Abstract

The case provides an overview of Amazon.com’s inventory management. Jeffrey Preston Bezos the founder of Amazon.com launched the company when he realized that Internet provided immense scope for online trading. Although the site was originally launched as an online bookstore it eventually offered several other products to keep abreast of the competition. The case takes a look at the different products and features offered on the site. The case also discusses Amazon’s value propositions and its criteria for choosing strategic partners. It then elaborates on the strategies adopted by Amazon for managing its inventory. It also explains Amazon’s decision to outsource inventory management to distributors. The case takes a look at Amazon’s decision to sell the products of competing retailers on its site. It concludes with a brief note on the future challenges in Amazon’s warehouse management.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Facilities offered and the technologies adopted by online shopping sites.

Keywords

Amazon.com, inventory management, Jeffrey Preston Bezos, launched, Internet, scope, online trading, online bookstore, products, features, value propositions, strategic partners, inventory, outsource, inventory management, distributors, Amazon, decision, products, competing retailers, future challenges, warehouse management