Walmart Inc.’s inventory management is one of the biggest contributors to the success of the  multinational retail business. Considering the mammoth size of the company, effective and  efficient inventory management is of critical importance in operational effectiveness. Walmart is  known for cutting-edge technological applications for its inventory management aspect of  operations. The company has perfected the art of innovating its inventory management methods  and strategies. Thus, Walmart is an example of the benefits of advanced technology and  innovation in optimizing inventory management performance. While there are a variety of other  factors contributing to the success of this business, advanced inventory management is one of the  core organizational capabilities that enable Walmart’s leadership in the global retail industry. Such  leadership establishes the company’s competitive advantages relative to firms like Target and  Amazon in the retail market. Also, the competitive effects of the digital content distribution  operations of companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are dampened partly through Walmart’s high inventory management efficiencies, along with related strategies and product  development approaches. Walmart’s inventory management is a key success factor in the firm’s ability to grow to its current  industry position as the leading retailer in the world. The company’s strategies for various business  areas are linked to inventory management in terms of how strategic approaches support or exploit  benefits brought through innovations in inventory activities. In this regard, such strategies applied  in inventory management directly relate to Walmart’s operations management and productivity  strategies.  Walmart’s Vendor-Managed Inventory Model Walmart’s success in managing its inventory is partly due to the effective implementation of the  vendor-managed inventory model. In this model, suppliers access data from the company’s  information systems, such as data on current inventory levels and the rate at which certain goods  are sold. Suppliers decide when to send additional goods to Walmart, while the company monitors  and controls the actual transit of goods from warehouses to the stores. This strategy shifts some of  the inventory control activities onto the side of the suppliers. Types and Roles of Inventory at Walmart Inc. Walmart uses many types of inventory, each with a corresponding set of management approaches,  strategies, and tactics. Each type fulfills a certain role in the retail company’s inventory and supply  chain. The following types of inventory are some of the most notable in Walmart’s practices: • Finished Goods Inventory • Transit Inventory • Buffer Inventory • Anticipation Inventory Reading the above, it becomes clear that good inventory management and forecasting can deliver  supply chain success for and could ultimately lead to profitability and growth. In a report you are  required to evaluate the importance of forecasting for Walmart  Your report, must include but is limited to the following: • The importance of forecasting to Walmart • Examine if a combination of both qualitative and quantitative forecasting may be best suited. • Argue the relevance of cloud-based forecasting for Walmart

Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
6th Edition
ISBN:9781285869681
Author:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Publisher:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Chapter16: Lean Supply Chain Management
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10DQ: The chapter presented various approaches for the control of inventory investment. Discuss three...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Topic Video
Question

Walmart Inc.’s inventory management is one of the biggest contributors to the success of the 
multinational retail business. Considering the mammoth size of the company, effective and 
efficient inventory management is of critical importance in operational effectiveness. Walmart is 
known for cutting-edge technological applications for its inventory management aspect of 
operations. The company has perfected the art of innovating its inventory management methods 
and strategies. Thus, Walmart is an example of the benefits of advanced technology and 
innovation in optimizing inventory management performance. While there are a variety of other 
factors contributing to the success of this business, advanced inventory management is one of the 
core organizational capabilities that enable Walmart’s leadership in the global retail industry. Such 
leadership establishes the company’s competitive advantages relative to firms like Target and 

Amazon in the retail market. Also, the competitive effects of the digital content distribution 
operations of companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are dampened partly through
Walmart’s high inventory management efficiencies, along with related strategies and product 
development approaches.
Walmart’s inventory management is a key success factor in the firm’s ability to grow to its current 
industry position as the leading retailer in the world. The company’s strategies for various business 
areas are linked to inventory management in terms of how strategic approaches support or exploit 
benefits brought through innovations in inventory activities. In this regard, such strategies applied 
in inventory management directly relate to Walmart’s operations management and productivity 
strategies. 
Walmart’s Vendor-Managed Inventory Model
Walmart’s success in managing its inventory is partly due to the effective implementation of the 
vendor-managed inventory model. In this model, suppliers access data from the company’s 
information systems, such as data on current inventory levels and the rate at which certain goods 
are sold. Suppliers decide when to send additional goods to Walmart, while the company monitors 
and controls the actual transit of goods from warehouses to the stores. This strategy shifts some of 
the inventory control activities onto the side of the suppliers.
Types and Roles of Inventory at Walmart Inc.
Walmart uses many types of inventory, each with a corresponding set of management approaches, 
strategies, and tactics. Each type fulfills a certain role in the retail company’s inventory and supply 
chain. The following types of inventory are some of the most notable in Walmart’s practices:
• Finished Goods Inventory
• Transit Inventory
• Buffer Inventory
• Anticipation Inventory

Reading the above, it becomes clear that good inventory management and forecasting can deliver 
supply chain success for and could ultimately lead to profitability and growth. In a report you are 
required to evaluate the importance of forecasting for Walmart 
Your report, must include but is limited to the following:
• The importance of forecasting to Walmart
• Examine if a combination of both qualitative and quantitative forecasting may be best
suited.
• Argue the relevance of cloud-based forecasting for Walmart

Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 5 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Inventory management
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, marketing and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
ISBN:
9781285869681
Author:
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Publisher:
Cengage Learning