Why Retailers Are Cutting Back on Product Choices

From Dollar General to Under Armour, retailers are culling assortments to get back to healthy growth, or at least stabilize their business. For brands, excess inventory usually leads to discounting, which in turn hurts profitability. For box stores, slicing merchandise is more of a defensive play that allows for better curation. This video explores why some retailers are giving consumers less choice. The shift marks a departure from the long-held strategy of offering endless variety to attract shoppers. Instead, retailers are focusing on fewer, more carefully selected items that sell better and reduce the need for markdowns. The move is partly a response to changing consumer behavior and supply chain pressures, and partly a recognition that too much choice can overwhelm shoppers and dilute brand identity. Produced by Ryan Baker, edited by Darren Geeter, with camera by Natalie Rice and animation, the video breaks down the economics behind assortment reduction. It explains how retailers aim to improve inventory turnover, boost margins and create a more curated shopping experience. While the strategy carries risks, many see it as a necessary correction after years of overexpansion.