What type of products are considered softlines for a mass merchandiser
(Wal Mart, Target).

Hello bfad-ga,  
 
Thank you for your question.


Softlines include men's, women's and children's clothing, footwear,
accessories and jewelry.


From the National Association for Retail Marketing Services (Narms)
standard definitions of terminology:

Softlines:
Lines of product, commonly considered ready to wear (clothing),
cosmetics, jewelry, etc.

Hardlines:
Lines of product, commonly considered tools, automotive, housewares,
etc.

The National Association for Retail Marketing Services
http://www.narms.com/FinalSta.pdf



Examples:

From back-to-school through December 2003, the new, innovative Kim
Possible merchandise will be exclusive to Wal-Mart stores in North
America. Kim Possible merchandise includes:

Disney Softlines -- sportswear, sleepwear, daywear, accessories.
Disney Hardlines -- stationery, lunchboxes, food products, room decor.

http://money.cnn.com/services/tickerheadlines/prn/latu036.P1.06102003063430.09885.htm


From Yahoo Finance:

Family Dollar Stores, Inc. operates self-service retail discount
stores. The stores offer a variety of hardlines and softlines
merchandise.

“Hardlines merchandise includes primarily household chemical and paper
products, candy, snack and other food, health and beauty aids,
electronics, housewares and giftware, toys, stationery and school
supplies, seasonal goods, hardware and automotive supplies.”

“Softlines merchandise includes men's, women's, boys', girls' and
infants' clothing, shoes, and domestic items such as blankets, sheets
and towels.”

Source: Yahoo Finance
http://biz.yahoo.com/p/f/fdo.html

“Pamida Holdings Corporation operates 146 mass merchandise retail
business located in 146 small towns through its wholly owned
subsidiary.”

“The company's two basic merchandise divisions are softlines; which
include men's, women's and children's clothing, footwear, accessories
and jewelery and hardlines; which includes health and beauty aids,
automotive accessories, housewares, cleaning supplies, hardware, toys
and stationery.”
http://www.business.com/directory/retail_and_consumer_services/conglomerates/discount_stores/pamida_holdings_corporation/profile/


Target softlines include clothing and shoes.

“In one year, Target Stores eliminated approximately 1.5 million
pounds of waste and saved an estimated $4.5 million in labor costs by
initiating a packaging reduction program for its "softlines"
merchandise (which includes clothing and shoes).”
http://www.nycwasteless.com/gov-bus/FAQ/FAQ_retnf.html


Search Criteria:

Softlines hardlines merchandise
Softlines definition merchandise


I hope this helps. If anything is unclear please request clarification
and I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you rate my answer
and close the question.


Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga