1. How do the practices described above relate to operations and supply chain strategy and process design and analysis?

2. Describe the main challenges of running a food manufacturing plant. How are these similar to or different from running a grocery chain or store?

3. Do you think that Kroger ships directly from the factories to its individual stores? Or does it ship products to an intermediate distribution center and from there to its stores?

4. How should Kroger treat these facilities? Should they be exclusive to Kroger, or should they provide sales to other retailers? How does this affect forecasting? What are the advantages and disadvantages if Kroger uses the factories to produce products for other retailers?