=+Kroger, Safeway Inc., and Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. are three grocery chains in the United States. Inventory management is an important aspect of the grocery retail business.

Recent balance sheets for these three companies indicated the following merchandise inventory information:

Merchandise Inventory End of Year Beginning of Year

(in millions) (in millions)

Kroger $4,609 $4,486 Safeway 2,643 2,766 Winn-Dixie 523 798 The cost of goods sold for each company were:

Cost of Goods Sold

(in millions)

Kroger $50,115 Safeway 28,604 Winn-Dixie 5,327