Certified Professional Category Analyst (CPCA) Practice Questions 2025 – All-In-One Guide to Exam Success

The statement about cluster planograms leading to frequent out-of-stocks in high-volume stores or during peak selling days highlights a potential challenge associated with this merchandising strategy. Cluster planograms are designed to group similar products together based on consumer purchasing behaviors, category management principles, or promotional activities. However, in high-traffic environments, this strategy can result in a situation where the demand for certain clustered products outstrips supply, particularly on busy days such as weekends or holidays.

This can happen because cluster planograms often assume a steady demand for the grouped items; if these assumptions do not hold true, it can lead to stock shortages. For example, if a cluster mainly features fast-moving consumer goods and a sudden spike in sales occurs, there may not be enough inventory allocated to meet consumer demand, resulting in out-of-stocks. This situation emphasizes the importance of inventory management and forecasting in conjunction with the use of cluster planograms to ensure that sufficient stock levels are maintained.

The other options present alternative viewpoints on the effectiveness and practicality of cluster planograms. However, they do not accurately capture the nuances and potential drawbacks that can arise in high-demand situations, making the concern about out-of-stocks more relevant in the context of cluster planogram usage.