From Chapter 1 , please answer the following questions regarding the Apple/ Gateway example.

1.Why did Gateway choose not to carry any finished-product inventory at its retail stores? Why did Apple choose to carry inventory at its stores?

2.What are the characteristics of products that are most suitable to be carried in finished-goods inventory at a retail store? What characterizes products that are best manufactured to order?

3.How does product variety affect the level of inventory a retail store must carry?

4.Is a direct selling supply chain without retail stores always less expensive than a supplychain with retail stores?

5.What factors explain the success of Apple retail and the failure of Gateway Country stores

Pearson Collections Introduction to Supply Chain Management