How has 7-Eleven Japan's effective use of supply chain management helped them expand their business? It has lowered inventory costs. This frees up cash that can be used for expansion. It has created a centralized power structure that is very attractive to venture capitalists. It has allowed them to offer higher wages to their employees than their competitors can pay. This allows them to expand because there is no shortage of workers to staff the new stores. It has created excess inventory that can be used to stock new stores