Which of the following is NOT a component of a category plan?

In the context of category management, a category plan typically consists of several key components, including assessment, strategies, and tactics. Each of these plays a crucial role in effectively managing a category to meet consumer needs and drive business objectives.

Assessment involves analyzing the current state of the category, including market trends, consumer behavior, competition, and performance metrics. This component is essential for understanding opportunities and challenges within the category.

Strategies are the high-level approaches or goals that guide how the category will be managed. They outline the vision and long-term objectives, helping to steer decision-making throughout the planning process.

Tactics refer to the specific actions or activities that will be undertaken to implement the strategies. They are the practical applications of the strategies designed to achieve the set goals and typically include specific merchandising, pricing, promotion, and distribution activities.

Implementation, while it is a critical part of the overall category management process, is not typically classified as a fundamental component of the category plan itself. Rather, it represents the execution phase where the strategies and tactics outlined in the plan are put into action. Thus, the inclusion of implementation as a distinct component may not accurately reflect the standard framework of a category plan, making it the correct choice for the question.