That seems like a distinction without a difference. Yes, Safeway owns inventory of branded merchandise that's on their shelves, but in modern retail, they probably don't own more than a couple of weeks of inventory. And, in modern retail, it's highly likely that branded vendors (like Coke and Pepsi) have very complex relationships with retailers that include co-op fees for marketing, premiums paid for end-cap placement and special displays, and bonuses for hitting certain volumes.
