One of the most common questions we receive at M1 Customer Support is:
"Do you have a sample class structure I can use as a starting point?"
Historically, we have provided examples from recent client structures, but these are often tailored to specific businesses and may not reflect the full range of possibilities. To streamline this process, we are introducing the Management One Master Class Listing—a standardized, comprehensive class structure that can be easily adapted across different retail environments.
Note: The image below is for reference only; the official M1 Class Mapping Whiteboard contains the complete and up-to-date master class listing.
What Are M1 Master Classes?
These standardized class names, organized by department, represent best practices for categorizing merchandise. The list is designed to evolve over time, and we welcome feedback to improve its usefulness.
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Larger operations may use these as parent classes.
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Smaller stores can adopt them as child classes for more specific tracking.
The right approach depends on factors like client needs, sales volume, and the specific retail vertical.
Guidelines for Using Master Classes
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Tailor the structure to fit the client's sales volume.
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For example, a small women’s boutique may not need "Tee Shirt" as a parent class. In this case, using "Tops" for the parent class is acceptable, as long as child classes provide additional detail.
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Generic parent classes without child classes are not permitted.
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For example, a class named simply "Apparel" without further breakdown will not be approved.
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Use master class names whenever possible.
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While you are free to create custom category and class names, we encourage you to consult the M1 Master Class Listing for consistency and accuracy.
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Why Standardization Matters
Retail ORBIT® is evolving rapidly, and with the foundation laid by Retail ORBIT V2, we are preparing to deliver trend-level insights across our entire client network. Accurate comparison of performance requires consistent classification across all clients.
By adopting M1 Master Classes, you help facilitate a scalable, data-driven approach to merchandise planning. This standardization allows us to analyze trends accurately and provide actionable insights based on network-wide data.
Introducing the M1 Class Mapping Whiteboard
The Class Mapping Whiteboard is a new Excel workbook designed to make mapping class structures simple and intuitive.
Download and open the workbook before proceeding with class mapping.
How to Use the Class Mapping Whiteboard
1. Input POS Data:
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Paste your POS data into the whiteboard.
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Map department, class, and child class names to the relevant columns on the left.
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Include revenue to ensure accurate classification.
2. Use Dropdown Menus for Faster Mapping:
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Select class names from the dropdown menus linked to the M1 Master Class Listing.
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Custom entries are allowed, but use master classes where possible.
3. Automated Class Population:
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When you select an M1 Category, relevant class and child class names will automatically populate.
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If an appropriate master class exists, we encourage you to use it.
4. Entering Custom Names:
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You may enter your own category, class, and child class names if no suitable master class exists.
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You will receive a prompt confirming the custom entry.
Best Practices for Class Mapping
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Use the Master Class Listing whenever possible to ensure consistency across clients.
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Map classes logically based on the client’s product mix and sales volume.
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Review with the client to confirm accuracy before finalizing the structure.
By adopting these master classes and utilizing the Class Mapping Whiteboard, you contribute to the next generation of data-driven retail planning, enabling us to provide deeper insights and more accurate forecasts across the entire Management One network.
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