Read the overview below and complete the activities that follow. BuyCostumes.com is the largest online retailer of Halloween costumes and accessories. BuyCostumes.com appeals to consumers of all ages with over 15,000 different costume options, including scary, historical, movie characters and occupational costumes. In addition to Halloween costumes they offer costumes for other occasions, from birthday parties to Mardi Gras celebrations. BuyCostumes.com faces a unique merchandising and operations challenge because over 50% of its annual business is done during the 6-week period before Halloween. This video discusses the steps that BuyCostumes.com takes to ensure year-round productivity and efficiency. Merchandise management is the process by which a retailer attempts to offer the right quantity of merchandise in the right place at the right time and meet the company's financial goals. Buyers need to anticipate what customers will want to buy and understand market trends. Buyers must also continually analyze sales data and make appropriate adjustments in prices and inventory levels. The steps in the merchandise management process include: forecasting sales, formulating an assortment plan, determining the appropriate inventory levels, developing a merchandise management plan, allocating merchandise to stores, and monitoring performance. BuyCostumes.com starts planning for the busy season in January. Company history, industry trends, and economic forecasts are included to develop BuyCostumes.com's Multiple Choice O O sales transitions. sales relationships. sales techniques. sales projections. Rapid growth and a unique business plan presents a(n). Multiple Choice O O operational directional translational transactional challenge for BuyCostumes.com. The purchasing department uses sales projections to estimate. Multiple Choice O distribution. functional inventory placement. needs.