Beer Game

Retailer

You're in!

Waiting for your instructor to open the game lobby. You'll be playing as Retailer on team Team A.

Waiting for instructor...
Retailer

Game Lobby Open

Your instructor has opened the game. Read the Phase 1 rules below, then start when your team is ready.

Phase 1 — Hidden Information

  1. You are one node in a 4-stage supply chain: Customer → Retailer → Wholesaler → Distributor → Factory.
  2. Each round, you receive demand from your downstream partner (or the customer if you are the Retailer).
  3. You decide how many units to order from your upstream supplier. Your order arrives after a 2-round lead time.
  4. Turns are sequential: Retailer → Wholesaler → Distributor → Factory.
  5. You have 2 minutes per round. If time runs out, a robot auto-orders for you.
  6. Phase 1 has 16 rounds. You cannot see other players' inventory or backlog — you only see your own data.
  7. Goal: minimize your total cost.
Starting Inventory12 units
Lead Time2 rounds
Holding Cost$0.50 / unit
Backlog Cost$1.00 / unit

Tip: Customer demand is 4 units for rounds 1-4, then jumps to 8 units from round 5 onward.

Phase 1 Complete!

Great job finishing the hidden information round. Here are your Phase 1 results:

Your Phase 1 Performance
Total Cost$0.00
Final Inventory0
Final Backlog0

Now it's time for Phase 2, where you can see everyone's inventory and backlog. Everything resets to a fresh start. Read the rules below, then start when ready.

Phase 2 — Visible Information

  1. Same supply chain, same rules — but now you can see every player's inventory and backlog in real time.
  2. Everything resets: 12 units starting inventory, 0 backlog, empty pipeline.
  3. The demand pattern also restarts: 4 units (rounds 1-4), then 8 units (rounds 5-16).
  4. Phase 2 also has 16 rounds with the same 2-minute timer.
  5. Use the information advantage to coordinate better with your team!
  6. Goal: beat your Phase 1 cost by making smarter ordering decisions with full visibility.
Starting Inventory12 units
Lead Time2 rounds
Holding Cost$0.50 / unit
Backlog Cost$1.00 / unit

Key difference: You can now see the entire supply chain's state. Use this to avoid the bullwhip effect!

Supply Chain
Retailer
—
12
→
Wholesaler
—
12
→
Distributor
—
12
→
Factory
—
12
My Round History
RndDemandOrderInvBacklogCost
No rounds yet.
Round Progress
Retailer
Wholesaler
Distributor
Factory
Waiting for Retailer to place an order...
My Status —
Incoming Demand
—
Inventory
12
Backlog
0
Holding Cost$0.00
Backlog Cost$0.00
Total Cost$0.00
🏆

Game Over!

Both phases are complete. Compare your performance:

Phase 1 (Hidden)
Inventory0
Backlog0
Total Cost$0.00
Phase 2 (Visible)
Inventory0
Backlog0
Total Cost$0.00

Check with your instructor for the full team debrief.