Assessor Resource

SIRRMRM006
Plan a merchandise product range

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop a commercially viable range of retail merchandise that reflects an established merchandise category financial plan and merchandise strategy.

This unit applies to individuals working in merchandise management related roles in a diverse range of retail sectors and business contexts. They operate with independence and are responsible for making a range of operational business decisions that relate to the management of retail merchandise.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine merchandise-range requirements.

1.1. Access and review category financial plan to determine range requirements.

1.2. Profile target market and identify relevant trends to inform range planning.

1.3. Source input from relevant stakeholders and use feedback to inform range planning.

1.4. Review product performance information and use findings to plan range optimisation and exit strategies.

2. Generate options for merchandise range.

2.1. Generate range options that respond to target market and trend information.

2.2. Confirm commercial viability of range options to maximise profitability and minimise risk.

2.3. Determine assortment planning including core and seasonal, and width, depth and breadth, of the range.

2.4. Identify aged and carry-over stock and action strategy for clearance.

2.5. Determine range option planning for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) requirements.

2.6. Accurately quantify product units to be ordered based on open-to-buy or space capacity method.

2.7. Review merchandise promotional plan and ensure range aligns with planned activity.

2.8. Refine range options through consultation with cross-functional teams and gain approval as required.

2.9. Document finalised range identifying key features, costs and benefits.

3. Plan merchandise range sourcing.

3.1. Determine critical path for range sourcing and distribution.

3.2. Review supplier strategy and determine range sourcing.

3.3. Brief product development teams on new range.

3.4. Identify product branding needs and develop branding strategy accordingly.

4. Purchase merchandise.

4.1. Place merchandise order with supplier and confirm delivery schedules as per agreed supplier arrangements.

4.2. Document and exchange order and invoice information according to organisational procedures.

4.3. Implement and adjust orders as required.

5. Plan range distribution.

5.1. Communicate relevant merchandise information to stores.

5.2. Determine strategy for stock allocation, replenishment and distribution based on individual store requirements.

5.3. Communicate planned merchandise ranges to relevant personnel.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

review a merchandise category financial plan to develop a merchandise range plan that includes:

assortment planning

width, depth and breadth of range

core and seasonal items

option planning

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

exit strategy

the above product range must contain a minimum of 20 items

document the above range plan to ensure it details:

features

costs

benefits

profitability

quantification

critical path

branding

document a plan for range sourcing and distribution:

external supply arrangements

allocation to stores

prepare documentation for the purchase of merchandise.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit:

role and purpose of merchandise range planning

strategies for:

maximising profitability of a product range

determining viability of product range

key aspects of merchandise product range planning:

assortment planning

width, depth and breadth of range

core and seasonal items

option planning

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

exit strategies

internal and external factors impacting product range planning:

feedback from stores

merchandise category buying plan

product performance information

promotional plan

target market profile information and how it is used in constructing the product range

trends in industry, and global and local trends impacting on merchandise product range

critical path

common product exit strategies

exit strategies applied to:

poorly performing products

event and promotional products

short-life-cycle products

factors influencing range allocation:

store grading

climate

target market demographic

competitors

replenishment of core lines

stock turns

supply considerations in the purchasing of merchandise

commonly-used merchandise range planning methods and structures within the retail industry.

Skills must be demonstrated in a retail environment. This can be:

an industry workplace

a simulated industry environment.

Assessment must ensure access to:

organisational documentation:

category financial plan

product range performance information

templates for merchandise range planning

software for merchandise range planning.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors, and:

have worked in the retail industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge within this unit of competency.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Determine merchandise-range requirements.

1.1. Access and review category financial plan to determine range requirements.

1.2. Profile target market and identify relevant trends to inform range planning.

1.3. Source input from relevant stakeholders and use feedback to inform range planning.

1.4. Review product performance information and use findings to plan range optimisation and exit strategies.

2. Generate options for merchandise range.

2.1. Generate range options that respond to target market and trend information.

2.2. Confirm commercial viability of range options to maximise profitability and minimise risk.

2.3. Determine assortment planning including core and seasonal, and width, depth and breadth, of the range.

2.4. Identify aged and carry-over stock and action strategy for clearance.

2.5. Determine range option planning for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) requirements.

2.6. Accurately quantify product units to be ordered based on open-to-buy or space capacity method.

2.7. Review merchandise promotional plan and ensure range aligns with planned activity.

2.8. Refine range options through consultation with cross-functional teams and gain approval as required.

2.9. Document finalised range identifying key features, costs and benefits.

3. Plan merchandise range sourcing.

3.1. Determine critical path for range sourcing and distribution.

3.2. Review supplier strategy and determine range sourcing.

3.3. Brief product development teams on new range.

3.4. Identify product branding needs and develop branding strategy accordingly.

4. Purchase merchandise.

4.1. Place merchandise order with supplier and confirm delivery schedules as per agreed supplier arrangements.

4.2. Document and exchange order and invoice information according to organisational procedures.

4.3. Implement and adjust orders as required.

5. Plan range distribution.

5.1. Communicate relevant merchandise information to stores.

5.2. Determine strategy for stock allocation, replenishment and distribution based on individual store requirements.

5.3. Communicate planned merchandise ranges to relevant personnel.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

review a merchandise category financial plan to develop a merchandise range plan that includes:

assortment planning

width, depth and breadth of range

core and seasonal items

option planning

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

exit strategy

the above product range must contain a minimum of 20 items

document the above range plan to ensure it details:

features

costs

benefits

profitability

quantification

critical path

branding

document a plan for range sourcing and distribution:

external supply arrangements

allocation to stores

prepare documentation for the purchase of merchandise.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit:

role and purpose of merchandise range planning

strategies for:

maximising profitability of a product range

determining viability of product range

key aspects of merchandise product range planning:

assortment planning

width, depth and breadth of range

core and seasonal items

option planning

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)

exit strategies

internal and external factors impacting product range planning:

feedback from stores

merchandise category buying plan

product performance information

promotional plan

target market profile information and how it is used in constructing the product range

trends in industry, and global and local trends impacting on merchandise product range

critical path

common product exit strategies

exit strategies applied to:

poorly performing products

event and promotional products

short-life-cycle products

factors influencing range allocation:

store grading

climate

target market demographic

competitors

replenishment of core lines

stock turns

supply considerations in the purchasing of merchandise

commonly-used merchandise range planning methods and structures within the retail industry.

Skills must be demonstrated in a retail environment. This can be:

an industry workplace

a simulated industry environment.

Assessment must ensure access to:

organisational documentation:

category financial plan

product range performance information

templates for merchandise range planning

software for merchandise range planning.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors, and:

have worked in the retail industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge within this unit of competency.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Access and review category financial plan to determine range requirements. 
Profile target market and identify relevant trends to inform range planning. 
Source input from relevant stakeholders and use feedback to inform range planning. 
Review product performance information and use findings to plan range optimisation and exit strategies. 
Generate range options that respond to target market and trend information. 
Confirm commercial viability of range options to maximise profitability and minimise risk. 
Determine assortment planning including core and seasonal, and width, depth and breadth, of the range. 
Identify aged and carry-over stock and action strategy for clearance. 
Determine range option planning for Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) requirements. 
Accurately quantify product units to be ordered based on open-to-buy or space capacity method. 
Review merchandise promotional plan and ensure range aligns with planned activity. 
Refine range options through consultation with cross-functional teams and gain approval as required. 
Document finalised range identifying key features, costs and benefits. 
Determine critical path for range sourcing and distribution. 
Review supplier strategy and determine range sourcing. 
Brief product development teams on new range. 
Identify product branding needs and develop branding strategy accordingly. 
Place merchandise order with supplier and confirm delivery schedules as per agreed supplier arrangements. 
Document and exchange order and invoice information according to organisational procedures. 
Implement and adjust orders as required. 
Communicate relevant merchandise information to stores. 
Determine strategy for stock allocation, replenishment and distribution based on individual store requirements. 
Communicate planned merchandise ranges to relevant personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIRRMRM006 - Plan a merchandise product range
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Assessment Record Sheet

SIRRMRM006 - Plan a merchandise product range

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