high and high as represented by numerals 1 through 5 respectively the merchandising classification comprises five classes namely display sale rather display sale equivocal rather counseling sale and counseling sale as represented by numerals of 1 through 5 respectively the above product characteristics data are determined at the stage of product planning and as shown by entries in the column of product x in fig2 the above mentioned numerals are entered and stored for respective classes of each classification thus product x corresponds to product classification 1 foundation cosmetic price classification 2 medium low consumer age classification 5 high and merchandising classification 2 rather display sale stated differently product x is u201c a foundation cosmetic for consumers of advanced high age who spend in medium to low price goods which is merchandised by a method of sale which is rather close to display sale u201d fig4 a through 4e are views showing examples of sample retail outlet characteristics data table 52 here for each of sample outlets s 1 s 2 and s 3 data on the constitution and quantities of purchases during the past year relative to those of all retail outlets are entered and stored thus fig4 a is a data table 52 a showing the relative sale for each of sample outlets s 1 s 2 s 3 fig4.