ABSTRACT
Global retailers and consumer packaged goods companies manage millions of products in their stores and supply chains. Managing inventory at this scale requires smart and prudent thinking. Target Retail in the US, for example, has experimented with faster, more agile, and more frequent deliveries to reduce inventory at stores. 1 With intense competition from the likes of Amazon and Walmart, retailers are increasingly looking to cut costs related to inventory while improving customer service. How can supply chain managers manage inventory better? What are the key managerial levers that influence inventory decisions? Can inventories and customer service be managed together?
