A useful tool in managing inventory is calculating an order point for each product. An order point is the lowest number of units that a product can reach before a replenishment is issued. Essentially, when inventory reaches this point, retailers know it is time to reorder the particular product. Determining the correct order point is vital to managing merchandise. If inventory goes too low, a retailer will likely run out of stock before the next order arrives if they do not calculate the order point accurately(chapter 12 slides). The order point is calculated by multiplying sales per week by lead time plus review time, then by adding buffer stock to that solution (Chapter 12 slides). By using order point, you are close to guaranteeing to a high degree of certainty that you will never stock out. Calculations of products x,y,z reveal that the order point of Product X is 90, Product Y is 1,470 and Product Z is …show more content…
Every business is continually working towards growing its profits. Through profit maximization, businesses can find the best price levels to achieve its profitability goals. This method allows companies to set different product at prices that return maximum revenue and profitability. Profit maximizing prices are important because they have a positive long-run effect on profit, rather than markdowns, which create excitement but inevitably have a negative long term profit effect. In order to find this equilibrium price, a company must determine its consumer’s price elasticity or price sensitivity (Chapter 14 slides). This is determined by comparing the change of new and old quantities in correlation to the change of new and old prices (Chapter 14 slides). Once the price elasticity is determined, a company must multiple the elasticity by price per unit of the specific product, divided by the elasticity of price plus one (chapter 14 slides). Essentially, by using supply and demand figures, retailers are able to find an equilibrium price in which supply equals demand. This creates some sort of “compromise price” with the consumer, thus yielding the most profit for that product. Calculations showed Product A has an elasticity of -1.36 and a calculated profit maximization price of $302.22, Product B has an elasticity of -2.5 and a calculated profit maximization price of $50.00, and Product C has an elasticity of -1.67