18 September 2025

Catalogue pair hygiene before the next test

Stale recommendation pairs quietly flatten lift — a short catalogue pass often pays for itself before instrumentation changes.

Person reviewing documents and category lists

Instrumentation improvements will not rescue a list of pairs that no longer match the assortment. Before commissioning another test window, walk the top fifty recommendation pairs with a merchandiser who knows what is about to be delisted.

Signals we look for in a catalogue review:

  • Pairs pointing at out-of-stock or end-of-life SKUs
  • Accessories priced above the primary line without a gift context
  • Duplicate rules firing on the same placement

Cleaning ten pairs can move attach more than redesigning the tile chrome. It is unglamorous work — and it shows up clearly in the next lift study.