Assortiments

Assortiments refers to the set of products that a retailer, supplier, or brand offers to a specific market or channel. It comprises the breadth, the number of different product categories, and the depth, the number of variants or SKUs within each category. The purpose of managing an assortiments is to meet customer needs, optimize space and inventory costs, and maximize profitability. Factors shaping an assortiments include the target customer base, the channel (store or online), price positioning, seasonality, supplier capabilities, and logistical constraints.

In practice, assortiments are organized into core or evergreen items, seasonal or promotional items, and niche or premium lines. A balanced approach aims for sufficient breadth to cover relevant categories while maintaining adequate depth in high-demand areas. Different formats, such as supermarkets, department stores, and specialty shops, require different balance between breadth and depth.

Planning and management often involve category management and data-driven decision making. Decisions cover which SKUs to carry, how many variants to offer, and how to allocate shelf or digital space. The process includes forecasting, supplier collaboration, replenishment planning, and regular rationalization to remove underperforming items and reduce complexity.

Performance is monitored using metrics such as breadth and depth, sell-through rate, stock turnover, stock-outs, fill rate, and gross margin return on inventory (GMROI). Advances in e-commerce enable dynamic assortments driven by search data, personalization, and omnichannel fulfillment, further aligning offerings with consumer demand.