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Unit 9 Retail Mathematics For Buying and Merchandising: Structure

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Retail Mathematics for

UNIT 9 RETAIL MATHEMATICS FOR Buying and Merchandising

BUYING AND MERCHANDISING

Structure

9.0 Objectives

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Practice of Retail Financial Management

9.3 Terms Used for Retail Buying and Merchandising

9.3.1 Vendor Negotiations

9.3.2 In Store Merchandise Loss

9.4 Financial while Buying for Retail

9.5 Financial while Buying for Merchandising

9.6 Financial while Pricing for Merchandising

9.7 Retail Pricing Strategies

9.8 Let Us Sum Up

9.9 Key Words

9.10 Answers to Check Your Progress

9.11 Terminal Questions

9.0 OBJECTIVES

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

 discuss the practice of Retail financial management;

 analyse various terms used for Retail buying and merchandising;

 describe various Retail financial formulas that are applicable while buying
and merchandising;

 explain the importance and scope of Retail financial formulas;

 apply Retail financial (mathematical) formulas to solve the exercises, and

 explain how are these formulas helpful for different strategies of pricing.

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Buying and Merchandising
9.1 INTRODUCTION

In Retail, all the activities are directly related to the sale of goods and services to
the final consumer for personal and non-business use. It is simply an exchange of
goods and service for final consumption. While doing so, though the exchange of
goods and service for a value or transaction is very important, the focus is on the
customer satisfaction, so as to retain the customer for the repeat patronage. In this
unit, you will learn about the definitions and meaning of terms that are used while
practicing Retail buying and merchandising. You will further learn financial
while buying for Retail as well as for merchandising. Your will also learn about
different pricing strategies in Retail.

9.2 PRACTICE OF RETAIL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Retail operation depends on the level of ownership, level of service, product or


service offered to customer, price, place and promotion. In essence, it depends on
the Retail Mix, the Store selects to operate. Therefore, retailing aims at smooth
transaction of business to meet the customer’s immediate requirement, without
making any loss. The determinants of profit depend on a prudent and conscious
practice of financial management. The practice of Retail financial management is
broadly classified into three main areas as mentioned below:

1. Financial while buying and inventory planning for Retail;


2. Financial while performing merchandising function for the Retail Stores;
3. Financial while pricing of merchandise;

These above financial formulas are helpful to study the basic of Retail Store’s
cost, margin, performance indices of the Store and its constituents.
The changes in retailing operation are rapid and competitive. The merchandisers
and front end associates are always under pressure to meet twin primary
expectations that are, customer satisfaction and Store’s better performance. The
tools or formulas for financial are defined as follows. (For better understanding,
you should substitute the formulas with numbers and practiced over and again.)
The purpose of studying the formulas of Retail financials is to prepare you to take
right decision while performing activities related to merchandising and its
implications on the function of Retail. This chapter will explain you the key
formulas and methods that help to take financial decisions you are required to
learn and apply in the Retail profession. A thorough understanding of the retailing
mathematics is essential for the successful completion of your learning
programme. The following problems are intended to give you a better idea of the
type of math you will be applying as part of your learning.
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Retail Mathematics for
An understanding of these types of problems will give you the edge you will need
Buying and Merchandising
in order to succeed in the Retailer . Retail math formulas have been provided to
guide you in working through these problems.

The major responsibility of a merchandiser in retailing is to make a right


decisions with regard to the merchandise, quantity, quality, time, purchase cost,
source of the merchandise so that the decisions will help to attain a profit for
business. The underlining importance is to sell merchandise at a profit. The buyer
makes selection of the merchandise assortment after carefully doing the
merchandise planning and deciding what, when, where and how much to buy and
at what price.

9.3 TERMS USED FOR RETAIL BUYING AND


MERCHANDISING

There are several terms which are frequently used in buying and merchandising.
Let us learn them in detail.

Cost is the amount the Retailer pays for the merchandise while doing the
purchases.

Retail price is the price at which Stores offer the merchandise to consumers.

Operating Income is sales volume (net sales) indicates how much merchandise
has been sold.

Cost of Goods Sold is the amount paid for the goods sold also known as COGS.

Operating Expenses are all the expenses, other than COGS, incurred in the
buying/selling process. For example, the cost of freight, insurance, transportation,
warehousing, electricity, packing, storing, material movement, labeling, marking,
visual merchandising, Store design and decoration etc.,

Gross Sales – the sum amount received for goods during a given period. This
does not take into account any goods returns or price reductions.

Customer Returns - the return of sales when merchandise is returned to stock


and a customer receives a refund due to an identified or unidentified fault of the
goods.

Net Sales – Total sales minus customer returns and allowances from the gross
sales. Merchandisers must determine the retail price for the items they purchase
based on the amount they can afford to pay a Supplier for the merchandise. If the
retail price is fixed without checking the cost of goods at purchase, the Retailer
may end up in loss. There are many factors which govern the pricing of the goods
including the cost at which the goods are purchased. 111
Buying and Merchandising
Direct Expenses : Expenses that are specific to merchandise or a department and
would exist till the merchandise or department continues in the Retail Store. For
example – if the Store sells umbrella, rainwear, caps etc. during the pre and
during monsoon seasons, the salaries of buying and sales teams, departmental
advertising, In-Store promotion, selling supplies, and customer delivery expenses
are known as direct expense for the merchandise mix or department.

Indirect Expenses : Store expenses that exist whether a department or


merchandise is added or discontinued. The expenses are calculated at prorata
basis to all selling departments based on their sales volume. For instance, if a
department contributes 2% to Sales of the whole Store, then, indirect expenses of
the department is charged at 2% of the total Stores indirect expenses. Some
examples of indirect expenses are: Store security, house-keeping, store insurance,
rent, general electricity and salaries of middle and top level management staff.

Contribution : It is a margin, or the amount the department contributes to


indirect expenses and profits. For example, if a store procures one kg of wheat at
the rate of Rs. 26 and sells at the rate of Rs. 30 per kg. Rs. 26 includes the cost of
goods. And the difference between the selling price (Rs. 30) and the cost of goods
is (Rs. 26). The contribution of selling 1 Kg wheat is Rs. 4 that meets the indirect
expenses and the profit.

Contribution Margin : Contribution Margin is the difference between total sales


revenue and total variable costs. The term is applied to a product line and is
generally expressed as a percentage.

Contribution Margin = Total Sales - Variable Costs

Cost of Goods Sold: (COGS)

COGS = Beginning Inventory + Purchases - Closing Inventory

Gross Margin

Gross margin is the difference between what an item cost and for what it sells.

Gross Margin = Total Sales - Cost of Goods

Inventory (Stock in the Store)

Retailer s use the different method of inventory calculation. But general method
112 of calculating inventory is stated below:
Retail Mathematics for
The purpose of calculating the inventory is to know how much stock of
Buying and Merchandising
merchandise is in the Store at a given point of time and to determine the cost
value of the stock. The Retail Store cannot afford to over or under stock of
inventory of any kind. It shall stock only on the basis of meaningful sales
projection, demand estimate, season’s forecast and merchandise planning.

Opening Inventory : It refers to the Retail value of the merchandise in stock at


the beginning of the accounting period. Opening inventory is established by a
physical count of the merchandise and the value is arrived by calculating the
number of units in stock multiplied at the current Retail prices. This will provide
the cost or value of the stock in hand.

Closing Inventory : the number of units of a particular merchandise in stock at


the end of the accounting or stock period.

Check Your Progress A

1. Define Cost.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

2. What is meant by Operating Income.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

3. What do you mean by Operating Expenses?


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

4. Explain the difference between Gross Sales and Net Sales.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

5. Explain the difference between Direct Expenses and Indirect Expenses.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

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Buying and Merchandising
9.3.1 Vendor Negotiations

While negotiating with the Vendors following discounts are taken into
consideration:
 Trade Discount
 Quantity Discount
 Promotional Discount
 Seasonal Discount
 Cash Discount
 Delivery Terms
Let us learn them in detail.

Trade Discount: It is a form of compensation or concession that the Retailer


receives from the Supplier for achieving Retail target for the manufacturer in a
particular season or period. For example, if a retail achieves the sale target of
1000 unit of a particular merchandise (kitchen utensil set) in a month, the trade
discount is given as follows:

List price – Rs. 1,000 per kitchen set. Trade discount is offered at 20% that is Rs.
200 per kitchen set. This discount of 20% is given if a Retailer achieves the target
of selling 1000 units in specified period or a season. Assume that the Retailer
achieves the sales of 1000 units, then his cost of goods is Rs. 800 per kitchen set
as he is offered 20% as a trade discount by the seller.

Quantity Discount: It is a price reduction offered as an inducement to purchase


large quantities of merchandise. Some time, the Retailer is offered on cumulative
quantity discount meaning the discount is extended to all the purchases the
Retailer makes in a particular discount period or season. Remember, the
Cumulative Quantity Discount is a discount offered by the Supplier based on the
total amount purchased over a period of time by the Retailer . However,
cumulative quantity discount is not applicable as many Suppliers practice Non-
Cumulative Quantity Discount method applicable for only one or single purchase.

Promotional Discount: It is a discount provided for the Retailer to perform an


advertising or promotional service for the merchandise by the manufacturer.
Whenever a new product is launched or the suppliers enter into a new market
territory, this type of discount is practiced.

Seasonal Discount: It is a discount provided to Retailer s if they purchase and


114 take delivery of merchandise in the off season. If the manufacturer has more stock
Retail Mathematics for
than the demand beyond a season, then this type of discount is tried to off load the
Buying and Merchandising
excess stock and at the same time, offer benefit to the Retailer .

Cash Discount: It is a discount offered to the Retailer for the prompt payment of
bills (within a specified period of time).

End-of-Season (EOS): allows the Retailer to take a cash discount and the full
payment period to begin on the first day of the following season instead of on the
invoice date.

In addition to these discounts, the delivery terms are also an important area of
Vendor’s negotiation.

9.3.2 In Store Merchandise Loss

There are several losses in the merchandise Store. Let us learn a few losses.
 Shrinkage: It is the loss of merchandise due to theft, loss, damage, or
accounting or book-keeping errors.
 Employee theft: It occurs when employees of the Retailer steal merchandise
where they work.
 Shoplifting: It occurs when customers or individuals disguised as customers
steal merchandise from the Retailer ’s store.
Check Your Progress B

1. Clarify the difference between Contribution Margin and Gross Margin.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

2. What is meant by Inventory?


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

3. Describe briefly different types of Trade Discounts.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
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Buying and Merchandising
4. What do you mean by In-Store Merchandise Losses?
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

5. Clarify the difference between Opening Inventory and Closing Inventory.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

9.4 FINANCIAL WHILE BUYING FOR RETAIL

Open-To-Buy

Open-To-Buy Planning or Planning of Inventory

Good retailing is all about serving the customer well by maintaining the likable
merchandise. Good inventory management is critical to ensuring an adequate
level of stock on hand for the amount of sales being generated. High inventory (or
the wrong type) during certain periods (say lean period, can slow your cash flow
and reduce profits with too many markdowns (which refers to reduction in Retail
price of merchandise). At the same time, Low level of inventory may cause the
Retailer to miss sales opportunities and resulting in losing potential profit. To
help the Retailer to overcome this dilemma, and to stock the right amount of the
right products at the right time, use of Open-To-Buy (OTB) plan is a handy.

Open-To-Buy can be calculated in either units or rupees. OTB is essentially the


balance between the required and available inventory. This includes inventory at
stock, in transit and any pending orders to be delivered.

To make the most of seasonal discounts or volume discounts from the Vendors or
to take advantage of special buys or to add new products, some of the OTB
budget should be held back. This also allows the Retailer to replenish to fast-
moving merchandise and quickly restock the shelves. OTB plan and budget
summary can be maintained for the whole store or department wise. This measure
will give the Retailer an advantage of having good control over the stock and the
investment made thereof.
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Retail Mathematics for
The Open-To-Buy Formula
Buying and Merchandising

Planned Sales
+ Planned Markdowns
+ Planned End of Month Inventory
- Planned Beginning of Month Inventory
----------------------------------------
= Open-To-Buy (Retail)

For example, a Retailer has an inventory level of Rs150,000 on February 1st and
planned Rs152,000 End of Month inventory for February 28th. The planned sales
for the Store are Rs48,000 with Rs750 in planned markdowns. Therefore, the
Retailer has Rs50,750 Open-To-Buy at retail.

Note: Multiply that number by the initial markup to reach the OTB at cost. If our
markup is 40%, then our Open-To-Buy at cost is Rs20,300. Look at Table 9.1
which shows sample table of Six month OTB plan as normally practiced in major
Retailer s.

Table 9.1: Sample of Six (6) Month Plan


6 Month OTB Plan January February March April May June
Beginning of Month 155000 150000 152000 157000 157000 165000
Inventory in Rs
Sales during the 47000 48000 50000 50000 52000 48000
month
Markdowns/ 1000 750 750 1000 1500 1000
shortages
Open To Buy (OTB) 43000 50750 55750 51000 61500 37000
End of Month 150000 152000 157000 157000 165000 153000
Inventory in Rs

There are few methods of calculation that help the Retailer to add or reduce the
margin depends upon the market dynamics. To react fast to the high demand or to
make the stock turn fast or sell off the non-moving or slow moving stock, the
Retailer has to make some decisions either by adding or reducing the margin. Let
us learn the formulas helpful to the Retailer to take decisions suitably.

9.5 FINANCIAL WHILE BUYING FOR MERCHANDISING

Mark up: Markup is the difference between the cost of an item and the retail or
selling price of the item.
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Buying and Merchandising
Markup can be expressed in rupees or as a percentage.

Basic Markup: A percentage added to the cost to get the retail selling price.

Example:

Cost of an Electrical cooker: Rs 2000 (at purchase by the Retailer for selling)
Markup: 20%

Therefore, the Selling or Retail Price of the Electrical cooker is:

(Cost + markup % of the cost)

Rs 2000 + 20% of Rs. 2000 (Rs 400) = Rs 2400/=

Rs. 2400/= is the Selling Price (Retail Price)

In the above case, The Markup % is (20% added) worked out on the cost of the
goods purchased (Rs. 2000).

Please note the most Retailer s calculate the Markup percent on retail selling
price and not at the cost by which they purchased the goods.

9.6 FINANCIAL WHILE PRICING FOR MERCHANDISING

Basic Retail Formula

Cost of Goods (purchase of cost of the goods or an item) + Markup = Retail


Price
Retail Price - Cost of Goods = Markup
Retail Price - Markup = Cost of Goods
Basic Formula to calculate the Markup percent on retail selling price:

Formula:

Retail Price- Cost of goods = Markup

Markup percent on retail selling price = Markup / Retail Price X 100

Step 1: Retail (selling Price of an electrical cooker)= Rs 2400/=

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Retail Mathematics for
Step 2: Cost (at purchase) = Rs 2000
Buying and Merchandising

Step 3: Markup at Retail (or selling price) = Retail Price – Cost


= Rs 2400 – Rs. 2000 = Rs 400

To arrive at Markup percent on retail selling price:

Step 4: Rs 400/ Rs. 2400 X 100 = Rs 16.66% or 16.7%

Markup percent on retail selling price: 16.7%

In simple words;

Markup in Rupees is = Retail Price - Cost

Markup % = Markup in Rupees ÷ Retail Price

Margin %: Margin is the amount of gross profit made when an item is sold. And
if represented in %, then it is called as Margin %

Formula: Margin % = (Retail Price - Cost) ÷ Retail Price

Example:

Retail Price (Selling price) of a Television set = Rs 20000

Cost (at purchase price of a TV) = Rs. 18500

To calculate Margin %; Rs 20000 – Rs 18500/ Rs 20000

= Rs 1500/ Rs. 20000 = 0.075 ( and to convert into %, then multiply 0.075  100)

= 7.5% = Margin %

Markdown: It is the reduction in the Retail (selling) Price of merchandise,


usually take place either within certain number of days after the Seasonal
merchandise received at the Store or at a specific date.

Example:

Markdown % = 10% of the Retail Price


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Buying and Merchandising
Markdown = 10% of the Retail Price that is, 10% of Rs. 20000

Markdown is = Rs 2000 (10% of the Retail Price that is, 10% of Rs. 20000

Reductions

Reductions are the total sum of markdowns, discounts and shortages of all
merchandise in value terms of a particular period. The formula for arriving at
Reductions is as follows:

Reductions = Markdowns + Employee Discounts + Customer Discounts +


Stock Shortages

9.7 RETAIL PRICING STRATEGIES

Retailer has to be sensitive about what the store buys and sells. The selling,
though is a simple transaction, for long term operation with profit, the Retailer
has to retail with some sensible decisions. Following are some of the tips on the
pricing decisions and selling practices.

Sell at Right Price

There are many external and internal environmental factors that influence and
affect profitability and a Retailer 's bottom line. Fixing the right price is a right
step toward achieving that profit. Retailer s are in business to make a profit, but
figuring out what and how to price products may not come easily.
Before one can determine what retail pricing decision to set the right price, it is
essential to know the costs associated with the products. Two key elements in
factoring product cost is the cost of goods and the amount of operating expense.
The cost of goods sold includes the amount paid for the product, plus any
shipping or handling expenses (explained in earlier chapters). The cost of
operating the business, or operating expense, includes overhead, payroll,
marketing and office supplies.

Regardless of the pricing strategy used, the Retail price of the products should
more than cover the cost of obtaining the goods plus the expenses related to
operating and fixed expenses of the business. A Retailer simply cannot afford to
sell any merchandise for a loss.
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Pricing Strategies
Buying and Merchandising

In above paragraph, you have learnt what and how our products actually cost.
Now, we should look at how our competition is pricing their products. Retailer s
will also need to examine their channels of distribution and study what the market
is willing to pay.

The pricing strategies explained here are for our clear understanding and one has
to choose an appropriate or set of pricing techniques depending on the
circumstances.

Markup Pricing: Markup on cost can be calculated by adding a pre-set (often


industry standard) profit margin, or percentage, to the cost of the merchandise.
Markup on Retail is determined by dividing the Rupee markup by Retail price.
Be sure to keep the initial mark-up high enough to cover price reductions,
discounts, shrinkage and other anticipated expenses, and still achieve a
satisfactory profit. Retailer s with a varied product selection can use different
mark-ups on each product line.

Vendor Pricing: Manufacturer suggested Retail price (MSRP) or Prescribed


Price is a common strategy used by the small Retail shops to avoid price wars and
still maintain a decent profit. Some Suppliers suggest minimum Retail prices by
clearly mentioned in the packing. By pricing products with the suggested Retail
prices supplied by the Vendor, the Retailer has no option. Another issue with
using pre-set prices is that it doesn't allow a Retailer to have an advantage over
the competition. However, these methods is not generally applicable in staple
goods categories.

Competitive Pricing: Consumers have many choices and are generally willing
to shop around to receive the best price. Retailer s considering a competitive
pricing strategy will need to provide outstanding customer service to stand above
the competition.

Pricing below competition simply means pricing products lower than the
competitor's price. This strategy works well if the Retailer negotiates the best
prices, reduces costs and develops a marketing strategy to focus on price specials.
This is possible when the Retailer procures directly from the manufacturers
instead of doing so from the distribution channel members.

Prestige Pricing, or Pricing above Competition: This may be considered when


location, exclusivity or unique customer service can justify higher prices. Retailer
121
Buying and Merchandising
s that stock high-quality merchandise that is not available at any other location
may be quite successful in pricing their products above competitors.

Psychological Pricing: Psychological pricing is used when prices are set to a


certain level where the consumer perceives the price to be fair. The most common
method is odd-pricing using figures that end in 5, 7 or 9. It is believed that
consumers tend to round down a price of Rs9.95 to Rs9, rather than Rs10. Pricing
of Bata is normally ends at .99.

Other Pricing Strategies

Keystone Pricing is not a popular one as though it was done earlier. This is
having more than 100 percent margin on the cost of goods sold. Doubling the cost
paid for merchandise was once the rule of pricing products, but very few products
these days allow a Retailer to keystone the product price.

Multiple Pricing or Combo Selling Price is a method which involves selling


more than one product for one price, such as three items for Rs100 or Rs. 200 etc.
This is also an alternate to markdowns or sales events like End of Season sale.
And Retailer s experience the consumers spend larger amounts where the multiple
pricing strategy is used.

Discount Pricing and Price Reductions are another common Retail pricing
technique. Discounting can include coupons, rebates, seasonal prices and other
promotional markdowns.

Merchandise priced below cost is referred to as loss leaders. Although Retailer s


make no profit on these discounted items, the hope is consumers will purchase
other products at higher margins during their visit to the Store.

Check Your Progress C

1. Write the Open-To-Buy formula.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

2. Explain the difference between Markup and Markdown.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
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Retail Mathematics for
3. Define margin%.
Buying and Merchandising
…………………………………………………………………………………
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…………………………………………………………………………………

4. Explain Psychological Pricing.


…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

5. Which of the following statements are True or False?


i) The merchandise returned to stock due to some fault of the goods and the
customer receiving a refund for that is called customer returns.
ii) The salaries of the management staff come under direct expenses.
iii) The retail value of the merchandise in stock at the beginning of the
accounting period is called inventory.
iv) Promotional discount is offered towards the end of the season.
v) Markup% is added on the cost of a product.

9.8 LET US SUM UP

The practice of Retail financial management can be classified broadly into three
main areas, namely financial while buying and inventory planning for Retail,
financial while performing merchandising function for the Retail Stores and
financial while pricing of merchandise. These financial formulas are helpful in
studying the basics of Retail Store’s cost, margin, performance indices and its
constituents.

The major responsibility of a merchandiser in retailing is to make right decisions


with regard to the merchandise, quantity, quality, time, purchase cost, source of
the merchandise so that profit is earned in the business.

In a successful retailing, customer is served well by maintaining the likeable


merchandise. A good inventory management is critical to ensuring an adequate
level of stock on hand for the amount of sales being generated. High inventory
during lean periods can lower the cash flow and reduce profits with too many
markdowns on the one hand, but low level of inventory may cause the Retailer to
miss sales opportunities and losing potential profit on the other hand. To react
fast to the high demand or to make the stock turn fast or sell off the non-moving

123
Buying and Merchandising
or slow moving stock, the Retailer has to make some decisions either by adding
or reducing the margin.

The selling, though is a simple transaction, for long term operation with profit, the
Retailer has to retail with some sensible decisions and follow various pricing
strategies depending upon the situation.

9.9 KEY WORDS

Discount: To deduct or subtract from a cost or price.

Front End Associates: Of or relating to the initial phase of a project.

Inventory Planning: Planning the quantity of inventory and its timing;


coordinating inventory with production or sales needs.

Merchandising Function: The promotion of merchandise sales, as by


coordinating production and marketing and developing advertising, display and
sales strategies.

Margin: Profit from the difference between costs and net sales.

Performance Indices: They are long term considerations.

Retail Mix: It is the tactical marketing frame to create a specific shopping


experience at the point of sales.

Sales Projection: Estimation of the total sales to be made based upon partial sales
results.

Variable Costs: A cost of labour, material or overhead that changes according to


the change in the change in the volume of production units.

9.10 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

C 5. i) True ii) False iii) False iv) False v) True

9.11 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. Giving a suitable example, explain trade discount. How is it different from


the quantity discount.
2. What do you mean by in store merchandise loss? Give a few examples.
3. Explain the concept of open-to-buy. How is it helpful in increasing the profits
of the Retail Store?
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Retail Mathematics for
4. Giving illustrative examples, describe the concepts of mark up and mark down.
Buying and Merchandising
5. Describe briefly different retail price strategies.

Activities

1. Visit a Retail Store and prepare the six months open-to-buy plan for
an assortment category, say jeans.
2. Make a comparative chart for the pricing system of a Retail Store
during the festival season.

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