Data organization
1. Reporting must be carefully considered, as always, when planning the (Department, Category and Item) DCI setup. This may be even more important for the Retail module because there may be more departments and categories than are present in other product mixes. In addition, retail item count is significantly higher so that filtering reports for accurate results is critical.
2. Prior to item creation, retail items need to be separated into two groups: tracking items and matrix items.
a. Tracking items are those retail items that are always the same. Each one on the shelf is the same as the one next to it: a logo mug, a Snickers bar and a Walking Guide to Historical Buildings are all tracking items.
b. Matrix items are those retail items that are the same generically (shirt, shorts, jacket, etc.,) but each one can be different based on size, color or some other attribute. Matrix item setup allows for the creation of one item that contains all attribute combinations that can be ordered, sold and tracked in inventory.
Note: Matrix item setup does not provide for different prices based on (for example) different sizes.
3. After determining what items are matrix items, list the attributes that are to be combined in pairs to create the necessary matrix templates: size, color, style, brand, etc.
4. Gather information on vendors for entry into the system. This includes name, contact, address, phone and other information you may wish to keep in user-defined fields.
5. Determine retail warehousing and/or selling locations. You may receive and hold inventory at a central location for periodic transfer to selling locations. The Retail module provides the ability to report on the inventory at each of these locations and to transfer inventory among them. You may also have a single location where all of your inventory is warehoused and from where it is sold.
6. If you anticipate making price and/or quantity adjustments, create a list of adjustment types for later entry. Adjustment types might include removing an item from inventory for a marketing promo or adjusting a cost price due to a vendor change.
7. The Retail module provides for the creation of sub-classes (women, children and youth) and seasons (spring, fall) to further organize and filter retail items. These can be listed now for later entry. Keep in mind that these designations are attached to the item when the item is created, so if sub-classes and seasons are part of your retail plan, set them up before entering items.