USING INTER‐BRANCH STOCK TRANSFERS TO MEET DEMAND DURING A STOCKOUT

Many retail chains allow stock transfers to take place between branches. Considers the special case where one branch, out of stock of a particular line, faced with a customer wanting that specific product and unable to obtain it (in a sufficiently short period of time) through the normal distribution channels, obtains it from another branch in the chain. Argues that this process can be managed and controlled more effectively than is often the case at present, particularly if branch access is made available to central databases.