The smaller inventory in the suburbs has meant that buyers generally have to look longer before they find a suitable property.

The smaller inventory reduces the need for expensive incentives at the end of the model year.

Service businesses, which need smaller inventories, make up a bigger share of the economy.

"There's a small inventory of homes in the $400,000-to-$550,000 range, but they sell in no time."

But, he noted, "it's a small inventory, not much traffic."

Auto companies keep very small inventories of parts at their assembly plants in order to hold down expenses.

Companies in those days ran on very thin margins and very small inventories.

They also reported that the deal had been well received and that only a small inventory remained.

Since there are smaller inventories to provide a cushion, prices rise.

With smaller inventories, it is unclear whether imports could come in fast enough to make up for a shortage.