What is a potential consequence of poor demand forecasting?

Poor demand forecasting can lead to excess inventory or insufficient stock, which directly impacts a company's efficiency and profitability. When demand is overestimated, businesses may produce or purchase more items than are actually needed, resulting in excess inventory. This excess can lead to increased holding costs, potential stock obsolescence, and the need for markdowns to sell the surplus, ultimately eroding profit margins.

Conversely, if demand is underestimated, companies might find themselves with insufficient stock to meet actual customer needs. This could lead to stockouts, missed sales opportunities, and decreased customer satisfaction. Therefore, effective demand forecasting is critical for maintaining an optimal balance between supply and demand, ensuring that a company can meet customer expectations without incurring unnecessary costs.

In summary, the impact of poor demand forecasting manifests primarily in the ability of a company to align its inventory with actual market demand, which underscores the importance of accurate forecasting to avoid the pitfalls of either excess or insufficient stock.