Literal question
At the present time, when this establishment receives its main sales item, on average, how many days of inventory measured in days of sales, does this establishment keep? (INTERVIEWER: if respondent requires clarification, define days of inventory as stock on hand)
Interviewer instructions
Days of inventory of main sales item The purpose of this question is to assess the efficiency in the supply chain. When firms have to maintain a high level of sales items in stock, because they cannot rely on a predictable supply, this is a source of economic inefficiency. Inversely, if supplies of the main sales can be relied upon to be easily available, firms will keep low levels of stock on hand. The main sales item is the item that accounts for the highest percent of sales among all items that the establishment sells. It is not the item for which stock is maintained the longest. Days of inventory should be calculated by how many days, under normal sales conditions, it would take to deplete the main sales item held in supply at the establishment's premises.
