ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the range-review process through a detailed look at the ‘post-mortem’ report and how it shapes the planning of future ranges. Aspects such as the analysis of historical sales figures, like-for-like sales, and sales forecasting will be discussed, showing how all this information feeds in to the merchandise plan. The buyer needs to consider many different elements that may have impacted on the previous trading season for the retailer. A large majority of these aspects will form the post-mortem report, which will be discussed in the chapter. The range review often takes place in the form of a presentation to the buying and merchandising teams, and, in some cases, the designers and garment technologists too, although this may depend on the brand’s structure and size. The post-mortem report, samples, sales figures, and sell-through and return rates will support the discussion of the previous season’s product ranges.
