Understanding
the MSSI and WSSI Reports

The MSSI (Monthly Sales, Stock, and Intake) and WSSI (Weekly Sales, Stock, and Intake) reports are essential tools used by Merchandise Planners to track in-season sales and stock positions. When used correctly, these reports provide critical insights that help shape buying, selling, and markdown strategies.

What is MSSI & WSSI?

MSSI : Monthly Sales, Stock, and Intake Report

WSSI : Weekly Sales, Stock, and Intake Report

Both reports provide detailed metrics on retails sales performance (in both dollar and unit terms) as well as current inventory levels, receipts, and sell-through rates. Additional key performance indicators (KPIs) typically included are:

In many cases, these reports also include a breakdown of full-price versus discounted or markdown sales, along with the associated inventory positions.

Budgeting and Performance Tracking

The MSSI and WSSI are generally set up with planned budgets for sales, inventory, discounts, and margins.

As the trading period progresses, actual results are updated in the reports to allow comparisons against the original budgets and previous periods (e.g., last year). This enables planners not only to review past performance but also to understand variances and trends in real time.

Strategic Use

Once these reports are established, planners can interact with them by:

Adjusting short-term sales forecasts

Modifying inventory intake

Observing the impact of changes on projected closing stock levels

Reassessing Open-to-Buy (OTB) values

This functionality supports more accurate purchasing decisions and proactive planning.

Scenario Planning

A key feature of a robust MSSI/WSSI tool is the ability to build and compare multiple scenarios. This allows retail planners and decision-makers to evaluate various outcomes before committing to critical business strategies.

Visibility and Alignment

MSSI and WSSI reports should be accessible to all relevant executives and stakeholders. They should align with the organizational hierarchy of products and channels, accurately reflecting how your retail business operates.

tRS Planner Automating MSSI and WSSI

The Retail Score Planner application streamlines the creation and management of MSSI and WSSI reports, offering the following features:

Customizable page views
Defined product and/or location hierarchies
Side-by-side comparisons to budgets and last year (LY)
Interactive pages for live edits to budgets and forecasts
Automated recalculation of Closing Stock on Hand (CSOH) and Open-to-Buy (OTB)
Scenario-building functionality
A single source of truth, accessible to executive stakeholders

What Retailers Say About tRS

Matt Jensen

CEO of MJ Bale

We have utilised the resources of the Retail Score since their inception. All departments within the business benefit through tRS’ enabling accessibility to essential business metrics, when and where it has been required – from desktop to mobile, through emails and portals. tRS plays a critical role in our day to day operations.

Katie Metcalf

Head of Planning at Camilla

Working with tRS for the last 5 years has provided Camilla with a single source of truth. The ease and ability to access data has ensured efficiency across the business including being able to link product sales and customer sales all in one simple data point. The retail portal has also empowered all key stake holders in our team to further improve the business performance.

Brad Roach

General Manager of Academy Brand

Since partnering with TRS, Academy Brand has been able to take reporting and analysis of data across all channels of our business to another level. The ease of access to data and ability to customise reports in pivot tables has supported our strategy and growth plans by allowing us to make strategic decisions using clear business intelligence. The retail portal has also empowered all key stake holders in our team to further improve the business performance.

Bassike

tRS Connect Testimonial

Since implementing tRS Connect, we have streamlined communications and operations between head office and store allowing for increased productivity, management of tasks and a clear assessment of stock. The retail portal has also empowered all key stake holders in our team to further improve the business performance.

Joesphine Barbaro

CFO of APG & Co

As trusted custodians of our data, The Retail Score has partnered with APG&Co for over three years. We trust them with our data and leverage the platform they have built across our entire organisation.

Talia Turton

Head of Merchandise & Planning at Bassike

tRS has equipped bassike with a centralised location for our core reporting. The ease and accessibility of the data through the pivots provides real time analysis and has enabled us to take a holistic approach to business strategy and core KPIs. The extension of the data into the tRS Portal allows the broader team to visualise and interpret these insights. The retail portal has also empowered all key stake holders in our team to further improve the business performance.

Katie Metcalf

Head of Planning at Camilla

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