reorders:

Backordered inventory delays production and creates poor customer experiences. Use inventory management software to set automatic reorder points based on preset stock levels and current availability to avoid overselling.

Safety Stock:

Maintain safety stock to offset supply chain disruptions and help manage increased lead times due to shifting international competition for raw materials. Proper inventory planning helps operations adapt to dynamic global supply chains.

Classify Inventory:

Create inventory classifications to manage changing trends, such as packaging initiatives to reduce plastic waste. Categorize stock by packaging type, dimensions and product. Use this information to control shipping costs and storage location better.

Multi-Location Warehousing:

Use multi-location warehouse management features to track and control expanding inventories. Take advantage of receiving and put-away schedules with automated inventory tracking alerts and scheduling features that keep tabs on warehouse location and in-transit inventory .

Leverage Lead Times:

Take lead times into account when placing orders for high-demand stock. Track and manage your high-demand inventory using cycle counting data to set automatic reorder points and average lead time to preventing stockouts .

Reduce Human Error:

Use inventory control processes like blind receiving with barcodes and mobile scanners to prevent human error, inventory manipulation and shrinkage due to theft or negligence.

Plan Demand:

Use an inventory management system with advanced demand forecasting and reporting features to prioritize your top inventory. Take into account the availability of the top 20% of inventory that generates 80% of your customer demand. To learn more about inventory planning and demand forecasting, read our essential guide to inventory planning .  

Subcontract Expertise:

Consider outsourcing to an expert in inventory management. Contract in-person training and provide online support to help employees follow best practices for working with technical inventory management software features.

Dashboard Collaboration:

Introduce dashboards with simple interfaces that show real-time inventory data. Having everything on one screen helps remove communication barriers across accounting, sales and warehouse operations.

Productivity Tools:

All the information you need about your inventory can be in your pocket. With mobile solutions and cloud-based software, you can control inventory and improve your warehouse productivity from anywhere in the world.  

Update Platforms:

Upgrading to a cloud-based inventory management platform doesn’t just give all the latest features. You get to take advantage of the vendor’s expertise and training while it’s being implemented.

Summary of Inventory Management Challenges and Solutions

Use this quick-reference chart to review common inventory management challenges and suggestions for how to overcome them.

Inventory Management

Overcome Challenges With Inventory Management Software

The right inventory management platform can automate processes, improve inventory practices and enhance customer experiences. NetSuite offers a collection of native inventory management and control features to help overcome some of the biggest inventory management challenges. Track inventory across multiple locations, automatically manage reorder points, forecast demand and plan production and distribution.

just in time vs. just in case

Just-in-Time vs Just-in-Case: Choosing the Right Strategy

Just-in-time (JIT) and just-in-case (JIC) are on opposite ends of the inventory philosophy spectrum: One aims for lean operations, the other makes stockpiling a priority. Both are commonly employed in manufacturing and…

More On This

backorder defined

Trending Articles

inventory management

Learn How NetSuite Can Streamline Your Business

NetSuite has packaged the experience gained from tens of thousands of worldwide deployments over two decades into a set of leading practices that pave a clear path to success and are proven to deliver rapid business value. With NetSuite, you go live in a predictable timeframe — smart, stepped implementations begin with sales and span the entire customer lifecycle, so there’s continuity from sales to services to support.

Before you go...

Discover the products that 37,000+ customers depend on to fuel their growth.

Before you go. Talk with our team or check out these resources.

Want to set up a chat later? Let us do the lifting.

NetSuite ERP

Explore what NetSuite ERP can do for you.

Business Guide

Complete Guide to Cloud ERP Implementation

Using Data Analytics for Effective Inventory Management: A Real-Life Example

inventory management case study with solution

Effective inventory management is crucial for companies striving to stay competitive. Executives and decision-makers in large enterprises are constantly seeking innovative solutions to optimize their inventory levels, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. One powerful tool that has emerged in recent years is data analytics. By harnessing the power of data, companies can gain valuable insights into their inventory management processes and make data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency and profitability.

inventory management case study with solution

In this blog, we will explore a real-life example of a company that successfully implemented data analytics to transform its inventory management practices. By examining their journey, we will uncover the key benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with using data analytics for effective inventory management.

inventory management case study with solution

Case Study: Aliaxis Corporation

To illustrate the impact of data analytics on inventory management, let's delve into the case of Aliaxis Corporation, a global leader in manufacturing and distribution. Aliaxis had been facing significant challenges in managing their vast inventory, resulting in excessive carrying costs, stockouts, and missed sales opportunities. Seeking a solution, Aliaxis embarked on a data analytics initiative to gain deeper insights into their inventory operations.

The Data Analytics Solution

Aliaxis began by consolidating and integrating their data from various sources, including sales records, supplier information, production schedules, and customer feedback. This data formed the foundation for their inventory analytics platform. Leveraging advanced analytics techniques, Aliaxis implemented a series of algorithms and models to analyze their inventory data and generate actionable insights.

inventory management case study with solution

Key Benefits of Data Analytics for Aliaxis

The implementation of data analytics brought about a multitude of benefits for Aliaxis Corporation. Let's explore some of the key advantages they experienced:

Demand Forecasting : By analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and external factors, Aliaxis could accurately forecast demand for their products. This enabled them to optimize inventory levels and avoid both excess and insufficient stock.

Optimized Reordering : Leveraging data analytics, Aliaxis identified the optimal reorder points and order quantities for each product. This eliminated overstocking and reduced lead times, resulting in significant cost savings.

Supplier Performance Evaluation : Aliaxis used data analytics to evaluate the performance of their suppliers. By monitoring metrics such as delivery times, quality, and pricing, they could make informed decisions about their supplier relationships, ensuring reliability and efficiency in the supply chain.

Stockout Prevention : Through real-time monitoring of inventory levels and demand patterns, Aliaxis successfully mitigated the risk of stockouts. By proactively replenishing stock, they avoided lost sales opportunities and improved customer satisfaction.

Inventory Optimization : Aliaxis leveraged data analytics to identify slow-moving and obsolete inventory. By addressing these issues promptly, they freed up valuable warehouse space and reduced carrying costs.

inventory management case study with solution

Overcoming Challenges

While the benefits of data analytics in inventory management are substantial, Aliaxis faced several challenges during their implementation. It is important to be aware of these potential obstacles and address them proactively. Some of the challenges encountered by Aliaxis and their corresponding solutions include:

Data Quality : Aliaxis initially faced challenges in ensuring data accuracy and completeness. They addressed this issue by investing in data cleansing and validation processes, as well as establishing data governance protocols.

Integration Complexity : Consolidating data from disparate sources proved to be a complex task for Aliaxis. To overcome this challenge, they employed data integration tools and technologies, ensuring seamless data flow across the organization.

Skill Set Requirements : Aliaxis had to upskill its workforce to utilize data analytics tools and interpret insights effectively. They invested in training programs and hired data analytics experts to bridge the skills gap.

Change Management : Implementing data analytics necessitated a shift in Aliaxis's organizational culture. They focused on change management strategies, fostering a data-driven mindset among employees and ensuring buy-in from all stakeholders.

inventory management case study with solution

Best Practices for Effective Data Analytics in Inventory Management

Based on Aliaxis's experience and industry best practices, here are some key recommendations for effectively using data analytics in inventory management:

Define Clear Objectives : Clearly define the goals and objectives of your data analytics initiative. Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) you aim to improve and align your efforts accordingly.

Leverage Advanced Analytics Techniques : Utilize advanced analytics techniques such as forecasting models, optimization algorithms, and machine learning algorithms to extract meaningful insights from your inventory data.

Invest in Data Quality : Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of your data. Implement data cleansing and validation processes, and establish data governance protocols to maintain data integrity.

Integrate Data Sources : Consolidate data from various sources, including sales records, supplier information, and customer feedback. Invest in data integration tools and technologies to enable seamless data flow and comprehensive analysis.

Build a Skilled Team : Invest in training programs and recruit data analytics experts to build a team capable of effectively leveraging data analytics tools and interpreting insights.

Foster a Data-Driven Culture : Promote a data-driven mindset across the organization. Encourage employees to embrace data-driven decision-making and provide them with the necessary tools and resources to do so.

Continuously Monitor and Improve : Establish a feedback loop and continuously monitor the performance of your data analytics initiatives. Regularly evaluate the outcomes and refine your strategies to drive continuous improvement.

Closing Thoughts

Data analytics has emerged as a game-changer in inventory management, enabling companies to optimize their inventory levels, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Aliaxis Corporation's successful implementation of data analytics serves as a real-life example of the transformative impact this technology can have. By leveraging data analytics techniques, companies can gain actionable insights, enhance decision-making, and drive operational excellence in their inventory management practices. To stay ahead in today's competitive landscape, executives and decision-makers must embrace data analytics and leverage it to unlock the full potential of their inventory management processes.

inventory management case study with solution

Q1: How can data analytics improve demand forecasting for inventory management?

A1: Data analytics improves demand forecasting by analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and external factors. Advanced techniques such as time series analysis and predictive modeling are applied to identify patterns, seasonality, and demand drivers. By leveraging these insights, companies can accurately forecast future demand, optimize inventory levels, and avoid both excess stock and stockouts.

Q2: What is the impact of data analytics on inventory carrying costs?

A2: Data analytics has a significant impact on inventory carrying costs. By optimizing reorder points and quantities, companies can reduce excess inventory, which directly lowers carrying costs. Accurate demand forecasting and real-time monitoring of inventory levels also help prevent stockouts, minimizing lost sales and associated costs. By identifying slow-moving and obsolete inventory, data analytics enables prompt action, freeing up valuable warehouse space and reducing carrying costs further.

Q3: How does data analytics help in supplier performance evaluation?

A3: Data analytics plays a vital role in evaluating supplier performance. By monitoring supplier metrics such as delivery times, quality, and pricing, companies can make informed decisions about supplier relationships. Advanced analytics techniques enable the analysis of supplier data, identifying areas of improvement and ensuring reliability and efficiency in the supply chain. By leveraging data-driven insights, companies can strengthen their supplier partnerships, negotiate better terms, and drive cost savings.

Q4: Can data analytics prevent stockouts and improve customer satisfaction?

A4: Yes, data analytics can prevent stockouts and improve customer satisfaction. Real-time monitoring of inventory levels combined with accurate demand forecasting helps companies proactively replenish stock, reducing the risk of stockouts. By ensuring products are available when customers need them, companies can meet customer expectations, increase fill rates, and enhance customer satisfaction. Timely delivery of orders and improved order accuracy, driven by data analytics insights, also contribute to customer satisfaction.

Q5: How can data analytics optimize inventory levels?

A5: Data analytics optimizes inventory levels by providing insights into demand patterns, seasonality, and customer behavior. By leveraging advanced analytics techniques, such as optimization algorithms, companies can determine optimal reorder points and order quantities for each product. This helps minimize lead times, eliminate overstocking, and achieve significant cost savings. By analyzing historical sales data and market trends, data analytics identifies opportunities to right-size inventory, improving operational efficiency and profitability.

Q6: What are the key challenges in implementing data analytics for inventory management?

A6: Implementing data analytics for inventory management can present challenges. Some key challenges include ensuring data quality and accuracy, integrating data from various sources, addressing skill set requirements, and managing change within the organization. Data cleansing and validation processes, data governance protocols, and investment in data integration tools can help overcome these challenges. Additionally, upskilling the workforce through training programs and fostering a data-driven culture are crucial to successful implementation.

Q7: How can companies overcome data quality challenges in data analytics implementation?

A7: Overcoming data quality challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. Companies can invest in data cleansing and validation processes to ensure data accuracy and completeness. Data governance protocols help maintain data integrity and consistency across systems. Regular data source audits and validation procedures can minimize errors. Collaborating with IT teams and implementing robust data quality management practices will ensure high-quality data for accurate analytics and reliable insights.

Q8: What are the best practices for effective data analytics in inventory management?

A8: Effective data analytics in inventory management requires following best practices. These include defining clear objectives for the data analytics initiative, leveraging advanced analytics techniques for accurate insights, investing in data quality through cleansing and validation processes, integrating data sources for comprehensive analysis, building a skilled team with data analytics expertise, fostering a data-driven culture, and continuously monitoring and improving based on data-driven insights. By adopting these best practices, companies can optimize inventory management and achieve better business outcomes.

Q9: How can companies foster a data-driven culture in inventory management?

A9: Fostering a data-driven culture in inventory management involves several key steps. It starts with executive support and commitment to data-driven decision-making. Companies should provide employees with access to data analytics tools and resources and offer training programs to enhance analytical skills. Creating cross-functional teams and encouraging collaboration between departments helps foster a culture of data-driven decision-making. Regular communication of successes achieved through data-driven approaches reinforces the value and benefits of using data analytics in inventory management.

Q10: How should companies monitor and evaluate the performance of their data analytics initiatives?

A10: Companies should establish a feedback loop to monitor and evaluate the performance of their data analytics initiatives. This involves defining key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with the objectives of the initiative, such as inventory turnover, fill rates, and cost savings. Regularly analyze and measure the outcomes against these KPIs, leveraging data analytics tools and techniques. Conduct periodic reviews and refine strategies based on insights gained. Continuous monitoring and evaluation enable companies to identify areas for improvement, optimize processes, and drive ongoing enhancements in their inventory management practices.

inventory management case study with solution

Rasheed Rabata

Is a solution and ROI-driven CTO, consultant, and system integrator with experience in deploying data integrations, Data Hubs, Master Data Management, Data Quality, and Data Warehousing solutions. He has a passion for solving complex data problems. His career experience showcases his drive to deliver software and timely solutions for business needs.

Related posts

Low code data solutions and service for the modern information age..

inventory management case study with solution

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

  • We're Hiring!
  • Help Center

paper cover thumbnail

Case Study on Inventory Management Improvement

Profile image of Clark Cabiling

– Inventory management is a challenging problem area in supply chain management. Companies need to have inventories in warehouses in order to fulfil customer demand, meanwhile these inventories have holding costs and this is frozen fund that can be lost. Therefore, the task of inventory management is to find the quantity of inventories that will fulfil the demand, avoiding overstocks. This paper presents a case study for the assembling company on inventory management. It is proposed to use inventory management in order to decrease stock levels and to apply an agent system for automation of inventory management processes.

Related Papers

Ahmed Mohamoud Ayoub

inventory management case study with solution

International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology

Tarun Yadav

As a result to today's uncertain economy, companies are searching for alternative ways to stay competitive. This study goes through the process of analyzing the company's current forecasting model and recommending an inventory control model to help them solve their current issue. As a result, an Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and a Reorder Point was recommended to help them reduce their product stock outs. The shortage of raw material for production always makes the process discontinuous and reduces the productivity. The ABC analysis technique for the inventory control system is first used to identify the most important multiple products and then the economic order quantity (EOQ) of each product is developed to find their inventory model equation individually.

Ab Mukmin Min

This study investigates the impact of a warehouse management system on supply chain performance that provides less resources effort, more efficient, and reliable inventory management system. The supply chain procedures carried out in the warehouse were reviewed before customizing a software that can handle the necessary transactions. The software was tested for enhancing the work flow and providing a timely and efficient handling. Data was collected from the warehouse of a leading telecommunications service provider in Jordan. Furthermore, the facility layout was studied and we introduced a production station within the warehouse, which resulted in better space optimization/utilization of the warehouse. The production station consists of three steps: bundling, labelling, and repackaging. The system handles three phases of product lifecycle: receiving, processing, and distribution of SIM and prepaid scratch cards. Each phase of the product lifecycle was discussed in detail and the process/procedure gaps were identified. This work can serve both as a practical guide and industrial example for some researchers to compare the software inventory management system with the traditional manual system in the telecommunications sector in Jordan. It also highlights the gap between theory and practice; to motivate researchers to develop and customize new systems for mitigating supply chain disruptions.

fikri dweiri

Inventory management system for any company is essential to fulfil customer demands on time and in cost effective manner. Selection and implementation of inventory management system for any company management is vital. In this paper, we will discuss the most commonly used inventory management tools and using a real furniture company data as a case study, we will implement the inventory management system. In last, we will compare the implemented inventory management system with the existing system and infer the results.

Procedia CIRP

Abeer Qaderi

peeyush vats

Inventory control decisions are always very critical issues in an effective supply chain. One of the major decision areas in supply chain management is inventory. There are mainly two classical approaches for inventory control i.e. deterministic approach, probabilistic approach or stochastic approach. In this paper another approach i.e. multi agent approach is discussed for inventory control in supply chain. Many researchers applied Multi agent modeling system in various areas of supply chain and inventory and found better results as compared to conventional methods. In this paper a review of multi-agent modeling approaches for inventory control is discussed. In this paper a new inventory control system ICMAS is also introduced.

Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering

Ali Nookabadi

International Journal of Computer Engineering in Research Trends

IJCERT Publications

The main objective of this paper was to study the inventory management techniques and analyze the pros and cons of the existing technique and if needed, suggest a better-suited technique. The paper also sketches a background on the various costs involved and general inventory management techniques followed. The study uses a descriptive research design. The area of the study was a mechanical industry which produces valves, located in Chennai which is located in the Ambattur Industrial Estate. The inputs from the respondents were collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Secondary information was collected from different sources like; textbooks, internet, newspapers, magazines, and journals. The researchers obtained information from the staff and some clients who order directly from its premises. The sample size consisted of 50 respondents. The gender and age compositions of the respondents were established to eliminate any bias, in case of any. The results from the questionnaires and personal interviews were tabulated and analyzed and a relationship between the inventory management technique employed and performance was established based on the opinions of the respondents. A majority of the respondents agreed to positive relationship between the technique and performance of the company. A few respondents indicated inventory management as having a negative relationship on the performance. These same respondents believed that, inventory management involves a lot of costs, inconsistency as there is overcharging of customers, use of highly skilled workers in charge of managing inventories, theft, obsolescence among others all of which increase on the costs hence reducing much of the on the performance of the organization in question especially in the production department.

Nakul Sharma

RELATED PAPERS

Revista Ingenieria Uc

Dayana Carrillo

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

Ogaga Urhie

Joseph Tabolt

Joelma Sampaio

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Burton Rochelson

Brazilian Journal of Health Review

Ahmed Mostafa

Clinical Ophthalmology

Shireen Shousha

International Journal of Business and Management

Shri Dewi Applanaidu

Néri Emílio Soares Júnior

Óscar Salguero

Hailemeskel Hailemarkos

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia

SIMONE LESTON DA SILVA

Journal of endodontics

Somayeh Alirezaei

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Dorota Formanowicz

Diagnostics

Muhammad Afzaal khan

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

Lacey Levitt

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -)

Sharon Geary

21St Century School Fund

Carol O'Cleireacain

Nicla Borrelli

Mathematica (Cluj)

Agricultural Socio-Economics Journal

Riyanti Isaskar

Chemical Communications

Jianlu Zheng

Maciej Sołtysik

See More Documents Like This

  •   We're Hiring!
  •   Help Center
  • Find new research papers in:
  • Health Sciences
  • Earth Sciences
  • Cognitive Science
  • Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Academia ©2024

inventory management case study with solution

Walmart Supply Chain: Building a Successful Integrated Supply Chain for Sustainable Competitive Advantage

  • Case Studies

Introduction

The global business landscape has witnessed an increasingly fierce competition, pushing companies to seek effective strategies to maintain and enhance their competitiveness. Among these strategies, the role of supply chain capability stands out as a key factor in driving success. A well-optimized supply chain not only ensures efficient delivery and cost-effectiveness but also provides companies with a competitive advantage in the market. In this context, Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has demonstrated a highly successful and integrated Walmart supply chain, propelling its growth and dominance in the retail industry.

This case study aims to delve into the significance of supply chain capability for enhancing a company’s competitiveness and how it serves as a competitive advantage for companies. Additionally, we will explore the imperative need for supply chain redesign in the global economy to adapt to the challenges of the modern era of globalization. Focusing on Walmart’s exemplary supply chain practices, the purpose of this case study is to analyze the features of its successful integrated supply chain while identifying relevant issues in the context of the current globalized market.

[Read More: Rivian: Navigating Supply Chain and Operational Challenges and Embracing Growth ]

Walmart’s Supply Chain: Integrated Supply Chain Success

Data-driven success factors.

In the realm of modern supply chain management, data-driven strategies play a pivotal role in enhancing a company’s competitiveness. Walmart’s remarkable success as the world’s largest retailer can be attributed to its astute utilization of data analysis and advanced technologies within its integrated supply chain. This section delves into the key data-driven success factors that have propelled Walmart’s supply chain to the forefront of the retail industry.

[Read More: ERP Master Data: A Guide to Improve Quality & Governance ]

Role of Data Analysis through Barcode Scanning and Point-of-Sale Systems

Data analysis is at the core of Walmart’s supply chain prowess. The company has implemented sophisticated barcode scanning and point-of-sale systems to collect real-time data from its stores. By employing these technologies, Walmart gains valuable insights into customer buying behavior, sales trends, and inventory levels. The ability to analyze this data enables the retail giant to make informed decisions on product procurement, inventory management, and demand forecasting.

Efficient Supply Chain Practices: Automated Distribution Centers and Computerized Inventory Systems

Automation is a key component of Walmart’s efficient supply chain practices. The company has strategically invested in automated distribution centers, streamlining the flow of products from manufacturers to stores. These automated facilities not only optimize the handling and movement of goods but also enable faster order fulfillment and replenishment. Additionally, computerized inventory systems provide Walmart with accurate and up-to-date information about stock levels, allowing for precise inventory control and reducing the risk of stockouts or excess inventory.

inventory management case study with solution

Utilizing Walmart’s Own Trucking System and Cross-Docking Logistics

Another critical factor contributing to Walmart’s supply chain success is the utilization of its private trucking system and cross-docking logistics. By maintaining its own trucking fleet, Walmart gains greater control over transportation and delivery schedules, leading to improved efficiency and timely product replenishment. Furthermore, the adoption of cross-docking logistics techniques has enabled Walmart to minimize the need for intermediate storage, leading to reduced handling costs and faster product movement through the supply chain.

[Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Contract Logistics: What You Need to Know ]

Information Technologies Driving Efficiency

In Walmart’s journey towards becoming a global leader, information technologies have played a pivotal role in driving efficiency within the integrated Walmart supply chain. The retail giant has strategically adopted various IT initiatives to optimize its operations, enhance collaboration with suppliers, and achieve real-time inventory targeting. These technologies have contributed significantly to Walmart’s supply chain success, allowing them to maintain a competitive edge in the retail industry.

Supply Chain Digitalization Assessment

Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR)

One of the key information technologies that have bolstered Walmart’s supply chain efficiency is the implementation of Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR). This system facilitates seamless communication and coordination between Walmart and its supply chain partners, including suppliers and distributors. By sharing real-time sales data and demand information, CPFR enables accurate forecasting and demand planning, minimizing information distortion, and promoting synchronized inventory replenishment. The CPFR program has been instrumental in enhancing overall supply chain visibility and efficiency, allowing Walmart to respond promptly to fluctuations in demand and supply, reducing stockouts, and optimizing inventory levels.

Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) and Its Benefits

Walmart’s adoption of Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) has been another critical information technology-driven initiative. Through VMI, Walmart empowers its suppliers to take on the responsibility of managing their inventory stored in Walmart’s warehouses. By granting suppliers access to real-time inventory data and sales information, Walmart facilitates efficient inventory tracking and replenishment. This hands-on approach by suppliers results in streamlined inventory management, reduced delays in replenishment, and lower stockouts. The VMI model has proved particularly advantageous for Walmart due to its vast product range and numerous suppliers, making inventory management complex and costly if managed solely by the retailer.

[Read More: Vendor Managed Inventory: A Comprehensive Guide ]

Leveraging RFID Technology for Real-Time Inventory Targeting

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology has been a game-changer in Walmart’s pursuit of real-time inventory targeting and enhanced supply chain visibility. By employing RFID tags on products, Walmart can track the movement of inventory throughout the supply chain in real-time. RFID enables accurate and automated inventory tracking, reducing the need for manual counting and minimizing errors in inventory management. The technology also provides crucial details, such as production time, location, and expiry dates of goods, allowing for efficient inventory targeting and better control over inventory turnover. RFID technology has been instrumental in Walmart’s cost reduction efforts, ensuring optimal stock levels while avoiding overstocking and unnecessary inventory holding costs.

Achieving Competitive Advantage through Strategy

Walmart’s competitive strategy: “everyday low prices” (edlp).

Walmart’s competitive advantage is deeply rooted in its strategic focus on offering “Everyday Low Prices” (EDLP) to its customers. The EDLP strategy revolves around providing high-quality products and services at the lowest possible prices, ensuring that customers can benefit from affordable prices every day. This approach sets Walmart apart from its competitors and has been instrumental in establishing the company as a dominant force in the retail industry.

Implementing the “Everyday Low Costs” (EDLC) Policy through Direct Procurement

To support its EDLP strategy, Walmart follows an “Everyday Low Costs” (EDLC) policy in its supply chain management. One of the key elements of the EDLC policy is the direct procurement of items from suppliers, eliminating intermediaries in the process. By procuring directly from manufacturers, Walmart can negotiate and understand their cost structure, enabling them to make informed purchasing decisions and obtain the best prices for their products.

Walmart’s emphasis on direct procurement is further bolstered by the use of technology and information systems. The company has implemented a central database, store-level point-of-sale systems, and a satellite network, along with barcodes and RFID technology as previously mentioned. These technologies allow Walmart to gather and analyze real-time store-level information, including sales data and external factors like weather forecasts, to enhance the accuracy of purchasing predictions. This integration of information technology helps Walmart optimize its procurement process and maintain low costs throughout the supply chain.

Utilizing Information Systems for Better Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is critical for Walmart to sustain its competitive advantage through the EDLP strategy. The company relies on information systems and information technology (IT) capabilities to control inventory levels efficiently. By capturing customers’ demand information, Walmart can identify popular products and stock them adequately, leading to an overall reduction in inventory.

One notable example of Walmart’s successful utilization of information systems is its collaboration with Procter & Gamble (P&G) through the Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR) program. This program links all computers of P&G to Walmart’s stores and warehouses, allowing for efficient replenishment orders based on real-time inventory needs. Additionally, Walmart’s Retail Link , developed in the early 1990s, serves as another vital IT application for storing data, sharing it with vendors, and aiding in shipment routing assignments.

inventory management case study with solution

Challenges and Opportunities

Supplier cooperation and collaboration.

Walmart’s supply chain success can be attributed to its strong relationships with suppliers, but achieving and maintaining supplier cooperation and collaboration is not without challenges. Let’s explore the challenges and opportunities in this area:

Challenges in Obtaining Suppliers’ Cooperation

  • Supplier Resistance to Direct Procurement: Walmart follows an “Everyday Low Costs” (EDLC) policy by directly procuring items from suppliers, eliminating intermediaries. However, some suppliers may be reluctant to cooperate with this approach as it can disrupt existing distribution channels and potentially reduce their bargaining power.
  • Complex Supplier Networks: With thousands of suppliers across various product categories, managing diverse supplier networks can be challenging. Each supplier may have different production and delivery schedules, making coordination difficult.
  • Balancing Profit Margins: As Walmart emphasizes low prices, maintaining a balance between cost savings and ensuring suppliers’ profitability can be a delicate task. Suppliers may resist pressure to reduce prices further to maintain their margins.

Opportunities for Enhanced Supplier Cooperation and Collaboration

  • Establishing Transparent Communication Channels: Walmart can create transparent and open communication channels with its suppliers to foster better cooperation. Clear communication regarding demand forecasts, inventory levels, and potential disruptions can help suppliers plan their production and deliveries more efficiently.
  • Supplier Incentive Programs: Introducing incentive programs that reward suppliers for meeting certain performance metrics, such as on-time delivery or cost reduction, can motivate suppliers to actively collaborate and improve their supply chain capabilities.
  • Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR): Walmart can leverage technology, such as CPFR, to share real-time sales data and demand forecasts with its suppliers. This collaborative approach allows suppliers to align their production and inventory management with actual market demand, reducing the bullwhip effect and optimizing the supply chain.
  • Sharing Inventory Visibility: Providing suppliers with access to inventory data, including stock levels and sales information, can help them plan production and deliveries more effectively. This visibility can prevent stockouts and overstocking issues.
  • Long-term Partnerships: Building long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers can create a sense of mutual commitment and trust. By assuring consistent business over an extended period, Walmart can foster stronger relationships and supplier loyalty.

[Read More: 3 Types of Supplier Segmentation Matrix You Can Use to Classify Suppliers ]

Importance of Collaboration to Enhance Supply Chain Efficiency

  • Reducing Lead Times: Effective collaboration with suppliers can help shorten lead times by streamlining production and transportation processes. Faster lead times enables Walmart to respond quickly to changes in demand, reducing the risk of stockouts.
  • Efficient Inventory Management: Collaborative efforts with suppliers enable better inventory planning and management. Suppliers can adjust production based on actual demand, reducing excess inventory and associated costs.
  • Supply Chain Flexibility: Collaboration fosters agility and adaptability in the supply chain. When Walmart and its suppliers work together closely, they can quickly adjust to market changes, supply disruptions, or new opportunities.
  • Cost Reduction: Improved supplier collaboration can lead to cost-saving opportunities. By eliminating unnecessary intermediaries and optimizing production and transportation, overall supply chain costs can be minimized.

inventory management case study with solution

The Incentives Alignment Issue

In any supply chain, maintaining a balance of profit margins among different parties is essential for efficient collaboration and sustained success. However, achieving incentives alignment can be challenging, and this issue is particularly relevant in the case of Walmart supply chain. Addressing misalignment of interests between Walmart and its suppliers is crucial for optimizing the overall performance of the supply chain and ensuring long-term success. The following points highlight the incentives alignment issue faced by Walmart:

1. Balancing Profit Margins Among Different Supply Chain Parties:

Walmart’s success is attributed to its ability to offer high-quality products and services at the lowest affordable prices. To achieve this, Walmart employs various cost-cutting strategies, such as direct procurement from suppliers and streamlined distribution practices. While these strategies help Walmart maintain competitive prices, they can create challenges for suppliers who may face pressure to lower their own profit margins to meet Walmart’s demands. This misalignment of profit margins can lead to strained relationships and potentially impact the overall efficiency of the supply chain.

2. Misalignment of Interests Between Walmart and Suppliers:

Walmart’s size and market dominance can lead to power imbalances in supplier relationships. Suppliers may feel compelled to comply with Walmart’s demands to maintain access to its large customer base. However, this can lead to situations where suppliers may not have enough leverage to negotiate favorable terms, impacting their own profitability. As a result, suppliers may be less inclined to invest in innovations or improvements that would benefit the supply chain as a whole.

3. Conflict Between Inventory Growth and Sales Growth:

Walmart faced inventory growth issues in the past, with the inventory growth rate outpacing the sales growth rate. This can be indicative of conflicting incentives between Walmart and its suppliers. Suppliers may prioritize producing and delivering more inventory to ensure they meet Walmart’s demands, even if the sales growth does not keep up with the increased inventory. This misalignment can lead to excess inventory, increased carrying costs, and potential stockouts.

4. The Need for a New Triple-A Supply Chain:

Addressing the incentives alignment issue requires a fundamental shift in the supply chain strategy. Lee (2004) proposed the concept of a new Triple-A supply chain for Walmart and other companies in the 21st century. The Triple-A supply chain emphasizes agility, adaptability, and alignment to create a sustainable competitive advantage. Achieving alignment among all participating parties is crucial to optimize supply chain performance and ensure that risks and rewards are distributed fairly.

The Triple-A Supply Chain Approach

In today’s competitive business landscape, companies like Walmart recognize that a successful supply chain is not just about having a fast and cost-effective system. To maintain a sustainable competitive advantage and address the challenges of the global economy, it is essential to redesign supply chains that incorporate agility, adaptability, and alignment. This section explores the concept of the Triple-A Supply Chain Approach, which emphasizes these three key qualities that an ideal supply chain should possess: agility, adaptability, and alignment of interests among all participating parties.

The Three Qualities of an Ideal Supply Chain

Agility for quick and cost-effective responses:.

Agility refers to a supply chain’s ability to respond quickly and cost-effectively to sudden changes in demand, supply, and external disruptions. In the fast-paced business environment, companies must be able to adapt swiftly to fluctuations in customer preferences, market conditions, and unforeseen events. For Walmart, agility has been a critical factor in maintaining its leadership position in the retail industry. The company’s investments in technology and supply chain optimization strategies have allowed them to optimize inventory levels and respond rapidly to changing customer demands, ensuring the availability of products while minimizing inventory costs.

Adaptability to Handle Changes in Demand and Supply:

Supply chains should be adaptable and flexible enough to handle variations in demand and supply patterns. Demand forecasts can be uncertain, and unexpected supply chain disruptions may occur, making adaptability a vital quality. Walmart’s focus on omnichannel and various fulfillment options, such as in-store pickup and ship from store, demonstrates their commitment to adaptability. By utilizing multiple channels, Walmart can cater to diverse customer preferences, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of products to meet demand.

Alignment of Interests among All Participating Parties:

One of the significant challenges in supply chain management is ensuring alignment of interests among all parties involved, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Walmart’s scale and dominance in the retail market have allowed them to establish strong relationships with vendors, enabling strategic partnerships with vendors who can meet their high-volume demands. Additionally, Walmart’s adoption of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) allows suppliers to manage their own inventory stored in Walmart’s warehouses. This collaboration aligns the incentives of suppliers and Walmart, streamlining inventory management and ensuring timely replenishment.

inventory management case study with solution

In conclusion, Walmart’s integrated supply chain has been a crucial factor in the company’s global dominance and sustained competitive advantage. By strategically investing in technology and optimizing its supply chain, Walmart has managed to maintain its position as the world’s largest retailer with over $572 billion in revenue in 2022.

Walmart’s success serves as a compelling example of the importance of a well-integrated supply chain in achieving and sustaining competitive advantage in the global market. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of the 21st-century economy, building and enhancing supply chain capabilities will remain a critical aspect of ensuring sustainable growth and profitability. By prioritizing agility, adaptability, and alignment, companies can follow in Walmart’s footsteps and position themselves for continued success in the dynamic and ever-evolving global marketplace.

References:

  • Lee H.L. (2004): The triple A supply chain. “Harvard Business Review”, Vol. 82, No. 10, pp. 102-112. 
  • Nguyen T.T.H. (2017): Wal-Mart’s successfully integrated supply chain and the necessity of establishing the Triple-A supply chain in the 21st century. “Journal of Economics and Management”, Vol. 29(3), pp. 102-117

About the Author –  Dr Muddassir Ahmed

Dr MuddassirAhmed  is the Founder & CEO of SCMDOJO. He is a  global speaker ,  vlogger  and  supply chain industry expert  with 17 years of experience in the Manufacturing Industry in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia in various Supply Chain leadership roles.   Dr. Muddassir   has received a PhD in Management Science from Lancaster University Management School. Muddassir is a Six Sigma black belt and founded the leading supply chain platform SCMDOJO to enable supply chain professionals and teams to thrive by providing best-in-class knowledge content, tools and access to experts.

You can follow him on  LinkedIn ,  Facebook ,  Twitter  or  Instagram .

  • Walmart Walmart Supply Chain

inventory management case study with solution

Download Indirect Procurement Assessment

An Indirect Procurement Best Practices Assessment is a valuable process for organisations to evaluate and optimise their indirect procurement functions.

inventory management case study with solution

Poor Inventory Management Examples Made by Huge Brands

As many retailers can attest, poor inventory management can seriously harm a company and its brand/brands, leading to short-term financial damage, a fall in stock prices, bankruptcy, or company closure.

From small businesses to companies with large inventories, there's always a concern with the everyday and long-term challenges of inventory management. Some companies may look at updating legacy management systems, while others look for real-time ways to future-proof the business. High-profile, well-known, and loved brands are not exempt from inventory control problems, and many retailers can learn valuable lessons from their mistakes.

How Poor Inventory Management Can Kill a Brand

When supply chain and inventory problems arise, retailers face some consequences. Here are some poor inventory management examples:

1)  Using outdated methods to track items , such as:

  • Manual inventory tracking , which becomes time-consuming and error-prone as your company grows. You’ll always be one step behind your actual inventory levels, which will cause ordering issues.
  • Excel/electronic spreadsheets , which are prone to severe errors. In a study of errors in 25 sample spreadsheets, the  Tuck Business School at Dartmouth College   found that 15 workbooks contained 117 errors. While 40% of those errors had little impact on the businesses studied, seven errors caused massive losses of $4 million to $110 million, according to the researchers’ estimates.

2)     Too large of an inventory . Reports show that most businesses have 20-40% of their working capital tied up in inventory. If you have a greater amount of product than what demand calls for, you won't be able to fulfill orders optimally. Large stock levels don’t just lead to more management headaches; they can also cut into profits and cause dead stock.

3)     Inadequate reports and demand forecasting . When companies don’t use or have access to accurate information such as sales trends, best-selling products, customer behavior, and the like – they fall into the trap of ordering too much inventory. When this happens, companies experience the problems of an excessive amount of finished goods, ordering too few finished products, experiencing shortages, and losing customers. With accurate real-time reporting accessible 24/7, anytime, from anywhere, companies can forecast their customers’ future behavior and order accordingly to meet customer demand without exceeding their budget.

Four Examples of Poor Inventory Management

Let’s take a look at four high-profile brands and how a crisis of inventory created some real problems that companies could have prevented had they managed their inventory properly:

Nike’s Excess Inventory Problem

As one of the world's most recognized athletic brands, Nike has many goods to manage. And as a result, it has had difficulty keeping inventory under control. In the early 2000s, the company adopted an updated  inventory management software  after losing around $100 million in sales due to issues with tracking goods. The software promised to help Nike predict items that would sell best and prepare the company to meet demands, but bugs and data errors resulted in incorrect demand forecasts and led to millions more lost.

Nike’s case illustrated just how crucial it is to correctly manage stock levels and your inventory management system. When choosing an inventory management solution, it’s vital to ensure the quality of software your vendor provides is accurate, flexible, and customized for your particular business. It needs to be able to grow and change as the business and the customer base change.

Nike continues to have issues with inventory. 2016 was challenging for the retailer, as Nike's gross margin declined due to a higher percentage of discounted sales because of inventory management problems. The retailer continues to take steps to control its inventory management practices through manufacturing overhauls better and allowing new technology to bring manufacturing to the digital age. Ultimately Nike will remain a global leader as it keeps exploring new markets, innovating new products, and generating its supply channels.

Best Buy’s Christmas Inventory Nightmare

In December 2011—smack dab in the middle of the holiday season— Best Buy issued a statement : “Due to the overwhelming demand of hot product offerings on BestBuy.com during the November and December period, we have encountered a situation that has affected redemption of some of our customers’ online orders. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused, and we have notified the affected customers.”

Customers were infuriated by Best Buy’s decision to cancel orders instead of delaying shipment, which was most likely because the company ran out of stock. Reportedly Best Buy sold many of the withdrawn items on Black Friday. The retailer essentially cast a wide net, collecting as many orders as possible, likely knowing it would be unable to fulfill them all.

As Best Buy proved, buying items online as an alternative to in-store still carries a risk. Consumers don't know for a fact that they will get their product. While receipts are issued and shipping estimates are given, some variables still allow consumers to be 100% certain their purchase will be complete every time. It’s not hard to imagine that Best Buy probably lost many of its customers to Amazon after that 2011 debacle.

Target’s Disastrous Failed Expansion into Canada

Target is a well-loved brand in the US, so it seemed only natural that it would be just as well-received with expansion up north into Canada. Target executives had a decision to make. They needed a way to track their stock levels and chose to work with an entirely new and untested system. Target Canada would eventually learn what happens when inexperienced employees working under a tight timeline are expected to launch a retailer using technology that nobody—not even at the US headquarters—understood.

In 2013, the company had  trouble moving products  from its large distribution centers onto store shelves, leaving Target outlets poorly stocked. It didn’t take long for Target to figure out the underlying cause of the breakdown: The data contained within the company’s supply chain software, which governs the movement of inventory, was riddled with flaws. The checkout system was glitchy and didn’t process transactions properly. Worse, the technology managing inventory and sales were new to the organization; no one seemed to fully understand how it worked.

Why Too Much Inventory is Bad

Besides technology issues, problems of ordering and inventory were running amok. Target stalled items with long lead times coming from overseas—products weren’t fitting into shipping containers as expected, or tariff codes were missing or incomplete. Finished goods that made it to a distribution center couldn’t fulfill orders for shipping to a store. Other items weren’t able to fit correctly onto store shelves. What appeared to be isolated fires quickly became a raging inferno threatening to destroy the company’s supply chain.

Target’s distribution centers were bursting with products and dead stock. Target Canada had ordered way more stock than it could sell. The company had purchased a sophisticated forecasting and replenishment system, but it wasn’t beneficial at the outset, requiring years of historical data to provide meaningful sales forecasts. When the buying team was preparing for store openings, it relied on wildly optimistic projections developed at US headquarters.

Roughly two years after they launched, Target Canada filed for creditor protection, marking the end of its first international foray and one of the most confounding sagas in Canadian corporate history. The debacle cost the parent company billions of dollars, sullied its reputation, and put roughly 17,600 people out of work.

Supply Chain Disruption Closed 900 KFC Branches in the UK

In February 2018, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was forced to  close many of its 900 UK branches due to supply chain disruption . In a press release, the fast-food giant stated, “We've brought a new delivery partner onboard, but they've had a couple of teething problems - getting a fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex!”

By changing their delivery partner, approximately 750 KFC outlets across the UK faced delays in receiving their daily delivery of fresh chicken, meaning their restaurants could not supply customers and ultimately had to close. At the time, many thought the giant could lose up to £ 1 million daily.

Could KFC have done more to ensure their supplier was suitable for the job? The thought is that multiple supplier contracts could have spread KFC could have avoided the weight of the mammoth delivery task and a crisis like this. Another issue was that their supplier only had one distribution spot instead of multiple, which would have been able to service the outlets much more manageable.

What Can Businesses Learn From Inventory Management Problems?

It takes more than having a large inventory of products to keep a retail business running. All that inventory must be stored, moved, and in the right place at the right time. Warehouses need to be efficient, and their tools and workhorse vehicles are kept up to date. Every part of the supply chain needs to coordinate, from obtaining raw materials to distributing finished goods.

The same can be said about the technology to track and manage the inventory as it moves locations. Companies need to know accurate numbers when it comes to inventory. Their livelihood, franchisees, investors, and employees depend on it! When you don’t see what you have or how/when it moves about, there’s no actual knowledge about the most critical aspect of your business – your inventory.

Retailers of all sizes are looking for easy-to-use, mobile, affordable, secure, and rapidly deployable  asset tracking systems . They need a reliable method to track the thousands of inventory items that move through their location(s)/warehouses daily. Asset Panda is the answer. We leverage the cloud and free mobile apps to help retailers get the information they need about their inventory. Our retail and small business clients know where their inventory is, who has what, and its condition.

Asset Panda's Inventory Management System

Asset Panda is simple to use with a very intuitive platform. Our system records the entire lifecycle of an asset. Other capabilities include custom reports, depreciation calculation, mobile enterprise service desk, and more. Leading retailers recognize that better inventory tracking processes will lower business costs by reducing loss, property taxes, and the amount of insurance they must carry. All the home offices must run reports to get detailed, real-time data from the field.

Try our inventory management software  free for 14 days  so you can see what’s truly possible when you manage your inventory the right way! (No credit card required).

Related News & Press

Ep 4. actions 101.

Watch Asset Panda in our 4th product updates webinar to watch us d...

The Importance of IT Inventory Audits

An effective IT asset management plan should include routine IT in...

IT Asset Management Best Practices

Let’s take a look at what IT asset management is, how it benefit...

Learn more from an Asset Panda expert

Get a FREE consultation with an asset tracking expert to find out how you can transform your asset tracking

caseism

Scientific Glass, Inc.: Inventory Management Case Solution & Answer

Home » Case Study Analysis Solutions » Scientific Glass, Inc.: Inventory Management

Scientific Glass, Inc.: Inventory Management Case Solution 

Introduction and background.

Scientific Glass Incorporation (SG) was founded in 1992, which is a private limited company with specialty in providing glassware for research-facilities and laboratories. It is the fastest growing company-which has been able to generate the revenue-of $ 2 billion globally through its  3,000 standardized products(Schmidt, 2010). The company also offers customized glassblowing services to those customer who need specialized solutions. The following chart shows the percentage of sales of SG incorporation from all over the world.

inventory management case study with solution

The company’s growth, over the past few years, has been attributed to the fact that it is a privately held company that serves-research facilities and laboratories with specialized glassware. In 2010, the company added a dedicated domestic sales force, which will impact its inventory’s need. The company also announced that it has planned to increase its customer responsiveness and reduce its inventory fill rate, which will oblige the company to increase-its warehouse capacity and outsource fulfillment services.

Despite its strong growth, the company’s inventory management is inconsistent. It has only paid attention to its inventory management when needed. Consequently, it didn’t have money to fund its expansion. Moreover, the company’s inventory levels were highly volatile, and its customers were losing money. As a result, the company has been facing a tough competitive environment. This is why Ava Beane should consider taking action.

In 2010, the company faced an inventory problem. This problem was caused by the lack of attention given to the inventory management. It had to pay more attention to growing sales to be able to expand its operations, but the management was more concerned about the inventory management problems and their profits. They had hired Ava Beane to fix these problems. The inventory management problems made the company’s stock price go up, but it suffered as serious loss not in terms of financials but also in terms of customers’ number which it previously had.

In 2010, the company’s inventory level had increased at an alarming rate. The company had been struggling to increase sales, and its inventory was rising. Its current cash flow and debt levels were also extremely high. The firm had to increase its sales to stay afloat. Its management was also focusing on maximizing profit margins, which was one of the key reasons why it started having difficulties with its inventory.

Problems Facing by SG

There are two main problems which the Scientific Glass Incorporation is facing:

Increasing Inventory Balances

The main problem which Scientific Glass Incorporation is facing is the increasing inventory balance and it wants to reduce it without affecting its current 99% of services. In order to do it successfully, the company has hireda Manager of Inventory Planning: Ava Beane who is given the responsibility of coming up with plans and strategies to reduce the level of inventory balances.

The Scientific Glass stems from the fact that senior management focuses on increasing the sales but in the process; the team has turned completely oblivious towards inventory management, which has resulted in a high debt-to-capital ratio. This indicates that the company might not be able to use debt financing to have further expansion. The company is also facing an intense competition in the market, which is expected to stifle the growth in the next few years.

The company’s inventory levels hada significant increase in the first half of 2010 due to the lack of attention from its senior management team. The problems mainly stemmed from an increased debt-to-capital ratio. Without debt financing, Scientific Glass will not be able to continue its expansion plan. In addition to this, the competitive environment is exerting immense pressure on the company’s sales and profits. As a result, Ava Beane, the CEO of the company, should propose actions to Melissa Hayes and Eric Gregory to address these issues.

Extra Capital Needed

SG Company has also planned for expansion in 2010, and has foretasted to grow its sales from 20%, for which an additional $ 10 million is required.Scientific Glass is faced with many problems with its inventory, as it has a high inventory level. The company’s management is not paying enough attention to the inventory management and has instead focused extremely on just sales and profit, which has resulted in the company having an excessive level of inventory. As a result, the company’s debt-to-capital ratio has become over 40 percent and it might not be able to use debt financing in order to have further expansion. These issues are affecting the company’s ability to compete in a very competitive environment-and has posed severe risks to the company in regards of facing problem sin getting the extra capital to be used in its expansion.

External Funding

Scientific Glass Incorporation has maintained its targeted capital structure which is approximately 40% debt and 60% Equity. The operation manager of the company has informed that an additional $ 10 million is required to finance the investment to change the damaged equipment and the operation of 2010. It is also required for providing sufficient amount to meet the company’s future investment requirements.

Scientific Glass Incorporation is a private limited company and because it maintains its debt to equity ratio which is 40%, it must have used the residual payout policy to finance the capital expenditure. Companies use the residual payout policy to payout the dividend to their stakeholders and to maintain their capital expenditure. Net income is also distributed according to the debt to equity ratio.

Scientific Glass Incorporation’s net income was $ 6.5 million in 2009, and using the residual payout policy to calculate; the additional capital required is 60% of the net income, which is $ 3.82 million transferred to equity and the rest 40%, i.e. $ 2.68 million, will be used to payout the long term debts. After the distribution of net income, the equity part from the net income: $ 3.82 million, is deducted from the additional required investment to meet the overall forecasted requirements of 2010, which is $ 10 million, resulting in the actual capital expenditure amount or working capital needed for the operations of 2010, i.e. $ 6.18 million. (See Appendix 1)

SG Problems Associated With the Number of Warehouses and Inventory Levels

The warehouse function is one of the most important supporting functions in an institution or company. It plans and organizes storage and maintenance of materials to provide products to customers and other key departments. Dealing with inventory requires a high degree of efficiency and accuracy. However, the amount of space required for storage and handling varies significantly between companies and industries. It is also crucial to manage stock levels to avoid loss incurrences. Following are some of the problems associated with the number of warehouses and their inventory levels:

Increasing the number of warehouses and staff is not a reliable solution to the problem of rising inventory levels. It is not feasible for the company to increase its number of warehouses and staff without improving the productivity of each warehouse. The reason why it is not effective is that warehouses must be staffed properly. An inefficient inventory management system will not result in lower inventory levels. Instead, it will cause more losses.

In order to solve these challenges, there are a variety of inventory management systems. A typical warehouse management system collects inventory data using a handheld or fixed device and sends it to a software solution. The software system then catalogues inventory and tracks it. This process is effective for managing inventory and reducing costs. APS Fulfillment, Inc. has an inventory management system that helps it to do its job effectively.

In addition to increasing costs, a warehouse can become overcrowded and suffer from fluctuations in demand. In larger warehouses, multiple warehouses may have several hundred employees, and each warehouse can be overcrowded. The extra workers in a large company can also make the environment unhealthy for both employees and customers. This is where a small business must keep its inventory. If it is unable to control the levels of inventory, it will suffer from high-cost situations.

Available Alternatives and Evaluations

There are three alternatives available for SG, which are:

  • One consolidated Warehouse.
  • Outsourcing Warehouses.
  • Use of Optimal Service Level.

Alternate 1 – One Consolidated Warehouses

The Scientific Glass Incorporation is considering new plans from which one consolidated warehouse is the top priority they are looking forward to shut down some or all the warehouses other than North American warehousing which is functioning in Walt-ham and the customers’ orders from the North America would be fulfilled from the few or one located warehouse in Walt-ham. But the total transportation cost combined from all the three locations which are Central Region, West Region, and East Region is $ 887,814 for both the products i.e. “Griffin 500ml Beaker” and “Erlenmeyer 500ml Flask” is huge and the level of inventory problem may also arrive in adopting this alternate. (See Appendix 2)

Advantages of One Consolidated Warehouse

Related case solutions:.

Default Thumbnail

LOOK FOR A FREE CASE STUDY SOLUTION

Don't have an account? Sign up now

Already have an account login, get 10% off on your next order.

Subscribe now to get your discount coupon *Only correct email will be accepted

(Approximately ~ 0.0 Page)

Total Price

Thank you for your email subscription. Check your email to get Coupon Code.

Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Analysis and Case Solution

Posted by Peter Williams on Aug-09-2018

Introduction of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Solution

The Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case study is a Harvard Business Review case study, which presents a simulated practical experience to the reader allowing them to learn about real life problems in the business world. The Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case consisted of a central issue to the organization, which had to be identified, analysed and creative solutions had to be drawn to tackle the issue. This paper presents the solved Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case analysis and case solution. The method through which the analysis is done is mentioned, followed by the relevant tools used in finding the solution.

The case solution first identifies the central issue to the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case study, and the relevant stakeholders affected by this issue. This is known as the problem identification stage. After this, the relevant tools and models are used, which help in the case study analysis and case study solution. The tools used in identifying the solution consist of the SWOT Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, VRIO analysis, Value Chain Analysis, BCG Matrix analysis, Ansoff Matrix analysis, and the Marketing Mix analysis. The solution consists of recommended strategies to overcome this central issue. It is a good idea to also propose alternative case study solutions, because if the main solution is not found feasible, then the alternative solutions could be implemented. Lastly, a good case study solution also includes an implementation plan for the recommendation strategies. This shows how through a step-by-step procedure as to how the central issue can be resolved.

Problem Identification of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Solution

Harvard Business Review cases involve a central problem that is being faced by the organization and these problems affect a number of stakeholders. In the problem identification stage, the problem faced by Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management is identified through reading of the case. This could be mentioned at the start of the reading, the middle or the end. At times in a case analysis, the problem may be clearly evident in the reading of the HBR case. At other times, finding the issue is the job of the person analysing the case. It is also important to understand what stakeholders are affected by the problem and how. The goals of the stakeholders and are the organization are also identified to ensure that the case study analysis are consistent with these.

Analysis of the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management HBR Case Study

The objective of the case should be focused on. This is doing the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Solution. This analysis can be proceeded in a step-by-step procedure to ensure that effective solutions are found.

  • In the first step, a growth path of the company can be formulated that lays down its vision, mission and strategic aims. These can usually be developed using the company history is provided in the case. Company history is helpful in a Business Case study as it helps one understand what the scope of the solutions will be for the case study.
  • The next step is of understanding the company; its people, their priorities and the overall culture. This can be done by using company history. It can also be done by looking at anecdotal instances of managers or employees that are usually included in an HBR case study description to give the reader a real feel of the situation.
  • Lastly, a timeline of the issues and events in the case needs to be made. Arranging events in a timeline allows one to predict the next few events that are likely to take place. It also helps one in developing the case study solutions. The timeline also helps in understanding the continuous challenges that are being faced by the organisation.

SWOT analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

An important tool that helps in addressing the central issue of the case and coming up with Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management HBR case solution is the SWOT analysis.

  • The SWOT analysis is a strategic management tool that lists down in the form of a matrix, an organisation's internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. It helps in the strategic analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management.
  • Once this listing has been done, a clearer picture can be developed in regards to how strategies will be formed to address the main problem. For example, strengths will be used as an advantage in solving the issue.

Therefore, the SWOT analysis is a helpful tool in coming up with the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Study answers. One does not need to remain restricted to using the traditional SWOT analysis, but the advanced TOWS matrix or weighted average SWOT analysis can also be used.

Porter Five Forces Analysis for Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

Another helpful tool in finding the case solutions is of Porter's Five Forces analysis. This is also a strategic tool that is used to analyse the competitive environment of the industry in which Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management operates in. Analysis of the industry is important as businesses do not work in isolation in real life, but are affected by the business environment of the industry that they operate in. Harvard Business case studies represent real-life situations, and therefore, an analysis of the industry's competitive environment needs to be carried out to come up with more holistic case study solutions. In Porter's Five Forces analysis, the industry is analysed along 5 dimensions.

  • These are the threats that the industry faces due to new entrants.
  • It includes the threat of substitute products.
  • It includes the bargaining power of buyers in the industry.
  • It includes the bargaining power of suppliers in an industry.
  • Lastly, the overall rivalry or competition within the industry is analysed.

This tool helps one understand the relative powers of the major players in the industry and its overall competitive dynamics. Actionable and practical solutions can then be developed by keeping these factors into perspective.

PESTEL Analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

Another helpful tool that should be used in finding the case study solutions is the PESTEL analysis. This also looks at the external business environment of the organisation helps in finding case study Analysis to real-life business issues as in HBR cases.

  • The PESTEL analysis particularly looks at the macro environmental factors that affect the industry. These are the political, environmental, social, technological, environmental and legal (regulatory) factors affecting the industry.
  • Factors within each of these 6 should be listed down, and analysis should be made as to how these affect the organisation under question.
  • These factors are also responsible for the future growth and challenges within the industry. Hence, they should be taken into consideration when coming up with the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case solution.

VRIO Analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

This is an analysis carried out to know about the internal strengths and capabilities of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management. Under the VRIO analysis, the following steps are carried out:

  • The internal resources of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management are listed down.
  • Each of these resources are assessed in terms of the value it brings to the organization.
  • Each resource is assessed in terms of how rare it is. A rare resource is one that is not commonly used by competitors.
  • Each resource is assessed whether it could be imitated by competition easily or not.
  • Lastly, each resource is assessed in terms of whether the organization can use it to an advantage or not.

The analysis done on the 4 dimensions; Value, Rareness, Imitability, and Organization. If a resource is high on all of these 4, then it brings long-term competitive advantage. If a resource is high on Value, Rareness, and Imitability, then it brings an unused competitive advantage. If a resource is high on Value and Rareness, then it only brings temporary competitive advantage. If a resource is only valuable, then it’s a competitive parity. If it’s none, then it can be regarded as a competitive disadvantage.

Value Chain Analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

The Value chain analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management helps in identifying the activities of an organization, and how these add value in terms of cost reduction and differentiation. This tool is used in the case study analysis as follows:

  • The firm’s primary and support activities are listed down.
  • Identifying the importance of these activities in the cost of the product and the differentiation they produce.
  • Lastly, differentiation or cost reduction strategies are to be used for each of these activities to increase the overall value provided by these activities.

Recognizing value creating activities and enhancing the value that they create allow Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management to increase its competitive advantage.

BCG Matrix of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

The BCG Matrix is an important tool in deciding whether an organization should invest or divest in its strategic business units. The matrix involves placing the strategic business units of a business in one of four categories; question marks, stars, dogs and cash cows. The placement in these categories depends on the relative market share of the organization and the market growth of these strategic business units. The steps to be followed in this analysis is as follows:

  • Identify the relative market share of each strategic business unit.
  • Identify the market growth of each strategic business unit.
  • Place these strategic business units in one of four categories. Question Marks are those strategic business units with high market share and low market growth rate. Stars are those strategic business units with high market share and high market growth rate. Cash Cows are those strategic business units with high market share and low market growth rate. Dogs are those strategic business units with low market share and low growth rate.
  • Relevant strategies should be implemented for each strategic business unit depending on its position in the matrix.

The strategies identified from the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management BCG matrix and included in the case pdf. These are either to further develop the product, penetrate the market, develop the market, diversification, investing or divesting.

Ansoff Matrix of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

Ansoff Matrix is an important strategic tool to come up with future strategies for Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management in the case solution. It helps decide whether an organization should pursue future expansion in new markets and products or should it focus on existing markets and products.

  • The organization can penetrate into existing markets with its existing products. This is known as market penetration strategy.
  • The organization can develop new products for the existing market. This is known as product development strategy.
  • The organization can enter new markets with its existing products. This is known as market development strategy.
  • The organization can enter into new markets with new products. This is known as a diversification strategy.

The choice of strategy depends on the analysis of the previous tools used and the level of risk the organization is willing to take.

Marketing Mix of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management needs to bring out certain responses from the market that it targets. To do so, it will need to use the marketing mix, which serves as a tool in helping bring out responses from the market. The 4 elements of the marketing mix are Product, Price, Place and Promotions. The following steps are required to carry out a marketing mix analysis and include this in the case study analysis.

  • Analyse the company’s products and devise strategies to improve the product offering of the company.
  • Analyse the company’s price points and devise strategies that could be based on competition, value or cost.
  • Analyse the company’s promotion mix. This includes the advertisement, public relations, personal selling, sales promotion, and direct marketing. Strategies will be devised which makes use of a few or all of these elements.
  • Analyse the company’s distribution and reach. Strategies can be devised to improve the availability of the company’s products.

Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Blue Ocean Strategy

The strategies devised and included in the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case memo should have a blue ocean strategy. A blue ocean strategy is a strategy that involves firms seeking uncontested market spaces, which makes the competition of the company irrelevant. It involves coming up with new and unique products or ideas through innovation. This gives the organization a competitive advantage over other firms, unlike a red ocean strategy.

Competitors analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

The PESTEL analysis discussed previously looked at the macro environmental factors affecting business, but not the microenvironmental factors. One of the microenvironmental factors are competitors, which are addressed by a competitor analysis. The Competitors analysis of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management looks at the direct and indirect competitors within the industry that it operates in.

  • This involves a detailed analysis of their actions and how these would affect the future strategies of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management.
  • It involves looking at the current market share of the company and its competitors.
  • It should compare the marketing mix elements of competitors, their supply chain, human resources, financial strength etc.
  • It also should look at the potential opportunities and threats that these competitors pose on the company.

Organisation of the Analysis into Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Study Solution

Once various tools have been used to analyse the case, the findings of this analysis need to be incorporated into practical and actionable solutions. These solutions will also be the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case answers. These are usually in the form of strategies that the organisation can adopt. The following step-by-step procedure can be used to organise the Harvard Business case solution and recommendations:

  • The first step of the solution is to come up with a corporate level strategy for the organisation. This part consists of solutions that address issues faced by the organisation on a strategic level. This could include suggestions, changes or recommendations to the company's vision, mission and its strategic objectives. It can include recommendations on how the organisation can work towards achieving these strategic objectives. Furthermore, it needs to be explained how the stated recommendations will help in solving the main issue mentioned in the case and where the company will stand in the future as a result of these.
  • The second step of the solution is to come up with a business level strategy. The HBR case studies may present issues faced by a part of the organisation. For example, the issues may be stated for marketing and the role of a marketing manager needs to be assumed. So, recommendations and suggestions need to address the strategy of the marketing department in this case. Therefore, the strategic objectives of this business unit (Marketing) will be laid down in the solutions and recommendations will be made as to how to achieve these objectives. Similar would be the case for any other business unit or department such as human resources, finance, IT etc. The important thing to note here is that the business level strategy needs to be aligned with the overall corporate strategy of the organisation. For example, if one suggests the organisation to focus on differentiation for competitive advantage as a corporate level strategy, then it can't be recommended for the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Study Solution that the business unit should focus on costs.
  • The third step is not compulsory but depends from case to case. In some HBR case studies, one may be required to analyse an issue at a department. This issue may be analysed for a manager or employee as well. In these cases, recommendations need to be made for these people. The solution may state that objectives that these people need to achieve and how these objectives would be achieved.

The case study analysis and solution, and Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case answers should be written down in the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case memo, clearly identifying which part shows what. The Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case should be in a professional format, presenting points clearly that are well understood by the reader.

Alternate solution to the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management HBR case study

It is important to have more than one solution to the case study. This is the alternate solution that would be implemented if the original proposed solution is found infeasible or impossible due to a change in circumstances. The alternate solution for Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management is presented in the same way as the original solution, where it consists of a corporate level strategy, business level strategy and other recommendations.

Implementation of Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Solution

The case study does not end at just providing recommendations to the issues at hand. One is also required to provide how these recommendations would be implemented. This is shown through a proper implementation framework. A detailed implementation framework helps in distinguishing between an average and an above average case study answer. A good implementation framework shows the proposed plan and how the organisations' resources would be used to achieve the objectives. It also lays down the changes needed to be made as well as the assumptions in the process.

  • A proper implementation framework shows that one has clearly understood the case study and the main issue within it.
  • It shows that one has been clarified with the HBR fundamentals on the topic.
  • It shows that the details provided in the case have been properly analysed.
  • It shows that one has developed an ability to prioritise recommendations and how these could be successfully implemented.
  • The implementation framework also helps by removing out any recommendations that are not practical or actionable as these could not be implemented. Therefore, the implementation framework ensures that the solution to the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Harvard case is complete and properly answered.

Recommendations and Action Plan for Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case analysis

For Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management, based on the SWOT Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, VRIO analysis, Value Chain Analysis, BCG Matrix analysis, Ansoff Matrix analysis, and the Marketing Mix analysis, the recommendations and action plan are as follows:

  • Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management should focus on making use of its strengths identified from the VRIO analysis to make the most of the opportunities identified from the PESTEL.
  • Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management should enhance the value creating activities within its value chain.
  • Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management should invest in its stars and cash cows, while getting rid of the dogs identified from the BCG Matrix analysis.
  • To achieve its overall corporate and business level objectives, it should make use of the marketing mix tools to obtain desired results from its target market.

Baron, E. (2015). How They Teach the Case Method At Harvard Business School. Retrieved from https://poetsandquants.com/2015/09/29/how-they-teach-the-case-method-at-harvard-business-school/

Bartol. K, & Martin, D. (1998). Management, 3rd edition. Boston: Irwin McGrawHill.

Free Management E-Books. (2013a). PESTLE Analysis. Retrieved from http://www.free-management-ebooks.com/dldebk-pdf/fme-pestle-analysis.pdf

Gupta, A. (2013). Environment & PEST analysis: an approach to the external business environment. International Journal of Modern Social Sciences, 2(1), 34-43.

Hambrick, D. C., MacMillan, I. C., & Day, D. L. (1982). Strategic attributes and performance in the BCG matrix—A PIMS-based analysis of industrial product businesses. Academy of Management Journal, 25(3), 510-531.

Hill, C., & Jones, G. (2010). Strategic Management Theory: An Integrated Approach, Ninth Ed. Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning.

Hussain, S., Khattak, J., Rizwan, A., & Latif, M. A. (2013). ANSOFF matrix, environment, and growth-an interactive triangle. Management and Administrative Sciences Review, 2(2), 196-206.

IIBMS. (2015). 7 Effective Steps to Solve Case Study. Retrieved from http://www.iibms.org/c-7-effective-steps-to-solve-case-study/

Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2004). Blue ocean strategy. If you read nothing else on strategy, read thesebest-selling articles., 71.

Kotler, P., & Armstrong, G. (2010). Principles of marketing. Pearson education.

Kulkarni, N. (2018). 8 Tips to Help You Prepare for the Case Method. Retrieved from https://www.hbs.edu/mba/blog/post/8-tips-to-help-you-prepare-for-the-case-method

Lin, C., Tsai, H. L., Wu, Y. J., & Kiang, M. (2012). A fuzzy quantitative VRIO-based framework for evaluating organizational activities. Management Decision, 50(8), 1396-1411.

Nixon, J., & Helms, M. M. (2010). Exploring SWOT analysis – where are we now?: A review of academic research from the last decade. Journal of Strategy and Management, 3(3), 215-251.

Panagiotou, G. (2003). Bringing SWOT into Focus. Business Strategy Review, 14(2), 8-10.

Pickton, D. W., & Wright, S. (1998). What's swot in strategic analysis? Strategic Change, 7(2), 101-109.

Porter, M. E. (2001). The value chain and competitive advantage. Understanding Business Processes, 50-66.

Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior performance (Vol. 2). New York: Free Press.

Porter, M.E. (1979, March). Harvard Business Review: Strategic Planning, How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy. Retrieved July 7, 2016, from https://hbr.org/1979/03/how-competitive-forces-shape-strategy

Rastogi, N., & Trivedi, M. K. (2016). PESTLE Technique–a Tool to Identify External Risks in Construction Projects. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 3(1), 384-388.

Rauch, P. (2007). SWOT analyses and SWOT strategy formulation for forest owner cooperations in Austria. European Journal of Forest Research, 126(3), 413-420.

Warning! This article is only an example and cannot be used for research or reference purposes. If you need help with something similar, please submit your details here .

9410 Students can’t be wrong

PhD Experts

Jarold Bhalroy

I was not able to compose a dissertation proposal because I believed that it required a lot of experience. While I was stating the support team, experienced writer was the prime concern. I want to appreciate this service because it drafted my project according to the instructions.

Hannah Gerrit

I signed up for this service and just had an affordable payment with it. This laid out a well-formed document.

Mason Michael

They handled the paper bit by bit and informed me as well. Thank you support team for your assistance!

Chiara Mario

Asked them to edit my assignment and this service did a great job. The writer almost rewrite the 70% of paper. Thank you so much!

Calculate the Price

(approx ~ 0.0 page), total price $0, next articles.

  • Maggie Wilderotter: The Evolution Of An Executive, Video Supplement Case Analysis
  • AngelList In 2017 Case Analysis
  • Increasing Gender Diversity In The Boardroom: The United Kingdom In 2011 (B) Case Analysis
  • The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro Case Analysis
  • Increasing Gender Diversity In The Boardroom: The United Kingdom In 2011 (A) Case Analysis
  • Evoco AG: Solving Liquidity And Incentive Issues In Private Equity Case Analysis
  • The Panic Of 2008 And Brexit: Regional Integration Versus Nationalism Case Analysis
  • Target Data Breach: Accounting For Contingent Liabilities Case Analysis
  • Tesla, Inc. Case Analysis
  • The Indego Africa Project (B) Case Analysis

Previous Articles

  • Grupo Familia: Monetizing A Digital Marketing Campaign In Colombia Case Analysis
  • Royal Bank Of Canada: Using People Strategy And Analytics To Drive Employee Performance (A) Case Analysis
  • Best Buy: Creating A Winning Customer Experience In Consumer Electronics Case Analysis
  • Disruptive Change At Bossard With SmartFactoryLogistics.com? Case Analysis
  • Updating Dating Case Analysis
  • Bitfury: Blockchain For Government Case Analysis
  • Uncharted Play (C) Case Analysis
  • Uncharted Play (B) Case Analysis
  • The Panic Of 1907 And The High Tide Of Progressivism (B) Case Analysis
  • Japan's Economy: Abenomics From The Front And Rearview Mirrors Case Analysis

Be a great writer or hire a greater one!

Academic writing has no room for errors and mistakes. If you have BIG dreams to score BIG, think out of the box and hire Case48 with BIG enough reputation.

hire us now

Our Guarantees

Zero plagiarism, best quality, qualified writers, absolute privacy, timely delivery.

Interesting Fact

Interesting Fact

Most recent surveys suggest that around 76 % students try professional academic writing services at least once in their lifetime!

Allow Our Skilled Essay Writers to Proficiently Finish Your Paper.

We are here to help. Chat with us on WhatsApp for any queries.

Customer Representative

COMMENTS

  1. Inventory management practices at a big-box retailer: a case study

    This research takes a case study approach and focuses on one big-box retailer. The authors chose to study three levels (head office, warehouses, and retail stores) to gain a deeper understanding of the functions and processes of each level, and to understand the working relationships between them. Through the collection of primary data in a ...

  2. PDF Inventory Management: A case study at Volvo Construction Equipment

    The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) defines inventory management as the part of business management associated with planning and controlling of materials in the form of inventory (Toomey, 2000). Management of inventory is an essential part of supply chain management (SCM).

  3. Case Study: Inventory Management Practices at Walmart

    Case Study: Wal-Mart's Distribution and Logistics System. Case Study: A Phenomenon Called Steve Jobs. The implementation of inventory management at Walmart improved operations at the store. Customers got quality service and efficiently. This was achieved through the supply chain visibility and more accurate ordering decisions.

  4. Problems & Solutions in Inventory Management

    "This book is one of the most comprehensive books in inventory management. The authors provide some case studies, problems and solutions in each chapter. … This book is a must-read for people who want to learn about and master inventory management and its models, techniques and applications in real life." (Dharma Lesmono, Mathematical ...

  5. Case Study on Inventory Management Improvement

    One solution for an assembling company is to utilize inventory management strategies to reduce stock levels and incorporate an agent system for automating inventory management procedures (Plinere ...

  6. Inventory Management Solutions

    Inventory solutions we deliver enable robust automation of inventory workflows, offer 100% visibility of inventory levels, drive reduction in inventory purchasing and carrying costs, and help prevent the risks of stock-outs and overstocking. Explore our featured projects and learn how successful businesses employ custom inventory software by ...

  7. A Study of Inventory Management System Case Study

    Therefore, the task of inventory management is to find the quantity of inventories that will fulfil the demand, avoiding overstocks. This paper presents a case study for the steel manufacturing ...

  8. Full article: The impact of inventory management practice on firms

    2.4.2. Inventory management practices and organizational competitiveness. Inventory management is very crucial to any organization that is improving on its performance and attaining high levels of customer satisfaction. According to Nzuza (Citation 2015), the material held by an organization makes up for most of the organization assets. Most ...

  9. Optimizing Inventory Management (A Real-Life Case Study): A ...

    Optimizing Inventory Management (A Real-Life Case Study): A Data-Driven Approach Objectives and Relevance. The primary focus of the project is on deriving insights into inventory trends and ...

  10. Simulation of inventory management systems in retail stores: A case study

    This study proposes a simulation of the inventory system in a supermarket. The simulation model is developed, tested and analyzed using the popular Arena software. The performance measures employed for investigation is the inventory level, and it is directly related to total cost, reorder point and service level.

  11. Inventory Management: 20 Challenges, 20 Solutions

    20 Inventory Management Challenges and Solutions for 2022 and Beyond. Abby Jenkins | Product Marketing Manager. February 3, 2022. The lifeblood of your business is getting your products to your customers on time. And staying on top of your inventory and managing it efficiently helps you meet demand and generate sales.

  12. PDF Making the case for inventory optimization

    form, and function can lead to improved inventory balances. PLM solutions, such as Deloitte's DesignSource™, can be instrumental in identifying materials with common characteristics and facilitating SKU rationalization across the enterprise. Fewer SKUs lead to fewer inventory stocking requirements. CASE STUDY 1: Inventory reduction through ...

  13. Using Data Analytics for Effective Inventory Management: A Real-Life

    Effective inventory management is crucial for companies striving to stay competitive. Executives and decision-makers in large enterprises are constantly seeking innovative solutions to optimize their inventory levels, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. ... Case Study: Aliaxis Corporation.

  14. Case Study on Inventory Management Improvement

    Case Study on Inventory Management Improvement. - Inventory management is a challenging problem area in supply chain management. Companies need to have inventories in warehouses in order to fulfil customer demand, meanwhile these inventories have holding costs and this is frozen fund that can be lost. Therefore, the task of inventory ...

  15. Walmart Supply Chain: How to Build an Integrated Supply Chain

    In this context, Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has demonstrated a highly successful and integrated Walmart supply chain, propelling its growth and dominance in the retail industry. This case study aims to delve into the significance of supply chain capability for enhancing a company's competitiveness and how it serves as a ...

  16. Poor Inventory Management Case Studies

    Here are some poor inventory management examples: 1) Using outdated methods to track items, such as: Manual inventory tracking, which becomes time-consuming and error-prone as your company grows. You'll always be one step behind your actual inventory levels, which will cause ordering issues. Excel/electronic spreadsheets, which are prone to ...

  17. Scientific Glass, Inc.: Inventory Management Case Study Solution for

    Scientific Glass Incorporation's net income was $ 6.5 million in 2009, and using the residual payout policy to calculate; the additional capital required is 60% of the net income, which is $ 3.82 million transferred to equity and the rest 40%, i.e. $ 2.68 million, will be used to payout the long term debts.

  18. SCM Case Studies With Examples & Solutions

    They cover different aspects of supply chain management and feature a broad range of companies and situations. SCM case study examples would include an SCM selection project for a manufacturer, or an SCM implementation for a distributor or logistics provider. SCM case studies also feature TEC's own case studies, showing how we've helped ...

  19. Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

    Inventory Management CASE SOLUTION. The Harvard business review has published the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case Study. Like all HBR case studies, the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management Case is designed and drafted in a manner to allow the reader to experience a real ...

  20. PDF Inventory Management: Case Study in a Retail Enterprise in the Far

    For this reason, this work emphasizes the importance of inventory management, through a case study carried out in the retail company in Extreme South of Santa Catarina. The company finds it difficult to efficiently manage its inventories, especially in the areas of storage and purchasing. The article

  21. PDF A Case Study on Inventory Management of Unilever Ltd. and Its Impact on

    A Case Study on "Inventory Management" of Unilever Ltd. and its Impact on Profitability and found the thesis to be the original work of the student written according to the prescribed format. We recommend the thesis to be accepted as partial fulfillment for Master's Degree in Business Studies (M.B .S.)

  22. Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management

    The case solution first identifies the central issue to the Agarwal Automobiles Fuel Station Forecasting and Inventory Management case study, and the relevant stakeholders affected by this issue. This is known as the problem identification stage.