MasterZoo

MasterZoo is one of the largest pet retail chains in Ukraine, actively scaling and expanding its retail network nationwide. The company operates a broad assortment ranging from pet food and treats to accessories, hygiene products, and seasonal items. The scale of the network, high assortment dynamics, and differences between stores require a centralized yet flexible approach to managing assortment matrices, store clustering, and SKU rotation at the individual store level.

200+

stores

6,000+

active SKUs

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Background and Challenges

Assortment management was handled through accounting systems and ERP, while SKU-related decisions were primarily based on sales and turnover metrics—an approach that does not scale effectively.

As the number of stores grew, managing individual assortment matrices for different locations became increasingly complex without a significant increase in manual effort.

SKU rotation was performed manually and lacked a systematic approach, resulting in slow assortment changes and higher operational workload for the team.

Store clustering was rigid and slow to adapt, limiting the ability to quickly account for differences in demand and store-specific characteristics.

The absence of centralized assortment management made network expansion increasingly difficult, as each stage of growth directly increased operational complexity.

As a result, the core challenge shifted from isolated operational issues to a loss of controllability, scalability, and predictability in assortment decision-making across a large retail network.

Project Objectives

To establish centralized yet flexible assortment management across the entire network, taking into account store formats and clusters.

To reduce the number of manual operations performed by category managers during the creation, updating, and rotation of assortment matrices.

To introduce a unified logic for SKU management, including assortment and rotation planning across different time periods.

To prepare assortment management processes for network scaling without increasing operational workload.

Why ABM Retail Platform

MasterZoo selected ABM Retail Platform as a single platform for managing assortment and inventory following a competitive tender

One of the key advantages was a unified technical specification that enabled assortment management and replenishment to be built as a single, continuous process—without system fragmentation or manual synchronization.

This approach clearly separates areas of responsibility while maintaining a unified management logic across the entire network. Assortment decisions are executed without manual intervention and remain fully controllable even as the business scales.

Within this framework:

ABM Assortment is responsible for building assortment matrices, managing store clusters, and controlling SKU rotation.
ABM Inventory ensures execution of these decisions by automatically generating orders based on assortment matrices and replenishment parameters.

Implementation Approach

The implementation of ABM Retail Platform for MasterZoo was not merely the launch of a new IT solution, but a phased transformation of the assortment management operating model. The project was designed to change how assortment decisions are made without disrupting ongoing operations, while maintaining full control over calculations and processes at every stage.

Assortment structuring (February 2024)

The implementation began with assortment structuring and the development of a category model in ABM Assortment.

Parallel operations in two systems (February – August 2024)

The team worked simultaneously in the existing system and in ABM Assortment to validate calculation logic.

Data exchange with the ABM Retail Platform (September 2024)

Data exchange between MasterZoo and the ABM Retail Platform was configured, including assortment matrices and order data.

Product attributes and a new clustering model (September – December 2024)

Product attributes were assigned, and a new store clustering model was created.

Full transition to the ABM Retail Platform (January – June 2025)

Following validation of calculations and system adaptation to category-specific requirements, MasterZoo fully transitioned to the ABM Retail Platform as the primary tool for assortment and order management.

Business Results

Key Outcomes

Implementing ABM Assortment as part of the ABM Retail Platform enabled MasterZoo to move from manual assortment management to a controlled, scalable model with a clear logic for matrices and SKU rotation. The primary impact was achieved through automation of core assortment processes and strengthened control at the network level.

20–25 %

fewer out-of-matrix SKUs

≈50 %

reduction in labor effort for matrix operations

2.5×

faster assortment matrix updates

Qualitative Improvements in Assortment Management

A 20–25% reduction in out-of-matrix SKUs was achieved through controlled SKU rotation and stricter management of assortment matrices across the network.
Labor effort was reduced by approximately 50% thanks to automation of matrix-related operations and a shift to a cluster-based assortment management model.
Assortment matrix updates now occur 2.5 times faster, enabling quicker SKU launches, rotations, and category changes—where multiple manual steps were previously required, only a few clicks are now needed.
Assortment management has become centralized yet flexible, allowing teams to work with clusters and individual stores without increasing structural complexity.
Category managers now have a single point of decision-making based on analytics and reports within ABM Assortment, improving both the speed and quality of management decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the chain have to pause operations during the transition?

No. In the first stage the team worked in the existing system and in ABM Assortment at the same time, validating the calculation logic before switching over. At MasterZoo the project ran about 16 months, and the chain operated as usual throughout.

How long does an implementation take for a chain of this size?

At MasterZoo it took 16 months for a network of 200+ stores and 6,000+ active SKUs. The project ran in three stages: assortment structuring, data exchange setup with clustering, and the full transition to the system.

Does the solution suit a chain with different store formats?

Yes. The project includes a store clustering model: stores are grouped by similar characteristics and the matrix is calculated per cluster rather than manually per location. An individual store inside a cluster can still be managed on its own.

What is required from the client's team during the rollout?

Category managers and IT are involved at the data exchange stage, plus time for parallel work in two systems while calculations are validated. After the switch, managers work in one tool instead of several.

Client Quote

Overall, our experience working with ABM Cloud has been positive. The project team demonstrated a high level of engagement, expertise, and responsibility throughout every stage of the transition from our previous system to ABM Retail Platform. Collaboration was constructive and transparent: all questions were addressed promptly, and decisions were made with our business priorities in mind. We particularly value the team’s systematic approach and focus on results rather than formal task execution

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