What is assortment planning? The product assortment is not a new idea that emerged in the digital age. It is, nonetheless, one of the most important methods employed by retailers, both offline store and e-commerce, to boost their returns on investment and other Key performance indicators.
Traditional retailing and e-commerce enterprises both benefit from product assortment strategies. The success of assortment planning, on the other hand, is determined by how the customer engages with the product and, as a result, with the brand.
In general, product assortment planning for e-commerce refers to the product mix that a company provides to a consumer to increase sales. For example, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sell more effectively while having a lower profit margin.
On the contrary, precious stones have a high-profit margin but do not sell rapidly. Product assortment also decides which inventory the company relies on the most, necessitating a successful product assortment planning for retailers. Depth and width are two significant components of product assortment.
The number of different versions of any product carried by the store, which may be in terms of colors, sizes, or characteristics, is referred to as ‘product depth.’ The greater the number of varieties, the greater is the store’s product selection.
On the other hand, a store’s ‘product breadth’ is the number of different things it sells. Target, for example, provides a diverse range of things to its clients, including clothes, groceries, and gadgets.
The answer to the most asked query of what is assortment planning lies in the product assortment strategy that may make or break a firm, which is why selection judgments should be made at the pre-planning stages before products are purchased.
A well-thought-out product selection plan optimizes revenue and profits while reducing risk. It can also influence inventory choices. Effective assortment planning for e-commerce brands should be implemented to increase sales and expand the consumer base.
It’s crucial since it determines which products the buyer will be introduced to, influencing his purchasing decisions. One thing that a business owner should keep in mind is that more isn’t always better.
A merchant must undertake industry analysis relating to the consumer’s taste, interests, and environmental conditions in addition to grasping the notion of product assortment. For example, during the colder months, an online fashion business would intend to have a selection of warm clothing on their homepage, as well as light cotton apparel for the summer.
Given the worldwide nature of e-commerce, online businesses must constantly evaluate both visitor and buyer interactions to stay competitive. Consumer behavior is constantly changing, and if carefully examined, it may help firms achieve better results.
Today’s firms are opting for a better-optimized product variety, segmentation, and price to stay afloat, which will only boost their sales and help them win in the e-commerce platform.
Developing an assortment planning strategy has indeed brought employees and customers closer together. In addition, businesses can use this opportunity to collect data for other brands and product development while consumers are experiencing bypasses into product categories or searching ‘what is assortment planning?’.
To put it another way, maximizing assortment creates space in the market for a win scenario in which both providers and buyers are satisfied with the trade.
