Retail Business Analysis and Decision-Making Case Study

Retail Business Analysis and Decision-Making - Case Study Example The general strategy was low price but the price elasticity of the product and other factors were taken into consideration in terms of quantity purchased and price set. Product 1 An assessment of the historical trends along with pre-simulation market information revealed that the average demand for the product was 2,590,000 in year 1 and 2,680,000 in year 2. The growth in demand was expected to continue based on the trend in the graph. This was attributed to the fact that product is widely used by all age and income groups in the population. The demand is relatively price inelastic so the level of promotional expenses on the product was relatively less than on the other products. Our team ordered products for two periods in quarter 1 and three periods in quarter 2. This strategy worked fairly well as all inventories carried forward to quarter 3 were sold. Our team’s market share for this product was considered very low. Product 2 Although there is a general upward demand, the pre-simulation market report indicates that this is a discretionary product and that there is a higher level of brand awareness for the product when compared to Product 1. Therefore, demand for the product is based on promotions. ... There was no sale in quarter 1 and so less was ordered for quarters 3 and 4. The price was drastically reduced in quarter 2 and our team was therefore left with no stock on hand as the price was way below the market and suggests that our team was not aware of what the competition was doing. The other two periods saw minimal stock balances on hand at the end of the period. Our market share for this product in quarter 2 was 24.3% which is good when one considers that the market had eight participants. However, quarters 1, 3 and 4 were way below par. Product 3 An analysis of the demand for Product 3 indicates ups and downs in year 1. Year 2 on the other hand showed increases in quarter 2 over quarter 1 and so on up to the 4th quarter with drastic increases of over 50% on the previous quarter. Information obtained reveals that only a narrow segment the population demands this product and that there is a great brand loyalty. This product is a discretionary product and therefore it may sho w dramatic swings based on the economy. However, strong interest tends to prevent this from happening. Since price has an impact on the volume during gift giving periods such as quarter 4 it is best to keep the price at a low price in order to benefit from increased sales volume. Our team sold off all the inventories on hand in quarters 1 and 2 which indicates that too little goods were on hand to satisfy demand. Our market share was average for this product ranging from 15.6% to 12.5%. Product 4 Based on the trends in historic demand for the product it is clear that demand is cyclical with the lowest demand in quarter 1 of each year. Quarter 2 followed by quarter 3 is the period of highest sales with demand in quarter 2 increasing by between four and five

Middle East Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Middle East Story - Essay Example Mariam is Muslim and Tony is Christian. I personally believe this change greatly changes the story and makes it even more impossible for Mariam and Tony to be together. Also, it is important to note that the story does take place in 2006. America and the Muslim world is at a point where any communication leads to inevitable misunderstanding and yet, Tony, an American Christian soldier falls in love with the Islamic Qatari Mariam. I really like my modernized version of the play. I feel that since there is so much hostility between the Americans and the Muslims, showing a play where both sides want to give up what they stand for and just be devoted to each other shows that love prevails over all. Throwing dirt on others does not make us a better person; and violence is definitely not the answer to all questions. Middle East Story shows that life is short, and questions, is it wise to spend a short life hating and killing those who disagree with our viewpoint In my modernized version, Tony does die. I felt it was important for Tony to die, because even after he dies, Mariam shows her affection for him. She covers his face with her head covering, her identity of being a Muslim. I felt this was a very powerful scene in the play. This play is based on the musical, West Side Story, and I have attempted to modernize it by making a few... Mariam is the sister of Qatar's Islamic groups' leader, Ibrahim. Ibrahim wants Qatar to be independent of the American soldiers because he fears the Americans would Westernize the Qataris and cause trouble. From the start it is established that Mariam's family is against the American soldiers. Tony, the guy with whom Mariam meets and falls in love, is an American soldier. This racial difference is very difficult to deal with. The American soldiers pity the Qataris whom the Americans believe are living a backwards life. The American soldiers believe women should have more freedom and the country overall should be more open-minded. The lack of understanding between both races leads to hatred; the American soldiers stationed in Qatar and the members of the Islamic groups have a hard time tolerating each other. A social class difference also exists between Mariam and Tony. Mariam comes from a very wealthy family. Her family owns a big house and she enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. Tony, on the other hand, comes from a middle class family. He lives in an apartment and does not enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. According to Qatar standards, a girl that comes from a wealthy family is supposed to be married to a man who is either of equal financial status or preferably richer. The last and major difference is the religion difference. This difference is not mentioned in the West Side Story. Mariam is a Muslim woman and Tony is a Christian man. According to Islam, it is not permissible for Mariam to get married to Tony. Also, Mariam came from a family that was religiously active and consistently reinforced the teachings and principles of Islam. Theme The whole play revolves around conflicts between the