The existence of speculative inventories seems to
call into question the underlying logic of QR, or
at least to highlight its limitations. How can one
speak of QR when the level of goods in stock is so
high? It is nevertheless quite possible, but not for
all supply chains. As Des Garets[11] has clearly
demonstrated, French retailing companies have
gradually developed a dual management system
depending on the products involved: when the
products cannot be stored over long periods
(fresh products) and/or when dealing with fast
moving lines, companies tend to transit through
stockless platforms – this is QR management; on
the other hand, when products with a distant sellby
date are offered by the suppliers, with particularly
attractive promotions (cleaning products),
they are bought in very large quantities and stored