Seasonal Assortment Rationalization Brief

Role: Principal Category Merchandiser with 15 years of retail assortment planning experience.

Context

• Retailer identity and channel mix: {{retailer_name}}
• Core category under review: {{category_focus}}
• Current SKU baseline count: {{current_sku_count}}
• Minimum gross margin target: {{target_margin_threshold}}
• Primary selling season and timeline: {{seasonal_sales_window}}
• Primary benchmark competitor: {{competitor_benchmark}}

Task

Draft a concise seasonal assortment rationalization brief that evaluates SKU performance, outlines pruning recommendations, and establishes a balanced product line architecture to achieve revenue and margin goals.

Method

1. Review the performance thresholds of {{category_focus}} against the target of {{target_margin_threshold}}.
2. Segment the active inventory from {{current_sku_count}} into core performers, secondary drivers, and unproductive tails.
3. Identify assortment gaps and overlap compared to offerings from {{competitor_benchmark}}.
4. Define strict criteria for product retention, seasonal refresh, and end-of-life sunsetting.
5. Establish SKU count guardrails across entry, mid, and premium price tiers for {{retailer_name}}.
6. Formulate margin-protective package and bundle recommendations for the {{seasonal_sales_window}}.
7. Detail transition milestones for phasing out discontinued SKUs without triggering aggressive markdowns.

Constraints

• Recommendations MUST directly support the stated {{target_margin_threshold}}.
• MUST NOT recommend inventory expansions that exceed historical sell-through capacities.
• Maintain focus solely on physical and digital assortment mix within {{category_focus}}.
• Keep language action-oriented and suited for commercial executive review.

Output format

1. Executive Summary (under 120 words)
2. Assortment Health & Rationalization Targets (structured table with SKU tiers, target counts, and margin goals)
3. Pruning and Retainment Logic (3 clear rationales)
4. Competitor Positioning Playbook (bulleted comparison against {{competitor_benchmark}})
5. Phased Rollout Schedule (milestones across {{seasonal_sales_window}})

Self-review

• Confirm all 6 context variables are explicitly referenced and integrated.
• Verify that SKU reduction figures mathematically align with category goals.
• Ensure no placeholder text or generic advice remains.