Patent ID: 8370185

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of planning an assortment, comprising: creating, via a computer, a plurality of assortment versions and a plurality of store definitions that include a plurality of assortment dimensions including a price level type, a capacity type and a merchandise grouping; wherein the price level type has been assigned to designate a store price level as one of high-priced, mid-priced, low-priced or flagship store, wherein the capacity type has been assigned to designate a store capacity as one of extra small, small, medium, large or extra large, wherein the merchandise grouping has been assigned to classify a store based on at least one of geography, climactic zone, demographic or retail concept; assigning, using a processor, a first article to a first assortment version of the plurality of assortment versions; assigning, using the processor, a first validity period to the first assortment version of the plurality of assortment versions which defines a first time period during which the first article is in the assortment via the first assortment version; and assigning, using the processor, a first plurality of stores to the assortment by matching the price level type, the capacity type and the merchandise grouping dimensions of the first assortment version of the plurality of assortment versions with the plurality of store definitions; assigning, using the processor, a store assignment time period for each store in the first and second plurality of stores during which the assignment of the each store in the first and second plurality of stores to the assortment is active.