OK so you guys know about JIT, but the business killer is IPS in process stock, i.e.that is items that you actually have (physical inventory) and have been invoiced for from a supplier, or worse still paid for but havent processed yet i.e. sold to your customers and recieved payment or invoiced the purchaser, so IPS is you dormant capital slowing you cash flow, unchecked this will kill a business and in a global recession death by lack of cash flow is quick
Logistics companies employing JIT are pretty damned good these days so, next working day delivery is usually a given when ordering stock in, sorry to have to tell you that in very harsh business climates racks of stock waiting for customers that may not come is just sooo last century and will not be returning any time soon if ever