"Collins and Frost is a medium-sized department store located in northeastern Texas. It has a flagship store and three branches, all of which are within a seventy-mile radius. C and F, as it is known in the trade and to its customers, is merchandised through its flagship store. At the head of the merchandising division is a general merchandise manager, Amy Brodsky, who supervises three divisional merchandise managers, one of whom is Beverly Nadler, the DMM for menswear. As is the case with these organizations, each DMM is responsible for a number of buyers. At C and F there are twenty buyers, five of whom are menswear division purchasers. For the past three years, Jeff Stevenson, the men's cloth-ing buyer, has noticed a greater demand for designer suits and sportcoats. With each year's purchases, he has increased his initial orders for designer goods. At the last divisional meet-ing, Mr. Stevenson expressed his thoughts on the expansion of his department to feature a designer boutique. He feels that the steady increase in demand for such merchandise certainly warrants the new direction. Ms. Nadler is in agreement and has taken the concept to Ms. Brodsky, who has the ultimate responsibility for such decisions. At this point, the merchandising division is in total agreement on the establishment of a men's boutique. The GMM and DMM want a little more input from other sources before making a final decision. They have directed the buyer, Mr. Stevenson, to plan a trip to the major wholesale market to gather more information pertinent to the department's new emphasis".

3. Should they visit designer resources? Why?

4. Would you suggest they actually open the new boutique? Why?