Vendor managed inventory (VMI) — benefits, risks, and best practices.

Inventory management often hinges on retailers’ ability to predict their needs — an imperfect science that can lead to costly inefficiencies. Overstocking ties up cash flow and inflates storage expenses, while understocking risks missed sales and dissatisfied customers. Vendor managed inventory (VMI) offers a solution, enabling suppliers to take control of inventory management, even within a retailer’s warehouse.

By aligning vendor and retailer priorities, VMI improves supply chain efficiency, fosters collaboration, and drives predictability for both parties.

In this guide:

• What is vendor managed inventory?
• How does a VMI system work?
• Advantages of vendor managed inventory
• Disadvantages of vendor managed inventory
• Best practices for vendor managed inventory
• Getting started with vendor managed inventory

What is vendor managed inventory?

Vendor managed inventory (VMI) is a collaborative inventory management system where vendors monitor, replenish, and maintain inventory levels at a retailer’s location. This partnership benefits both parties by reducing inventory-related costs and risks while ensuring consistent availability of products for customers.

VMI offers vendors predictable demand and streamlined workflows, while retailers enjoy improved inventory accuracy and reduced operational complexity.

How does a VMI system work?

A successful VMI system relies on shared data, clear agreements, and ongoing communication. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Vendor and retailer set metrics for success.

Both parties establish goals, KPIs, and terms for the partnership. Common KPIs include:

• In-stock performance: Measures how effectively inventory meets demand.
• Inventory turnover rate: Indicates how quickly inventory sells, calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold by the average inventory value.
• Transaction cost: Tracks fluctuations in transaction costs to identify supply chain disruptions.

2. Vendor ships initial inventory.

Vendors deliver inventory based on predefined metrics and provide an Advance Ship Notice (ASN) — a post-shipment document that tracks inventory, automates transaction records, and reduces accounting errors.

3. Vendor monitors sales and inventory.

Retailers share real-time inventory and sales data with vendors. This ongoing data exchange ensures the vendor can adjust stock levels based on sales trends, lead times, and demand fluctuations.

4. Vendor replenishes inventory.

Using sales data and agreed-upon metrics, vendors replenish inventory as needed. Retailers pay based on the agreed timeline — either upon receipt or after selling the stock.

What are the advantages of vendor managed inventory?

1. Reduced costs.

Streamlines inventory planning for retailers, reducing excess storage and administrative costs. Enables vendors to optimize production and delivery schedules, lowering their operational expenses.

2. Enhanced forecasting.

Real-time data sharing helps vendors make accurate inventory predictions and adjust for demand trends. Enables retailers to better prepare for market fluctuations.

3. Stronger relationships.

Promotes trust and collaboration between vendors and retailers, resulting in more stable, long-term partnerships.

4. Improved stock availability.

Reduces stockouts, ensuring customers can always find what they need, boosting satisfaction and loyalty.

5. Minimized risk.

Shifts inventory risk to vendors, lowering the burden on retailers.

What are the disadvantages of vendor managed inventory?

Despite its advantages, VMI requires careful planning to address potential challenges:

1. Data proficiency.

Vendors must have the tools and expertise to process shared data effectively. Retailers should assess a vendor’s technical capabilities before partnering.

2. Communication gaps.

Miscommunication can result in overstock or stockouts. Regular updates and clear protocols are essential.

3. Demand spikes.

Unexpected surges in demand may disrupt the vendor’s forecasts, causing temporary shortages.

4. Security risks.

Sharing sensitive data increases exposure to breaches. Secure platforms and confidentiality agreements are critical.

5. Dependency on vendors.

Deep integration with a vendor can make switching partners difficult, particularly if the relationship sours.

VMI best practices.

To ensure VMI success, businesses should follow these best practices:

1. Set boundaries and fees.

• Define storage capacity, acceptable inventory levels, and payment terms upfront.
• Establish clear return policies for unsold inventory.

2. Create goals and metrics.

• Agree on long-term goals and the metrics to measure success (such as turnover rates and transaction costs).
• Use data to maintain alignment and improve transparency between parties.

3. Share frequent and abundant data.

• Regularly share sales, inventory, and market data to enable informed vendor decisions.
• Use automated systems for real-time data sharing to minimize delays and inaccuracies.

4. Communicate changes.

• Notify vendors of shifts in demand, seasonality, or product changes as early as possible.
• Automate notifications for routine updates to streamline the process.

5. Secure your data.

• Protect sensitive data with robust encryption and sign confidentiality agreements with vendors.

Getting started with vendor managed inventory.

Vendor managed inventory can significantly reduce costs, improve efficiency, and foster stronger vendor-retailer relationships. To get started:

1. Choose the right vendor.

• Assess potential vendors’ data proficiency, analytics capabilities, and reliability.
• Look for vendors with experience managing similar products or working in your industry.

2. Invest in technology.

Implementing the right technology is critical to the success of a vendor managed inventory system. Modern ecommerce platforms like Adobe Commerce go beyond basic inventory management, offering tools that integrate real-time insights, advanced analytics, and customer journey optimization.

• Ecommerce-specific analytics with Adobe Product Analytics
  Dive deeper into ecommerce performance with detailed product-level insights. Track which products are driving sales, analyze purchasing patterns, and identify underperforming inventory, empowering smarter decisions about stock levels and replenishment.
• Customer journey maps with Adobe Journey Optimizer
  Understand how customers interact with your brand across touchpoints. Map the customer journey to identify pain points and optimize interactions, ensuring that inventory aligns with customer expectations at every stage.

3. Monitor and refine.

• Track performance metrics regularly and adjust strategies based on analytics insights.

Vendor managed inventory transforms traditional inventory management by creating a collaborative framework that benefits both vendors and retailers. By aligning priorities, improving forecasting, and reducing risks, VMI enables businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.

With advanced tools like Adobe Commerce, you can unlock the full potential of VMI, integrating AI-powered insights and seamless workflows to streamline inventory processes.

Learn more about Adobe Commerce’s VMI capabilities. Schedule a product tour or request a demo today.