Practical guide

Retail Product Launch Readiness Checklist

Use this checklist in your launch review. Assign an owner and an evidence link to each item, and record unresolved decisions before marking a product ready.

1. Confirm product identity and attributes

Check SKU or internal identifier, category, variants, dimensions, units, descriptions, and required images. Validate category-specific fields and flag missing values. Record who approved the final information and when.

2. Resolve supplier questions

Confirm the latest supplier file or specification has been reviewed. List outstanding corrections and their owners. Keep source documents linked to the record so the launch team can trace decisions.

3. Review destinations and quantities

List the stores, channels, or regions included in the launch. Record proposed quantities, the person responsible for the plan, and the system that confirms stock availability. Product data readiness alone does not confirm inventory availability.

4. Collect required approvals

Identify the merchandising, operations, and other reviews required for your product category. Capture approval evidence and unresolved exceptions. Agree who can make the final launch decision and how changes after approval will be handled.

5. Record the launch decision

For each destination, record ready, blocked, or awaiting review, with a named owner and next action. Confirm the launch date, handoff recipient, and fallback plan. Recheck any records affected by late supplier or allocation changes.