7. The number of weeks it takes to deliver orders to retailers. Company co-managers can decide
whether to install the capability to deliver the orders from independent footwear retailers in 4 weeks, 3
weeks, 2 weeks, or 1 week. While retailers can easily live with a 4-week delivery time on footwear
orders, manufacturers can boost the appeal of their brands and more easily convince retailers to carry their brands by cutting the delivery times on the orders of footwear retailers to 3 weeks, 2 weeks, or 1
week. Shorter delivery times help boost sales because retailers are less likely to run out of particular
sizes and styles, and they also make handling the company’s brand more appealing to retailers.
However, shorter delivery times entail higher shipping costs and higher inventory requirements.