A Study on Management of Inventory Practices in Dairy Cold Chain

This study examines how inventory practices within the dairy cold chain influence product freshness, spoilage rates, operational efficiency, and retailer profitability. Dairy products are highly perishable, and even small lapses in temperature control or stock rotation can lead to considerable losses. Retailers must maintain proper storage, follow effective stock rotation methods such as FIFO and FEFO, and ensure continuous monitoring of refrigeration systems. The research highlights that efficient practices—including frequent inventory checks, FEFO-based rotation, real-time temperature monitoring, and well-maintained cold storage—significantly reduce spoilage and enhance product quality. However, challenges such as inconsistent power supply, limited infrastructure, high refrigeration costs, and lack of training affect inventory accuracy and cold chain integrity. The study concludes that adopting systematic, technology-supported inventory management practices can strengthen food safety, reduce wastage, and improve retailer profitability within the dairy cold chain.