CONTINUING CASE ASSIGNMENT In most chapters of this textbook, there will be a GET OUT AND DO IT! assignment that will give you an opportunity to examine the strategy and tactics of one retailer. Your first assignment is to select a retailer and prepare a report on the retailer’s history, including when it was founded and how it has evolved over time. To ensure that you can get information about the retailer for subsequent Continuing Case Assignments, the retailer you select should:

• Be a publicly held company so that you can access its financial statements and annual reports. Do not select a retailer that is owned by another company. For example, Bath & Body Works is owned by Limited Brands, so you can get financial information about only the holding company and not the individual companies it owns, such as Victoria’s Secret and White Barn Candle.

• Focus on one type of retailing. For example, Abercrombie

& Fitch operates just one type of specialty store and thus would be a good choice. However, Walmart operates discount stores, warehouse club stores, and supercenters and thus would not be a good choice.

• Be easy to visit and collect information about. Some retailers and store managers may not allow you to interview them about the store, take pictures of the store, talk with sales associates, or analyze the merchandise assortment in the store. Try to pick a retailer with a local store manager who can help you complete the assignments.

Some examples of retailers that meet the first two criteria are Whole Foods Market, Dress Barn, Burlington Coat Factory, Ross Stores, Ann Taylor, Cato, Finish Line, Foot Locker, Brookstone, Claire’s, Walgreens, Staples, Office Depot, American Eagle Outfitter, Pacific Sunwear, Abercrombie & Fitch, Tiffany & Co., Zales, Autozone, Pep Boys, Hot Topic, Wet Seal, Best Buy, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Michaels, PetSmart, Dillard’s, Pier 1 Imports, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Men’s Wearhouse, Kroger, Kohl’s, Radio Shack, Safeway, and Target.