run down

"window dressing" - it is posible to take steps at the end of the year to create a certain impression; for example, run down inventory levels to improve the inventory ratio.

What does run down here mean?

Thank you.

Here is the definition from the Cobuild dictionary. Hope it helps. So it means that they reduce the supply.

3 If someone runs down an amount of something, they reduce it or allow it to decrease. (mainly BRIT)

But the survey also revealed firms were running down stocks instead of making new products...