Decisions regarding stores and warehouse locations involve a complex range of issues that are unique to each business. Most storage facilities and location decisions are based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Qualitative analysis uses subjective judgment to analyze a situation based on non-quantifiable in-formation, such as potential markets for new products, forecast on possible risks that may happen, etc.
Quantitative analysis (QA) is a technique that uses mathematical and statistical modeling, meas-urement, and research to understand behavior. Quantitative analysts represent a given reality in terms of a numerical value. This may include the following:
- Cost analysis for the current premises and future predictions based on current premises
- Cost analysis for routine operations
- Current inventory performance measures: lead times, service levels, rate of stock turn, stock-outs in a given period and stock cover To get a big picture of current situation and future demands, organisation should combine both qualitative and quantitative methods so that useful information is achieved and well-informed decisions are made.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.1

Raw materials are basic input materials - they are only processed limitedly or have not been pro-cessed at all.
Their values are equal to acquisition cost and are the lowest value of stock held.
Secondary components are the products that are combined with others to produce the finished goods. They are acquired in the processed state. Their value is higher than raw materials, but still at acquisition cost.
Work in progress is the stock part-way through manufacture that has not been finished. It is typically not completed yet, so it doesn't have full value. But the costs of processing already carried out makes it more valuable than materials and components.
Finished goods are completed and ready to be used or sold. Finished goods are the most expensive and need to be stored in good conditions.
Reference: CIPS study guide page 82-83
LO 2, AC 2.1