From Chapter $1,$ please answer the following questions regarding the Apple$/$ Gateway example.

$1.$

Why did Gateway choose not to carry any finished$-$product inventory at its retail stores?

Why did Apple choose to carry inventory at its stores?

$2.$

What are the characteristics of products that are most suitable to be carried in finished$-$goods

inventory at a retail store? What characterizes products that are best manufactured to

order?

$3.$

How does product variety affect the level of inventory a retail store must carry?

$4.$

Is a direct selling supply chain without retail stores always less expensive than a supply

chain with retail stores?

$5.$

What factors explain the success of Apple retail and the failure of Gateway Country

stores