Using Computer Simulation to Examine Financial Productivity of Merchandise Assortments

Sourcing Simulator is specialized form of software capable of providing great insight into merchandising decision making. It is relatively easy to learn and operate by reading the help menus, experimenting with inputs, and critically analyzing outputs. 1 see that it has great potential in a training program for new merchandisers to help them absorb the complexity of the numbers they must effectively use. The Sourcing Simulator, Version 1 that accompanies my textbook, Merchandising: Theory Principles, and Practice, 2nd ed. is the least complex version available. Two versions are available from [TC]2 - Retail version and The Retail/ Manufacturing version. The Retail Version is very similar to the Version 1. The Retail/ Manufacturing Version includes analysis of processes and costs in the manufacturing process as well as the merchandise planning component that we have discussed here. Sourcing Simulator is developed at North Carolina State University by Dr. Russ King, and available from Textile Clothing Technology Corporation $[TC]^2$, Cary, North Carolina.