Welcome to another episode of The Ecommerce Braintrust podcast hosted by Acadia’s Head of Retail Marketplaces Services Julie Spear and Director of Retail Operations, Jordan Ripley. Today, we’re excited to revisit the important topic of catalog organization with seasoned expert and Operations Manager, Zlatana Pejovoc. A couple of years back, we released an episode focused on managing large apparel catalogs, which is definitely worth a listen if you’re dealing with catalog challenges.  In this episode, however, we’re taking a fresh, holistic look at variations and catalog organization to explore recent developments, current best practices, and the future of assortment strategy. Make sure you tune in to find out more!   KEY TAKEAWAYS In this episode, Julie, Jordan, and Zlatana discuss: Evolution of Catalog Variations Increased rigidity and standards in Amazon's process. Introduction of AVs (Automated Variations) in Vendor Central. Shift towards a more self-serve model in recent years. Positive impact on customer experience. Increased complexity but also better flexibility for sellers. Challenges in Catalog Organization: Balancing self-serve options and stricter standards. Better user experience versus operational complexity for brands. Case Studies and Examples: Practical examples from apparel brands and other categories. Best Practices for Variation Strategy: Importance of Grouping Similar Products Up to 30% revenue increase from well-executed variation strategies. Boosting visibility and conversion rates for new products. Common Mistakes and Pitfalls: Incorrect grouping leading to suspended listings. Variating different product types inappropriately. Future of Catalog Management Predictions and Wishes: User-friendly flat files and better support services. Potential AI-driven suggestions for simplifying the variation process.