An Insight into the Impacts of Memory, Selling Price and Displayed Stock on a Retailer’s Decision in an Inventory Management Problem

Abstract

The present paper aims to demonstrate the combined impact of memory, selling price, and exhibited stock on a retailer’s decision to maximizing the profit. Exhibited stock endorses demand and low selling prices are also helpful for creating demand. The proposed mathematical model considers demand as a linear function of selling price and displayed inventory. This work utilized fractional calculus to design a memory-based decision-making environment. Following the analytical theory, an algorithm was designed, and by using the Mathematica software, we produced the numerical optimization results. Firstly, the work shows that memory negatively influences the retailer’s goal of maximum profit, which is the most important consequence of the numerical result. Secondly, raising the selling price will maximize the profit though the selling price, and demand will be negatively correlated. Finally, compared to the selling price, the influence of the visible stock is slightly lessened. The theoretical and numerical results ultimately imply that there can be no shortage and memory restrictions, leading to the highest average profit. The recommended approach may be used in retailing scenarios for small start-up businesses when a warehouse is required for continuous supply, but a showroom is not a top concern.