Happy Learning!!: RETAIL MANAGEMENT QB

UNIT II – MERCHANDISE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Explain the process of merchandise planning.
Describe the concept of assortment planning with examples.
What is category management? Discuss its importance in retailing.
Explain the key factors involved in vendor selection.
Describe the terms of purchase and their significance in retail buying.
Explain the open-to-buy (OTB) planning and its importance in budgeting.
Discuss key merchandise performance metrics such as GMROI and sell-through rate.
Explain the difference between cost-based and market-based pricing strategies.
Describe the importance of psychological pricing in retail.
Explain the role and objectives of visual merchandising.
Discuss the importance of point of purchase communication in retail.
Differentiate between private labels and national brands.
What are the advantages of private labels for retailers?
Explain how effective vendor management can improve merchandise performance.
Describe the importance of budgeting in merchandise planning.

Explain in detail the steps and importance of merchandise planning and assortment planning in retail.
Discuss the concept of category management and its role in improving merchandise profitability.
Evaluate the vendor selection process and explain how it affects merchandise quality and cost.
Explain the concept of open-to-buy (OTB) planning and budgeting, and discuss how it helps control inventory.
Analyze various merchandise performance metrics and their role in measuring retail efficiency.
Discuss in detail different pricing strategies and their relevance in the retail sector.
Evaluate the strategic role of visual merchandising and POP communication in influencing consumer buying behavior.
Compare and contrast private labels and national brands with examples from Indian retail stores.

Explain the relationship between retail marketing and consumer behavior.
Describe the elements of retail marketing strategy (STP approach).
Explain the concept of retail positioning and differentiation.
Discuss the process of building a strong retail brand and achieving store loyalty.
Explain demographic and psychographic factors influencing retail consumer behavior.
Describe the concept and benefits of relationship marketing in retail.
Explain the elements of the retail promotion mix.
Discuss the importance of advertising and events in retail promotion.
Explain the role of customer services in building brand loyalty.
Describe the common causes of service gaps in retailing.
Explain retail research methods such as surveys, footfall analysis, and mystery shopping.
Discuss the role of IT and social media in modern retailing.
Explain how influencer marketing and digital analytics enhance retail sales.
What are direct retailing methods? Explain with examples.
Discuss the importance of after-sales services and recovery strategies in retail.

Discuss how retail marketing strategies (STP and positioning) help in gaining competitive advantage.
Analyze the process of building retail brand loyalty through customer experience and service quality.
Explain the role of consumer demographics, psychographics, and shopping behavior in designing retail strategies.
Evaluate the importance of relationship marketing and customer retention in retail success.
Discuss the role of the retail promotion mix in influencing consumer purchase decisions.
Analyze the significance of customer services, service recovery, and handling service gaps in retail.
Explain the various retail research techniques and their practical application in improving store performance.
Evaluate how technology, social media, and e-retailing have transformed retail marketing practices.
Discuss the different forms of direct retailing such as catalogues, tele-retailing, m-commerce, and subscription models.
“Digital analytics and influencer marketing are reshaping the future of retail.” — Discuss with examples.