Optimal inventory policy for fast-moving consumer goods under e-commerce environment

Abstract

Coming up with effective inventory-ordering strategies for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) through online channels has a major characteristic that the goods are promoted frequently. In this paper, a multi-period inventory model is employed wherein each period represents the promotion period, and the inventory level can be adjusted by replenishing or salvaging the inventory at the beginning of each promotion period. A two-threshold ordering policy is proven to be optimal for each promotion period. The benefits of salvaging can be significantly high for decision makers. This study contributes to the literature of inventory management that products are frequently promoted under an e-commerce environment.