Which of the following describes a situation of excess inventory?

• A. Market equilibrium
• B. A surplus
• C. A shortage
• D. A price decrease

Answer: (B)

A surplus is characterized by a situation in which the quantity of goods supplied exceeds the quantity of goods demanded at a given price. This discrepancy results in excess inventory because producers are unable to sell all the products they have produced. When there is too much inventory, it often indicates that the price may be too high, causing consumers to purchase less than what is available. This creates a mismatch in the market where supply outstrips demand, leading to a buildup of unsold goods.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent a scenario of excess inventory. Market equilibrium refers to a balance where supply equals demand, a shortage occurs when demand exceeds supply, and a price decrease does not inherently indicate excess inventory, but can be a response to help reduce that inventory surplus.