Strategic Inventory Management and Operational Efficiency of Retail Supermarkets in Abuja

This research examines the relationship between strategic inventory management practices and operational efficiency of retail supermarkets in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. The organized retail sector in Abuja has expanded rapidly following urbanization and rising middle-class consumption patterns, creating pressure on supermarkets to optimize their supply chain and inventory systems. The study adopts a descriptive survey design targeting store managers, procurement officers, and logistics heads of twelve supermarkets operating in Wuse, Garki, and Gwarinpa districts. A total of 96 respondents were selected through purposive sampling, and structured questionnaires were the primary data collection instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Findings indicate that supermarkets deploying just-in-time inventory systems and demand forecasting technologies register significantly lower stockout rates, reduced carrying costs, and higher inventory turnover ratios compared to those using traditional manual stock management methods. The study also finds that supplier partnership strategies that enable consignment arrangements significantly improve operational cash flow without compromising product availability. The research concludes that Abuja supermarkets must invest in technology-driven strategic inventory systems to sustain operational efficiency in a competitive retail environment. Recommendations include the adoption of enterprise resource planning systems with real-time inventory tracking modules. Keywords: strategic inventory management, operational efficiency, retail supermarkets, Abuja, supply chain.