Home > Glossary > Carrying cost

Carrying Cost

Carrying cost, also known as holding cost, refers to the total cost a business incurs to hold or store inventory over a specific period. These costs include warehousing, insurance, depreciation, spoilage, and opportunity costs of tied-up capital. Carrying costs can significantly affect a company's profitability, especially if inventory levels are not optimized. Companies aim to minimize carrying costs by managing inventory levels efficiently and balancing stock to avoid excessive storage expenses.

Example

A retail store holding excess inventory for too long may face increased carrying costs due to storage fees, insurance premiums, and potential product obsolescence.

Key points

• Carrying cost is the expense of storing and maintaining inventory.

• Includes storage, insurance, depreciation, and opportunity costs.

• Reducing carrying costs can improve profitability through efficient inventory management.

Quick Answers to Curious Questions

Storage fees, insurance, depreciation, spoilage, and the opportunity cost of capital tied up in inventory contribute to carrying costs.

By optimizing inventory management, using just-in-time (JIT) inventory practices, and minimizing excess stock.

High carrying costs reduce profitability by increasing expenses associated with holding inventory, making efficient inventory management critical for cost control.