Category mix pages that busy executives will finish reading

A data visualization page for category mix should answer three questions: which categories grew, which diluted margin, and which promotions changed the mix. Everything else belongs in an appendix or a follow-up session with merchandising.

We prefer a ranked bar for contribution to sales change, paired with a simple margin delta for the same categories. Dual-axis charts that try to show volume, value, and margin at once rarely survive a board conversation.

Use store-cluster filters only when leadership already thinks in clusters. For a first monthly pack, start with chain-wide category views and add cluster cuts after the definitions settle.

Caption every chart with one sentence that states the decision implication. Without that sentence, the page becomes decoration rather than a reporting tool for retail leadership.

Back to field notes · Request a reporting brief