Do you ever shop at Target? Did you know that several years ago they launched a major expansion into Canada? It failed terribly but do you know why? Hopefully this Introduction will answer some of your questions about your first Case Study Analysis.
Target’s venture in Canada was brief. Less than two years after opening its first store in 2013, CEO Brian Cornell announced it would close its 133 stores after determining that they would not become profitable until 2021. What caused this successful retailer such problems in Canada and what are the lessons to be learned?
The Case Questions that I have posted should guide your Analysis but remember this is a report and needs to begin with a very short introduction and to end with a very short conclusion. Also, please be brief in repeating case detail. Remember – I have read the case several times! Be more expansive in areas that require your critical analysis and judgement. Present your recommendations or conclusions with evidence that supports your point of view.
There is no “right” answer to this case. After you have read the case, take a little time to think critically about the decision that Cornell made and then draw a conclusion about whether he made the right choice. Some students may feel Cornell made a major mistake and others may believe that he was very prudent! Explain your point of view but offer evidence to justify what you believe and why a different point of view might be wrong.
Your Case Analysis should be approximately three pages long, double spaced and written as a report. Assume you are a consultant for Target’s Board of Directors, hired to provide an assessment of Cornell’s decision to close down the Canadian operations. For additional formatting and grading information look at the Case Guidelines and Grading Rubric.
This case makes great use of the material from the chapters on Decision Making, the External Environment and Global Business so please introduce course concepts throughout your report to support your Analysis. You should apply a minimum of 10 concepts that I will include in a file attached.
Also attached the reading about the case study as well guidelines.
“Target Corporation: the Canadian Decision”
Answer the following questions in a Word document:
Very briefly describe Target Corporation’ history and competitive position in the US. What are some of their strengths? What are some of their challenges?
What is the strategy for Target Canada? How does the Canadian market differ from that in the US?
How do Target Canada’s operations differ from Target Corporation’s US operations? What mistakes might they have made in setting up their Canadian stores?
What are some of the key issues that Target Canada must address to become successful?
What are the risks of continuing in Canada? What are the risks of divesting the Canadian operations?
What is the right decision for CEO Brian Cornell? Why? Explain and defend your answer by pointing out why any other answer would be wrong.
Please apply a minimum of ten course concepts to support your analysis, especially concepts from decision making, the external environment & culture and global operations.
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