BJ's Wholesale Club, Lululemon trim product assortments to boost sales
Summary
Retailers such as Dollar General, Under Armour, BJ's Wholesale Club, and Lululemon are trimming their product assortments in response to changing consumer behavior and economic pressures, with shoppers cutting back on discretionary spending due to high gas and food prices. As part of a strategic effort to stabilize their operations and improve profitability, these companies are reducing the number of items they offer, or stock keeping units (SKUs), to streamline inventory and enhance brand value. For example, Dollar General has cut 1,500 SKUs, while Under Armour has announced plans to reduce its SKUs by an additional 25%, emphasizing a focus on fewer, higher-purpose products. Despite these reductions, retail experts note that eliminating choices carries risks, including the potential loss of customers to competitors that offer eliminated products.