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Future Shop is a large retail store chain that specializes in audio, video, computer equipment and software, and appliances. A student group has conducted a research study of Future Shop customers' perception of the strengths and weaknesses of the chain and submitted their findings.

Future Shop is a large retail store chain that specializes in audio, video, computer equipment and software, and appliances. A student group has conducted a research study of Future Shop customers' perception of the strengths and weaknesses of the chain and submitted their findings.

Supplemental file to be sent with case.

When Blindstogo.com, the online project of Blinds To Go (BTG), was first proposed in mid-1999 its board of directors was lukewarm to the idea. However, after six months of operation and seeing other retailers go online and the tremendous valuation being given to dot-coms, the board was encouraging BTG to devote more resources to the project. Plans were already in place to further expand their retail store network. Senior management at BTG had received sales, spending and survey results from their retail e-commerce venture. Data obtained from the web site indicated that the people who visited the site were the same people who visited the stores. The vice-chairman of BTG wanted to evaluate the results of this online venture by examining the fit of the e-commerce project within the overall business strategy, to determine where resources should be focused.

When Blindstogo.com, the online project of Blinds To Go (BTG), was first proposed in mid-1999 its board of directors was lukewarm to the idea. However, after six months of operation and seeing other retailers start to go online and the tremendous valuation being given to dot.coms, the board was encouraging BTG to devote more resources to the project. Plans were already in place to further expand their retail store network. Senior management at BTG had received sales, spending and survey results from their retail e-commerce venture. Data obtained from the Web site indicated that the people who visited the site were the same people that visited the stores. The vice-chairman of BTG wanted to evaluate the results of this online venture by examining the fit of the e-commerce project within the overall business strategy, to determine where resources should be focused.

Founded in 1953, Stewart Shoes had grown to six outlets by 1990 with headquarters in Nova Scotia. Management is debating the value of money being spent on advertising and promotions. The controller feels that they should stop advertising and the marketing manager believes they should increase advertising by 50 per cent. The president suggests testing the effects of advertising, in-store promotion, and direct mail on sales.

This series of 14 exercises is intended to provide practice in the typical arithmetic challenges faced by marketers. Each exercise focuses on different calculations, including margin calculations, contribution analysis, profit analysis, price calculations and break-even calculations.

This case provides a detailed description of Tandy Corporation's Incredible Universe stores from 1992 to 1995: layout, major departments, advertising and promotion, location, staff and customers. These very large consumer electronics stores were launched in the belief that incredible selection, entertainment and service would be a formula that customers would love; however, the unprofitable performance of the chain to date raises questions about the future of this venture.

The buyer of power tools and power tool accessories for Canadian Tire Corporation had to make a decision regarding the depth and breadth for the circular saw product line. The previous year's assortment did not perform up to expectations and the company experienced a significant decrease in sales in that category. The buyer had six weeks to complete a strategy to increase profitability in the line and to decide which products would make up Canadian Tire Corporation's assortment.

The Computer Shoppe has five year's worth of customer information of past computer system purchasers in its database. While sales are good, the owner is wondering how he can use the customer information available to him to increase sales.

The Computer Shoppe has five year's worth of customer information of past computer system purchasers in its database. While sales are good, the owner is wondering how he can use the customer information available to him to increase sales.

After a successful roll-out throughout the Northeastern United States, Benjamin's Bagels is set to enter the Canadian market. The vice-president is reviewing information about potential sites in the Greater Toronto area, using micromarketing and geographic information systems. A supplemental file containing maps, product 7A97A004, accompanies this case.

In April 1997, Tristan & America, an apparel retail company based in Montreal, was considering the purchase of StaffWorks, an automated labor-scheduling system marketed by Campbell Software. The M.I.S. director of Tristan & America, was concerned about whether StaffWorks fit his company's need, how the software related to other information systems currently used by the company, and what constituted a good scheduling package. This case illustrates the use of decision support systems (particularly the scheduling system) and store traffic data in retail management. It also describes the considerations in scheduling retail store staff and the complexities of organizational buying in the retail context.

Category management is a technique used by retailers where the product assortment is sub-divided into categories that 1) reflect the purchasing behaviour of the target consumers and 2) are managed as separate business units. In category management, retailers aim to improve the overall performance of a group of products, rather than focus on individual items. In other words, it is a change in perspective about the competitive dynamics of products in the assortment. Individual categories have a manager with the responsibility for making both the buying and merchandising decisions for the category and for planning and achieving the sales and profit goals. (A color version of this case is available at a higher price.)

The key account manager at Pioneer Products, sat before her computer pondering the challenge that faced her. She had been asked by the category manager at King's Food Store (KFS) to work with him on a review of the table syrup category. She knew that the performance of the table syrup category, and indeed, the various brands and items within the category, had caused some concern at KFS recently. The table syrup category was a small one for King's Food Store and they really needed the expertise and resources available from the syrup manufacturers to improve the performance of the category. She knew that the category review was the first step in developing a category management program with KFS. She was excited about the opportunity to partner with KFS but she knew that she had a lot of work to do to review and understand the category before making her initial presentation. As she prepared for her task, she wondered what market and product performance information to review and what recommendations she would make to KFS. A follow-up case (9A95A007) is available.

The key account manager at Pioneer Products, was elated. She had just presented the category manager at King's Food Stores (KFS), with her observations and preliminary recommendations based on her review of the table syrup category (see King's Food Stores (A), 9A95A006). He was delighted with her new insights into the category and was now considering the formation of a strategic alliance with Pioneer Products to manage the table syrup business. He had just provided her with additional valuable, confidential information about consumer behaviour, pricing, and promotions. Her challenge now was to develop further her recommendations for KFS.

Category management is a technique used by retailers where the product assortment is sub-divided into categories that 1) reflect the purchasing behaviour of the target consumers and 2) are managed as separate business units. In category management, retailers aim to improve the overall performance of a group of products, rather than focus on individual items. In other words, it is a change in perspective about the competitive dynamics of products in the assortment. Individual categories have a manager with the responsibility for making both the buying and merchandising decisions for the category and for planning and achieving the sales and profit goals. (A color version of this case is available at a higher price.)

North Pittsburgh Telephone Company (NPT) was the 31st largest telephone company in the United States. The marketing supervisor was wondering what position to take at the next management committee meeting regarding the possible introduction of usage sensitive pricing for NPT's new advanced custom calling services. He was responsible for marketing all NPT's network services. NPT was introducing the new services the following year on a subscription pricing basis, but there was some management support for offering usage sensitive pricing for the features as well. The next meeting would be critical in determining whether to offer usage sensitive pricing and if so, how.

The director of marketing of a recently acquired trust company is faced with preparing a marketing plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Historically, the trust company has not had a marketing or sales function. The director faces some major challenges: establishing marketing's role in the trust company; helping the trust company be more accepted by the bank that acquired the company; helping the trust company move from its unprofitable start-up mode to a profitable operation. She wondered how to begin.

The director of marketing of a recently acquired trust company is faced with preparing a marketing plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Historically, the trust company has not had a marketing or sales function. The director faces some major challenges: establishing marketing's role in the trust company; helping the trust company be more accepted by the bank that acquired the company; helping the trust company move from its unprofitable start-up mode to a profitable operation. She wondered how to begin.