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Strategies to reduce product proliferation

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  • Berman, Barry

Abstract

Major problems associated with product proliferation include higher production, inventory, and record-keeping costs; increased expenses associated with trade promotions and slotting fees; added consumer confusion and stress; and increased susceptibility to stockouts. This article describes how a firm can limit product proliferation without incurring reduced sales or lowering consumer loyalty. An effective product proliferation reduction program needs to be based on several principles: resisting the temptation of asking consumers if a greater assortment is required; classifying goods into consumer behavior-based tiers; using interfunctional product pruning teams; practicing mass customization, where appropriate; placing absolute limits on product choice; and implementing effective strategies for product pruning.

Suggested Citation

  • Berman, Barry, 2011. "Strategies to reduce product proliferation," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 54(6), pages 551-561.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:54:y:2011:i:6:p:551-561
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2011.07.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dertwinkel-Kalt, Markus & Wey, Christian, 2020. "Multi-product bargaining, bundling, and buyer power," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    2. Kelting, Katie & Berry, Christopher & van Horen, Femke, 2019. "The presence of copycat private labels in a product set increases consumers' choice ease when shopping with an abstract mindset," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 264-274.
    3. Yanhui Zhao & Yufei Zhang & Joyce (Feng) Wang & Wyatt A. Schrock & Roger J. Calantone, 2020. "Brand relevance and the effects of product proliferation across product categories," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(6), pages 1192-1210, November.
    4. Leff Bonney & Christopher R. Plouffe & Michael Brady, 2016. "Investigations of sales representatives’ valuation of options," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 135-150, March.
    5. Tomohiko Sakao & Tatsunori Hara & Ryo Fukushima, 2020. "Using Product/Service-System Family Design for Efficient Customization with Lean Principles: Model, Method, and Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    6. Wei‐Lin Wang & Demetrios Vakratsas, 2021. "The Dual Impact of Product Line Length on Consumer Choice," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(9), pages 3054-3072, September.

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