Economic Order Quantities with Inflation

Abstract

The classical EOQ formula assumes that all relevant costs and prices are constant. In this paper it is shown that with inflation the choice of the inventory carrying charge used in the EOQ formula depends on the company's pricing policy. If prices change independently of replenishment order timing the inventory charge should be low and independent of the inflation rate. However, when no "double ticketing" is permitted and the company uses a constant percentage mark up the carrying charge is high and depends on the inflation rate and the mark-up. Only if the company is allowed a fixed monetary margin is the classical result for carrying charge valid.