Understanding Inventory: Optimisation Isn't Just About Minimising

The Misconception

The premise that reducing inventory to its minimum will yield maximum benefits is overly simplistic. Less inventory does mean less holding cost, but that’s only a fragment of the whole picture.

The Multi-Dimensional Reality

Inventory optimisation is a balancing act among three pivotal variables:

• Goods Availability: Your inventory must be sufficient to meet customer demand.
• Inventory Levels: Holding too much inventory results in high costs and obsolescence risks.
• Logistic Costs: Procurement, shipping, and handling costs are also part of the equation.

The Inescapable Truth

No matter how refined your strategy is, compromises will have to be made. You will face some level of out-of-stock scenarios, inventory overstock, or additional logistic costs. It's an inevitable part of the game.

The Power of Redistribution

One effective strategy to mitigate these challenges is store-to-store redistribution within the same store chain network. If one location is overstocked while another is running low, transferring inventory can:

• Improve Goods Availability: Reducing out-of-stock scenarios in stores where demand is high.
• Decrease Inventory Levels: Lowering overstock conditions in stores where demand is low.
• Enhance Profit and Cash Flow: More balanced inventory levels mean less money tied up in unsold stock and better utilization of assets.

Strategic Decisions

Use tools like EOQ (Economic Order Quantity), JIT (Just-in-Time), and advanced forecasting to aid in this delicate balancing act. But also, don't underestimate the power of internal redistribution as a cost-effective, responsive strategy.

The Final Word

Inventory optimisation is not just about cutting down; it's about smart allocation and realignment. The goal is to harmonize inventory levels with business objectives and customer needs, understanding that perfection is not attainable but optimization is.