sparse assortment

[SPⱭRS ə-SÔRT-mənt]
noun phrasepl: sparse assortments
sortimento escasso
1. A limited or thin collection of items or products; a selection that lacks variety or abundance
The store offered only a sparse assortment of winter coats due to supply chain issues.
A loja oferecia apenas um sortimento escasso de casacos de inverno devido a problemas na cadeia de suprimentos.
2. A meager selection or variety of choices, products, or options
The restaurant's menu presented a sparse assortment of vegetarian options.
O menu do restaurante apresentava um sortimento escasso de opções vegetarianas.
This term is commonly used in retail, commerce, and consumer contexts in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese. In Brazil, it's frequently heard in shopping complaints and business discussions about product availability. In the USA, particularly post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, the phrase became more prevalent in everyday consumer conversation and retail discourse.
NYC Slang
weak selection
Synonyms / Sinônimos
limited selectionmeager varietyscant collectionthin assortmentscanty rangeminimal selection
Antonyms / Antônimos
abundant assortmentrich varietyextensive selectionlarge assortmentcomprehensive range

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
sortimento escasso
Standard translation used in business and retail contexts
Rio de Janeiro
variedade fraca
Colloquial alternative emphasizing weak variety
São Paulo
variedade limitada
Common in commercial and business Portuguese
Portugal
sortido escasso
Portuguese European variant of the term

Related Words

sparseassortmentinventoryselectioncollectionvarietystockmerchandise

Related Idioms & Phrases

light on choices
slim pickings
few and far between
nothing to write home about
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