Track and analyze merchandise category performance across key metrics including sales, margins, and inventory health to optimize assortment, pricing, and inventory management decisions.
Report Objective
Provide a comprehensive monthly review of category performance across the department store, focusing on sales trends, profitability, and inventory efficiency to guide merchandise planning and category management decisions.
Sales and Margin Performance
Bar chart showing revenue and margin performance by category, with year-over-year comparison
Questions to Consider:
Which categories are showing the strongest/weakest sales growth?
How are margins trending across categories?
What is driving performance changes in key categories?
Which categories are driving overall department store growth?
How do sales trends align with margin performance?
What is the impact of promotional activity on category revenue?
Which categories maintain the healthiest margins?
How do margins compare to historical averages?
What is the relationship between margin and turnover?
Inventory Health
Line chart tracking inventory turns and weeks of supply
Questions to Consider:
Which categories have healthy/concerning inventory levels?
How is aged inventory impacting category performance?
Are markdown levels appropriate for current inventory position?
Which categories show the most efficient inventory management?
How do turns compare to industry benchmarks?
What seasonal patterns affect inventory efficiency?
Which categories require immediate inventory action?
How does aged inventory impact overall health?
What is the relationship between supply and markdowns?
Category Growth Trends
Table showing key performance metrics by category
Questions to Consider:
What are the emerging category trends?
How do current results compare to plan?
Which categories require immediate attention?
category
revenue
gross_margin_percent
inventory_turns
yoy_growth
report_date
Women's Wear
$850,000
42.0%
6.0
5.0%
Jan 2024
Men's Wear
$798,084
41.6%
6.0
3.9%
Jan 2024
Home Goods
$755,667
41.6%
6.2
3.8%
Jan 2024
Accessories
$777,432
40.6%
6.2
5.0%
Jan 2024
Women's Wear
$750,500
39.4%
6.4
5.2%
Jan 2024
Men's Wear
$733,634
40.3%
6.6
4.0%
Jan 2024
Home Goods
$765,526
41.0%
6.6
4.0%
Jan 2024
Accessories
$842,989
39.8%
6.4
4.9%
Jan 2024
Women's Wear
$865,236
39.5%
6.3
5.4%
Jan 2024
Men's Wear
$848,663
38.8%
6.3
5.1%
Jan 2024
Which categories need the most attention?
What are the key drivers of category performance?
How do categories compare across multiple metrics?
Focus Areas for Action
Review assortment plans for underperforming categories
Develop markdown strategies for categories with high aged inventory
Analyze successful category strategies for potential application elsewhere
Assess inventory investment levels against sales performance