Line Review

Term from Merchandising industry explained for recruiters

A Line Review is an important business meeting where retail buyers and merchandisers evaluate products or clothing lines from suppliers. During these meetings, they look at upcoming collections, decide which items to stock in stores, set prices, and plan how much to order. Think of it like a product showcase where decisions are made about what will appear on store shelves in the next season. This process helps stores make sure they're choosing the right products that will sell well and match what their customers want.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted quarterly Line Review meetings with major suppliers resulting in 25% sales increase

Led Line Reviews for women's apparel category, managing $5M buying budget

Prepared and presented Line Review analysis for seasonal collections

Organized cross-functional Line Review sessions with vendors and internal teams

Typical job title: "Retail Buyers and Merchandisers"

Also try searching for:

Retail Buyer Category Manager Merchandise Manager Product Manager Assortment Planner Merchandising Director Range Manager

Where to Find Retail Buyers and Merchandisers

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage a line review when there's conflict between buying and merchandising teams about product selection?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss their leadership approach in balancing different viewpoints, using data to guide decisions, and maintaining positive relationships while achieving business goals.

Q: Tell me about a time when you had to make significant changes to your product assortment based on market trends. How did you handle it?

Expected Answer: Look for examples of strategic thinking, market analysis skills, and the ability to make tough decisions while considering financial impact and team management.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you prepare for a line review meeting with suppliers?

Expected Answer: Candidate should mention analyzing sales data, preparing performance reports, researching market trends, and creating a structured agenda for the meeting.

Q: What factors do you consider when deciding to add or remove products from your assortment?

Expected Answer: Should discuss sales performance, profit margins, customer feedback, market trends, and competitive analysis.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What information would you gather to evaluate product performance for a line review?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic metrics like sales numbers, inventory levels, customer feedback, and competitive pricing.

Q: How would you organize and present product information during a line review?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic presentation skills, use of spreadsheets, and ability to summarize key information clearly.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of retail metrics
  • Product analysis and reporting
  • Meeting preparation and support
  • Basic Excel and presentation skills

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Vendor relationship management
  • Assortment planning
  • Sales and margin analysis
  • Negotiation skills

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic category management
  • Team leadership
  • Budget management
  • Market trend analysis and forecasting

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Lack of analytical skills or attention to detail
  • Poor communication abilities
  • No experience with retail metrics or KPIs
  • Unable to explain basic buying or merchandising concepts
  • No understanding of seasonal planning