these questions relate to marketing

a. Consumers have five key reactions to stockouts: buy the item at another store, substitute a different brand, substitute the same brand, delay the purchase, or do not purchase the item. Consider your own purchasing behavior and describe how various categories of merchandise would result in different reactions to a stockout.

b. Abandoned purchases as a result of stockouts can mean millions of dollars a year in lost sales. How are retailers and manufacturers using technology to reduce stockouts and improve sales?

c. What is a universal product code (UPC)? How does this code enable manufacturers, distributors and retailers to track merchandise throughout the supply chain?

d. Why are some retailers switching from UPC codes to RFID?