#Japan #Tokyo #Inventory Management #Goldratt Japan #Takahiro Saito

Revolutionizing Inventory Management in Retail

On February 4th, 2026, Goldratt Japan will host the second session of the Retail Management Study Group at Tokyo Culture Culture in Shibuya. This event will focus on the significant changes in the retail and apparel industry driven by innovative inventory management strategies. The highlight of the session will include insights from Takahiro Saito, the author of 'Uniqlo vs Zara', and executives from successful companies who have implemented these strategies to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.

The current retail landscape is facing several challenges including chronic markdowns leading to reduced profit margins, stockouts causing lost sales opportunities, and management decisions focused solely on reducing inventory levels. As inflation, rising raw material costs, and polarized consumer spending continue to reshape the apparel and retail sectors, the essence lies not in the quantity of stock, but in how it is managed to maximize profitability.

This research group aims to recalibrate the profit structures in the industry by concentrating on optimal inventory movement—placing stock in the right locations at the right times. Firms applying this concept have reported remarkable enhancements in profitability while also fostering a significant cultural shift within their operations. By relying on AI for demand forecasting and inventory allocation, teams can devote more time to high-value decision-making that encompasses product planning and strategic initiatives.

During the event, conversations will delve into how leading retailers have transformed their inventory management practices. Participants will engage in a board game titled 'The Magic of Inventory Management', where they’ll navigate inventory distribution in a simulated retail environment. This interactive experience will reveal how reliance on intuition and assumptions in inventory operations leads to lost revenue opportunities and demonstrate the pitfalls of believing that cutting costs equates to increased profits.

A crucial objective of this event is to facilitate an understanding of how teamwork in decision-making processes can activate vibrant organizational communication centered around inventory management. By focusing on operational methods that do not center on merely cutting back inventory, companies can achieve a balance between reducing excess stock and preventing stockouts, effectively changing both profitability and decision-making in the workplace. Case studies and discussions will illustrate practical applications, reinforcing the concept that inventory should be perceived not just as a cost but as a key driver of management decisions.

Event Details

• - Date: February 4, 2026 (Wednesday) 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
• - Venue: Tokyo Culture Culture (Shibuya)
• - Capacity: Limited to 50 attendees (Management personnel from apparel and retail sectors)
• - Participation Fee: ¥8,000
• - Organizer: Goldratt Japan

Register Here

Program Schedule

• - 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Maximizing Profits! Board Game 'The Magic of Inventory Management' (Team Competition) + Results Analysis (Partner from Goldratt Japan, Motoi Tobita)
• - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: 'Inventory Strategies that Maximize Profits on the Ground' + Case Study Presentation (Fashion distribution consultant Takahiro Saito × Practicing businesses)
• - 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Networking Session.

About the Retail Management Study Group

In November 2025, the Retail Transformation Community was launched to celebrate the publication of the comic version of 'The Goal 4: The Magic of Inventory Management'. This initiative addresses long-standing structural challenges like price competition and excessive inventory by aiming to establish a balance between enjoyable workplaces and profitable companies. Leaders responsible for operational reforms and managerial decisions gather to share insights based on Theory of Constraints (TOC) principles, promoting new business models that ensure both pride in work and sustained growth.

Speaker Profiles

Takahiro Saito: A seasoned fashion distribution consultant with extensive experience from global apparel sourcing to local store management. He specializes in inventory management conversions that translate overstock into gross profit and cash flow. An author known for 'Uniqlo vs Zara' and ongoing columns, Saito facilitates organizations in optimizing inventory while integrating AI to enhance productivity.

Motoi Tobita: Partner at Goldratt Japan and a pioneer in scientific thought, who has established his authority through extensive research and industry experience. His unique insights into maximizing profits have been instrumental in the development of inventory operation software.

About Goldratt Group

Founded by Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt, author of the best-selling 'The Goal', the Goldratt GroupUtilizes the Theory of Constraints for management reform across global enterprises. They aim to evolve through the latest knowledge of TOC to provide breakthrough insights to customers worldwide, following the philosophy of transforming workplaces into environments everyone looks forward to.