Simple Retailpath FAQ

Mud mapping is the process of planning the layout of a retail promotional catalogue or eDM before content production begins — determining which products appear on which pages, in what position and at what size, before artwork is created. In traditional retail production, mud mapping is done manually — typically in PowerPoint, on paper or in a spreadsheet — and then communicated to the studio team as a separate brief. This creates a gap between the promotional plan and the production brief, requiring manual re-entry of product information and leaving room for products to be placed incorrectly or omitted. Simple RetailPath includes integrated mud mapping tools that connect the promotional layout plan directly to the studio briefing process. Products are placed into the promotional layout from the PIM library, carrying their copy, pricing and imagery with them. The mud map becomes the studio brief — with product data pre-populated and the layout structure already defined — eliminating the manual translation step between promotional planning and content production.