Retailers and manufacturers all over the modern world are now able to control and manage costs by using the “just-in-time” (JIT) survival inventory system. Have you heard of it? You better get familiar with it. When distressed situations suddenly occur, you have to act quickly. This system lets you do just that so that even if there’s no time left to prepare since the trouble happened too fast, you still have a decent chance at survival.

Survival Inventory Info Worth Remembering

Many are used to going to retail stores in search of a particular item and then finding its labeled spot but nothing there. Your next move is to inquire with the clerk whether they are really fresh out or if some are left in the back room. The usual reply to your query: everything is found outside the stock room and the item you’re looking for will be in the next shipment.

Those who’ve experienced a similar encounter at the corner store should know they just had their first minor exposure to the drawback (for consumers) of just-in-time inventory. It’s a cost control measure that favors the business, not so much the customer.

The story behind JIT inventory is that manufacturers and retailers discovered that they could save tons of money if they simply provided goods only as necessary in real time. This cuts the expenses in terms of inventory storage and management. In the earlier example, the retail place retains just as much as it needs to on hand to stock the shelves. Here, the owner lowers rental expenses since a big storage space out back and storefront for holding inventory is unnecessary.

Apart from the retail stores, you can also observe JIT inventory at the company warehouses from where store stocks are shipped. Warehouses will retain as few products on hand as is required, controlling costs at that supply chain stage. They talk with the manufacturers, interacting with them in a way that products reach them no earlier than necessary. This helps keep inventory-related expenses down across the board.

For business, JIT inventory is a beautiful thing. However, for consumers, it can be a pain, especially if they need something right away. When emergencies happen, store shelves can be wiped out in a second. It’s worse if the emergency was of a scale that it hindered the transfer of goods to the retail locations that are now empty. People without ample supplies in reserve could find themselves in serious trouble.

This is how people conduct business today so better get acquainted with JIT inventory quick. While you’re at it, consider stocking up on food as well as other essentials in case of an emergency. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of a huge disaster unprepared, do you? Don’t wait until the last minute to load up on reserve supplies because by then, there’ll be no time to do so.

Thank You For Visiting The Emergency Survival Blog. I hope that you are finding the information on this blog interesting and helpful.

Dan Annweiler
CEO & Editor of The Emergency Survival Blog