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Category and Merchandise Management

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Category and Merchandise Management
Category and Merchandise Management

Introduction
In today’s competitive business environment, it is essential for all the retail organizations and retailers to effectively categorize and present their goods and services that influence the customers’ perception and attract them towards the products and services effectively. Through the effective management of category and merchandise, a retail company can also effectively provide a detailed description about the products and services to the customers (Varley, 2013). It helps the companies to create effective management of their products and services. This paper discusses the category and merchandise management through the different key concepts and frameworks. In order to provide detailed understanding about category and merchandise management, the selected company is Gap, Inc. Through this, this paper is also able to describe the performance measures that company uses to create effective analysis of its management.
Category Management of Gap Inc
Category management is an essential part of any retailer that helps to maintain effective stock of different products and services at the stores. In the category management, Gap Inc. creates effective management of the categories through dealing in different categories such as branded and non-branded apparel. In general, company deals in apparel and operates five of the most recognized apparel brands such as Gap, banana republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. In the categories, company offers clothing, accessories and personal caring products for children, man, women and old age people. In order to perform effective category management, company establishes supportive relationship with the suppliers through sharing information with them (Ireland, Hoskisson & Hitt, 2008). It helps the company to manage its categories effectively.
At the different stores, company divides its products in different sections and category according the needs and demands of customers. the



References: Annual Report (2010). Gap, Inc. [Online]. Available at http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/11/111302/GPS_AR_10.pdf [Accessed: 29 March, 2013]. Annual Report (2011). Gap, Inc. [Online]. Available at http://investors.gapinc.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=111302&p=irol-reportsAnnual [Accessed: 29 March, 2013]. Baran, R. J., Galka, R. J. & Strunk, D. P. (2008) Principles of Customer Relationship Management. USA: Cengage Learning. Cheng, T. C. E. & Choi, T. M. (2010) Innovative Quick Response Programs in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. USA: Springer. Dunne, P. M., Lusch, R. F. & Carver, J. R. (2011) Retailing. USA: Cengage Learning. Gilbert, D. (2003) Retail Marketing Management. South Africa: Pearson Education. Guffey, M. E. & Loewy, D. (2010) Business Communication: Process & Product. USA: Cengage Learning. Ireland, R. D., Hoskisson, R. E. & Hitt, M. A. (2008) Understanding Business Strategy: Concepts and Cases. USA: Cengage Learning. Levy, M. & Weitz, B. A. (2011) Retailing Management. USA: McGraw-Hill Professionals. Lussier, R. N. (2011) Management Fundamentals: Concepts, Applications, Skill Development. USA: Cengage Learning. Turconi, S. (2010) Achieving Strategic Agility - On the Fast Track to Superior Performance in Fashion Retail. Germany: GRIN Verlag. Varley, R. (2013) Retail Product Management: Buying and Merchandising. UK: Routledge.

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