Method, apparatus and system for merchandising related applications

A computer implemented method for use with a merchandising system comprising the steps of:

• providing product information for products;
• creating hierarchies for the products;
• assigning distribution channels through which the products will be sold;
• establishing different time horizons for the sale of the products;
• and
• producing a line list based on the product information, hierarchies, distribution channels and time horizons.

An apparatus for creating product line lists comprising:

• a database having stored therein product data for a plurality of products;
• a merchandising system coupled to said database, said merchandising system including at least one or more of the following:
• a product editor for providing product information for products,
• a classification editor for assigning hierarchies for the products,
• a distribution channel editor means to assign distribution channels through which the products will be sold, and
• a horizon editor to establish different time horizons for the sale of the products;
• and
• a line editor to link the product, classification, distribution and horizon editors together.

A computer-readable medium having computer readable code that causes a computer system to create product line builds, wherein the code executes the steps of:

• providing product information for products;
• creating hierarchies for the products;
• assigning distribution channels through which the products will be sold;
• establishing different time horizons for the sale of the products;
• and
• creating line builds using one or more of the following:
• the product information, hierarchies, distribution channels and time horizons.