---
type: "Learn"
title: "存货"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/learn/inventory-200005.md"
parent: "https://longbridge.com/en/learn.md"
datetime: "2026-04-08T18:11:10.238Z"
locales:
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/learn/inventory-200005.md)
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/learn/inventory-200005.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/learn/inventory-200005.md)
---

# 存货

<p>Inventory refers to the goods a company holds for the purpose of resale, work-in-progress items, and materials used in the production process.</p>

## Definition

Inventory refers to the goods held by a company for sale in the ordinary course of business, work in progress, and materials consumed in the production process. Inventory is a crucial component of a company's current assets, typically including raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods, and merchandise.

## Origin

The concept of inventory management dates back to the Industrial Revolution when companies began mass production, making inventory management and control essential. Over time, inventory management has evolved into a critical part of modern business management, especially in manufacturing and retail sectors.

## Categories and Features

Inventory can be categorized into several types: raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods, and merchandise. Raw materials are the basic materials used in production; work-in-progress refers to products that are not yet completed; finished goods are products that are completed and ready for sale; merchandise refers to products purchased by a company for resale. Inventory management must consider factors such as inventory turnover rate, inventory costs, and inventory shrinkage.

## Case Studies

Case 1: Apple Inc. places a high emphasis on inventory management within its supply chain. Through precise demand forecasting and supply chain optimization, Apple maintains low inventory levels, reducing holding costs. Case 2: Walmart uses its advanced inventory management system to monitor and adjust inventory levels in real-time, ensuring timely product supply and minimizing stock levels.

## Common Issues

Common issues investors face when analyzing a company's inventory include a low inventory turnover rate, which may lead to excessive capital being tied up, and a high inventory turnover rate, which may result in stockout risks. Additionally, inventory valuation methods (such as FIFO, LIFO) can affect the interpretation of financial statements.