Discounts + long payment terms
For companies in the retail sector, the balance between cash discounts (or purchasing costs) on one side and positioning and liquidity creation through additional payment terms on the other is crucial.
Buyers in retail can often benefit from discount agreements with their suppliers. A 2% price reduction for early payment is an advantage that one cannot simply forgo. At the same time, high internal inventory levels and fundamentally locked-in liquidity due to utilizing additional payment terms are essential for their own cash flow. This fundamental conflict forces a compromise, where either earnings or liquidity suffer along the way.
Additionally, unforeseen supply chain and demand fluctuations require highly flexible Working Capital Management. Every dollar, not tied up, serves as a strategic buffer to react to bottlenecks or to secure targeted inventory, thereby ensuring your own delivery capability.