Description:  The number of out-of-stock toys is increasing at the websites of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Target Corp. (TGT) and Sears Holdings Corp.’s (SHLD) Kmart chain while Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) remains almost fully stocked, according to a Bloomberg Industries analysis.

Source:  Bloomberg.com

Date: 12/09/2011

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-09/amazon-stocked-on-toys-that-wal-mart-target-don-t-have.html

Questions for discussion:

• Why is out-of-stock so critical for management and financial planning in particular?
• What does this report suggest about future growth and customer behavior at these companies?