INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IN DECENTRALIZED MARKETS

We present a directed search model of intermediaries' dynamic inventory and revenue management. Search frictions hinder instantaneous replenishment, prompting intermediaries to utilize dynamic inventory-based pricing and ordering strategies. In equilibrium, when inventory is high, an intermediary posts a lower retail price to speed up sales and depresses wholesale price to slow down purchases. We characterize the evolution dynamics of inventory holdings and their steady-state distribution, and extend the model to multiunit wholesale orders, product differentiation, and heterogeneous intermediaries. Using data from used-car dealers, we quantitatively evaluate the welfare consequence of used-car dealers' inventory management practice.