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9609 · 4.2.1

Managing inventory

9609 AS — stock types, holding costs, reorder levels, buffer stock, and stock-out risk.

Need to know

What you need to know

  • Inventory exists in three forms: raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.
  • Holding stock allows a business to satisfy customer orders promptly.
  • It provides a buffer against supply chain delays or unexpected surges in demand.
  • Bulk buying stock can lead to lower unit costs from suppliers (purchasing economies of scale).

Explanation

Managing inventory

  1. Inventory exists in three forms: raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.
  2. Holding stock allows a business to satisfy customer orders promptly.
  3. It provides a buffer against supply chain delays or unexpected surges in demand.
  4. Bulk buying stock can lead to lower unit costs from suppliers (purchasing economies of scale).