What term describes the breadth of merchandise categories offered by a retailer?

The term that describes the breadth of merchandise categories offered by a retailer is "Variety." In retail, variety refers to the number of different product lines or categories available in a store. It indicates how diverse the merchandise is, encompassing the overall range of types of products a retailer chooses to carry.

For instance, a retail store with a wide variety can include several categories such as clothing, electronics, home goods, and beauty products, showcasing its ability to cater to different customer needs and preferences. The variety is crucial for attracting a broader customer base and encouraging cross-shopping among consumers.

Other terms, like "assortment" and "selection," pertain to the more specific aspects of merchandise offered, such as the different types of merchandise within a particular category or the overall choice available to customers, but they do not encapsulate the concept of breadth across categories in the same way that variety does. Thus, "variety" is the most appropriate term to describe this concept in retail merchandising.