Which chart would you use to show shifts in ranking of bicycle sales over several quarters?

To effectively show shifts in ranking of bicycle sales over several quarters, a ribbon chart is particularly suitable. Ribbon charts are designed to visualize changes in rank over time and can display multiple categories or groups simultaneously. Each category is represented by a distinct ribbon, which flows over time, allowing viewers to easily track how the rankings of bicycle sales change from one quarter to the next.

This visualization is beneficial as it not only indicates which bicycles are selling better or worse over time but also highlights trends and movements among different products or sales groups. The visual flow of the ribbons makes it clear where shifts occur, making it easier for stakeholders to grasp the dynamics of sales performance across quarters.

Other chart types, like bar and line charts, are less effective for this specific purpose. Bar charts can illustrate sales figures effectively but do not convey ranking changes as clearly. Line charts can show trends over time, but again, they may not effectively communicate changes in ranking between different items as ribbon charts do. Funnel charts represent stages in a process and are not appropriate for ranking comparisons.

In summary, the ribbon chart’s capability to illustrate ranking shifts visually over time makes it the most suitable choice for depicting changes in bicycle sales rankings over several quarters.