FASH 4620 - Assortment Planning and Buying Strategies

Fashion Merchandising
Previous Course Number: NEW

Using real world examples, students will be assuming roles as Buyers and Planners managing a business for a retailer. Assortment buying plans by SKU, vendor and/or classification will be developed based on sales and profitability history. Students will need to develop fashion and basic product assortment plans for both brick and mortar and e-commerce from inception to exit strategy. “What if “real world results will be hypothesized and students will have to react to real-time unanticipated macro- and microenvironmental circumstances. Students will allocate new merchandise and basic merchandise to stores by SKU and determine opportunities for business growth. Students will manage inventory levels, sales and turns by developing an understanding of store needs based on sales volume, floor space, sell through, weeks of supply and climate zones. Case studies will be used to analyze business decisions made by Buyers and Planners for current and future product, pricing, sales, promotional, turn and distribution issues in preparation for Executive Training Programs. Students will effectively run a business in a real-world simulation environment. Store visits will be utilized in order for students to analyze the assortment mix, pricing and presentation strategies that retailers employ.
credit(s): 3
Prerequisite(s): FASH 1110, FASH 1210, FASH 2560, FASH 3515, MATH 1100, TECH 1310