Week 2 Assignment: Retail Sales Analysis with Python

Assignment Overview

Welcome to your first programming assignment in ISM6251! This week, you’ll apply your newly acquired Python, NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib skills to analyze real-world business data.

Learning Objectives

By completing this assignment, you will:

Apply Python fundamentals to solve business problems
Use Pandas for data manipulation and analysis
Leverage NumPy for efficient numerical computations
Create visualizations with Matplotlib to communicate insights
Translate technical findings into business recommendations
Practice professional data analysis workflow

Business Context

You are a Data Analyst at TechMart, a mid-sized electronics retail chain with stores across Florida. The CEO has asked you to analyze Q4 2024 sales data to inform strategic decisions for 2025. You’ll work with transaction-level data to uncover insights about:

Store performance across locations
Product sales patterns
Revenue drivers
Seasonal trends

Assignment Structure

The assignment is divided into 5 main parts:

Setup and Data Generation (5 points)
Data Loading and Exploration (15 points)
Data Analysis with Pandas (25 points)
Visualization with Matplotlib (20 points)
Business Insights (15 points)

Total: 80 points (+ 15 bonus points available)

Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

Important Instructions

File Naming Convention

Your data file MUST be named using your student ID:

[YourStudentID]-week02.csv

Example: If your student ID is U12345678, your file should be named:

U12345678-week02.csv

Required Deliverables

You must submit THREE files to Canvas:

Jupyter Notebook (.ipynb file) with all code and outputs
HTML Export of your notebook (File → Download as → HTML)
CSV Data File with your student ID in the filename

Submission Checklist

Before submitting, ensure:

Your name and student ID are at the top of the notebook
Your CSV file is properly named with your student ID
All code cells execute without errors
Key business questions are answered
At least 2 visualizations are created with proper labels
Recommendations are provided
Notebook is saved with all outputs visible
HTML export shows all outputs

Getting Started

Step 1: Download the Starter Notebook

Download the starter notebook from Canvas or the course website: [week02_assignment_retail_analytics.ipynb]

Step 2: Set Your Student ID

In the first code cell, replace 'UXXX' with your actual student ID:

STUDENT_ID = 'U12345678'  # Replace with your ID

Step 3: Work Through Each Section

Follow the instructions in each section. Look for TODO comments that indicate where you need to add code.

Step 4: Test Your Code

Ensure all cells run without errors by using: - Kernel → Restart & Run All

Step 5: Export and Submit

Save your notebook with all outputs
Export as HTML (File → Download as → HTML)
Submit all three files to Canvas

Simplified Rubric

Core Requirements (80 points)

Section	Points	Key Requirements
Setup & Data	5	• Student ID set correctly • CSV file saved with proper name
Data Exploration	5	• Data loaded from CSV • Basic exploration completed • Key patterns identified
Data Analysis	5	• Time columns added • 3 business questions answered • Grouping operations performed
Visualizations	5	• Minimum 2 charts created • Proper labels and formatting • Clear insights provided
Business Insights	5	• Key findings summarized • Recommendations provided • Professional communication

Bonus Opportunities (3 points)

Bonus Item	Points	Description
Extra Analysis	1	Create pivot table or additional analysis
Extra Visualization	1	Create third visualization (time trend)
Reflection	1	Thoughtful reflection on learning and tools

Grading Notes

Full Credit Guidelines: - Code runs without errors - Student demonstrates understanding of concepts - Reasonable attempt at business interpretation - Work is original and shows effort - Well documented

Partial Credit: - Minor errors that don’t affect overall analysis - Missing labels or formatting issues - Incomplete but reasonable attempts - Lack of description/documentation (i.e. comments, any required discussion, etc.)

Focus Areas: 1. Understanding over perfection - Credit for demonstrating concept knowledge 2. Practical application - Using tools to answer business questions 3. Communication - Clear explanation of findings

Academic Integrity

This is an individual assignment. While you may discuss concepts with classmates, all code and written responses must be your own work.

Permitted: - Using course materials and notebooks - Consulting Python documentation - Asking clarifying questions on Canvas

Not Permitted: - Copying code from other students - Using AI to generate complete solutions - Submitting work from previous semesters

Violations will result in a zero for the assignment and may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

Tips for Success

Data Analysis Best Practices

Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute
Read Carefully: Follow all instructions and check requirements
Test Often: Run your code frequently to catch errors early
Comment Code: Explain what your code does
Interpret Results: Always explain what the numbers mean for the business

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to set your student ID
Not saving the CSV file with the correct name
Submitting without running all cells
Missing the two required visualizations
Not answering the three key business questions

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

Attend extra help sessions for personalize help
Post on Canvas to the raise your hand section with specific error messages and what you have done to troubleshoot. AN “I can’t get this to work” message without such details will be ignored.
Review Week 2 Materials including notebooks and slides

Due Date and Late Policy

Due Date: Check Canvas for specific date and time, and late penalties

Sample Output Examples

Expected CSV Filename Format

U12345678-week02.csv

Expected DataFrame Shape

Your dataset should have approximately: - 3,000-4,000 transactions - 6 columns initially - 92 days of data (Oct 1 - Dec 31, 2024)

Sample Requirements

Minimum Visualizations (2 required): 1. Bar chart showing store or product performance 2. Your choice of second visualization

Key Business Questions (3 required): 1. Which store has the highest revenue? 2. What is the best-selling product? 3. How do sales vary by time period?

Remember: Focus on demonstrating understanding rather than perfection!

Questions?

If you have questions about this assignment:

First, check this document and the starter notebook
Review the Week 2 materials
Post on Canvas Discussions
Attend office hours

Good luck with your analysis!

Last updated: August 11, 2025