Fulfillment

Consignment Inventory

Inventory owned by the supplier but stored at the buyer's location until used or sold.

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Updated 2025-10-01

Definition

Consignment inventory allows suppliers to store goods at a customer's premises while retaining ownership until items are consumed or sold.

Overview

Overview

Consignment inventory improves supply chain responsiveness and reduces buyer inventory costs.

Benefits

  • Reduces buyer capital investment
  • Improves product availability
  • Strengthens supplier-buyer collaboration

Example

A manufacturer keeps a stock of spare parts at a distributor's warehouse, billing only when parts are used.

Tags

#Consignment Inventory#Supplier#Inventory Management#Fulfillment

Related Terms

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)
Inventory Turnover
Just-In-Time (JIT)