How Big Is The ‘Zombie Inventory’ Problem?

Indago survey results highlight the prevalence of excess inventory, its root causes, and the operational costs it creates.

Jun 03, 2026

In response to the Covid pandemic and other disruptions, many companies shifted from Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case inventory strategies. But as demand normalized, many warehouses were left with growing amounts of “Zombie Inventory” — slow-moving, obsolete, or no-longer-needed items that tie up valuable warehouse space, working capital, and management attention.

Just how big is the zombie inventory problem?

To find out, we surveyed our Indago members — supply chain and logistics executives from manufacturing, retail, and distribution companies — in December 2025.

Most respondents indicated that zombie inventory was…

Amazon as a 3PL: Opportunity or Risk?

Amazon recently launched Amazon Supply Chain Services (ASCS), opening its freight, warehousing, fulfillment, and parcel shipping capabilities to businesses beyond Amazon sellers. The offering positions Amazon as a broader third-party logistics (3PL) and supply chain services provider across industries including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and automotive.

This survey explored how supply chain and logistics executives view this development, including potential benefits, concerns, and whether they would consider Amazon as a logistics partner.

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