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The distribution-free newsboy problem with resalable returns

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Author Info
Mostard, J.
Teunter, R.H.
Koster, M.B.M. de (Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), RSM Erasmus University)

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Abstract

We study the case of a catalogue/internet mail order retailer selling seasonal products and receiving large numbers of commercial returns. Returned products arriving before the end of the selling season can be resold if there is sufficient demand. A single order is placed before the season starts. Excess inventory at the end of the season is salvaged and all demands not met directly are lost. Since little historical information is available, it is impossible to determine the shape of the distribution of demand. Therefore, we analyze the distribution-free newsboy problem with returns, in which only the mean and variance of demand are assumed to be known. We derive a simple closed-form expression for the distribution-free order quantity, which we compare to the optimal order quantities when gross demand is assumed to be normal, lognormal or uniform. We find that the distribution-free order rule performs well in most realistic cases.

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Paper provided by Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. in its series Research Paper with number ERS-2003-068-LIS Revision_Date: 2009-07-29.

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Date of creation: 17 Oct 2003
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:eureri:30001084

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Related research
Keywords: inventory; distribution-free newsboy problem; product returns;

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  1. Vlachos, Dimitrios & Dekker, Rommert, 2003. "Return handling options and order quantities for single period products," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(1), pages 38-52, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  2. Silver, Edward A. & Moon, Ilkyeong, 2001. "The multi-item single period problem with an initial stock of convertible units," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(2), pages 466-477, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. Fleischmann, Moritz & Bloemhof-Ruwaard, Jacqueline M. & Dekker, Rommert & van der Laan, Erwin & van Nunen, Jo A. E. E. & Van Wassenhove, Luk N., 1997. "Quantitative models for reverse logistics: A review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 1-17, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. Mantrala, Murali K. & Raman, Kalyan, 1999. "Demand uncertainty and supplier's returns policies for a multi-store style-good retailer," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 115(2), pages 270-284, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Mostard, J. & Teunter, R.H., 2002. "The Newsboy Problem with Resalable Returns," Research Paper ERS-2002-89-LIS Revision_, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus Uni. [Downloadable!]
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