LOGISTICS AND ASSORTMENT DEPTH IN THE RETAIL SUPPLY CHAIN: EVIDENCE FROM GROCERY CATEGORIES
研究了零售供应链中品类深度变化带来的物流问题，通过100个产品品类的案例数据，分析了品类深度与毛利率、库存成本及缺货之间的关系。
Managing the logistical issues resulting from changes in assortment depth in the retail supply chain is challenging, involving various complex tradeoffs. While increasing assortment depth can increase sales, it also increases inventory‐holding costs and reduces the amount of space for other items. As space is taken from existing items to increase assortment depth, it reduces the inventory‐holding capacity of existing items on the shelf, increasing expected annual cost of lost sales. The paper presents a conceptual model of the relationships between assortment depth, category gross margins, and the logistical concerns resulting from inventory costs and out‐of‐stocks. Evidence for the significance of depth and resulting costs are provided in an examination of 100 product categories from a case study of a retail grocery chain.