DECA Retail Merchandising Practice Exam

Which of the following types of retailers are characterized by average variety and deep but varying assortment?

1. Specialty shops

2. Off-price stores

3. Online marketplaces

4. Convenience stores

The correct answer is: Off-price stores

The correct answer is off-price stores, which are known for offering a moderate variety of products and a deep assortment within their categories. Off-price retailers typically stock brand-name goods at discounted prices, allowing them to carry a wide range of items but with fewer choices for each item compared to specialty shops. These retailers often acquire their merchandise through closeouts, overruns, or canceled orders, which can lead to varying assortments over time. This means customers might find excellent deals on a diverse selection of products, but the availability can differ from one visit to another. Specialty shops, on the other hand, focus on a narrow market segment and provide a deep assortment of specific product categories, but they do not offer average variety; their selections are specialized. Online marketplaces generally provide a wide variety of products, but their assortments can be shallow for individual sellers. Convenience stores offer a limited variety of merchandise with a focus on quickly accessible essentials, which do not align with the characteristic of deep but varying assortments. Thus, the defining features of off-price stores make them the correct choice for this question.