Retail Inventory Management: The Opportunity OEMs Can’t Afford to Miss
For years, OEMs have talked about the importance of parts availability, dealer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. But the time for talk is over. What’s needed is action, and nowhere is that more critical than in the way OEMs manage inventory across their dealer networks.
Retail Inventory Management (RIM) programs are no longer a ‘maybe some day’ initiative buried in a planning deck. It’s becoming a strategic mandate, driven by changing customer expectations, growing pressure on dealer performance, and the increasing threat of margin erosion from non-OEM parts suppliers.
From ‘Dealer Problem’ to OEM Responsibility
Inventory imbalances, lost sales, and frustrated customers have traditionally been seen as problems for the dealer to solve. But that mindset is shifting.
Leading OEMs have long recognized that the health of their dealer network holds a mirror to their own strategy. If parts aren’t available when and where they’re needed, brand loyalty erodes. If dealers are left to manage stock manually, inefficiencies multiply. And if the aftermarket experience disappoints, competitors are ready and waiting to step in.
In short, OEMs can’t afford to be hands-off when it comes to dealer inventory.
RIM as a Leadership Imperative
Done right, RIM enables a smarter, more synchronized supply chain that gives OEMs visibility into retail-level demand, supports dealers with data-driven replenishment, and helps ensure that the right parts are always in the right place.
But RIM isn’t just a supply chain play. It’s a leadership decision that demands executive-level commitment, clear program policies, and alignment across sales, service, supply chain, and IT.
In other words, RIM must be driven from the top. Because the benefits, including higher parts revenue, stronger dealer relationships, and more resilient operations, are too important to leave to chance.
The Risks of Standing Still
For OEMs still relying on static stocking guides, disconnected spreadsheets, or outdated RIM 1.0 systems, the risks are growing.
Dealer expectations are changing fast. They want better visibility, faster support, and more collaboration from the OEMs they represent. At the same time, chronic labor shortages are stretching teams thin, making it harder to sustain the manual processes that once held things together. And all around them, new players and aftermarket aggregators are moving aggressively to capture parts sales, leaving OEMs fighting to protect both their margins and their brand.
In this environment, delay equals disadvantage. OEMs that fail to modernize their dealer inventory strategies risk losing not only revenue, but also relevance.
The Time to Act Is Now
The good news is that OEMs don’t need to start from scratch. Proven platforms and best practices already exist to help them build or evolve a successful RIM program that’s tailored to their network, scalable across markets, and designed to deliver value from day one.
With the right strategy and technology foundation, OEMs can turn retail inventory into a source of competitive advantage that strengthens dealer performance and protects longterm profitability.
Learn how modern RIM programs drive revenue, resilience, and dealer loyalty in our new white paper.
Download the white paper: The OEM Playbook for Dealer Loyalty and Parts Growth