Master of Business Administration MBA Semester 3 ML0012 Store Operations- 4 Credits Assignment Set 1 60 Marks

Note: Each question carries 10 Marks. Answer all the questions. Q.1 Elaborate on the role played by IT applications in retail stores. [10 marks] Role of IT in Retail Store Operations Most of the big retail businesses use retail IT applications widely. But few critical areas where IT applications are effectively used are as follows: POS: use of scanners and bar coding equipments to identify the item, displaying its cost and thus facilitate the billing process. A new technical advancement in which the shopping cart is kept for scanning which scans the item in cart by laser beams and thus generating the final bill is the virtue of technological advancement in retail sector. Payments: payments at billing counter are facilitated by the technological advancements in retail payment systems. Now a days most of the customers shop using credit cards due to fast and easy payment process. Conversion of electronic cheque is a recent development where the cheques are processed electronically rather than manually where the retailer has to voids it and hands back a receipt to customer. In this process the cheques are captured digitally which makes the billing process very fast. Demand forecasting: Right product at right place and at right time is a key success for any retail business. Demand forecasting in retail business is a key aspect of success. Many types of software are being developed in recent times to forecast the demand of products or merchandise in the stores. Though they cannot substitute real retail expertise personnel but these applications can be augmented by an efficient, objective and scientific approach of forecasting demand. Inventory management: In order to optimize the deployment of inventory, retailers need to manage the uncertainties, constraints and complexities across their global supply chain on continuous basis. This allows them to improve their inventory forecasting abilities and accurately set inventory targets. And IT solution is approved and market leading solution for determining optimal time-varying inventory for every item, at every location throughout supply chain. This allows the retailers to significantly reduce inventory without adversely affecting service levels. Various ERP softwares are now available in markets which are retail specific which help in integrating all the functions from ware house to distribution, front office to back office and merchandising. An integrated supply chain helps the retailer in maintaining his stocks, getting stocks in time and avoiding stock outs by reducing the cost and rendering high customer service. CRM: Customer relationship management which is the present day mantra of many retailers is also using the IT applications. The rise of loyalty programs, mail order and internet shopping provided the retailer with an access to customer data base. Data warehousing and data mining tools facilitate the retailers for productive use of the database to promote his /her business. These applications also facilitate the research of customer buying behavior, product demand etc.

 Store Management: Information technology is used in store operation management. Information technology applications generally integrate the different departments in the stores and facilitate different operations to function smoothly, effectively and within less time.

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Q.2 What tasks does a retailer have to carry out in inventory management? Assess the importance of various inventory levels. [10 marks] Q.3 How does store layout and store design contribute in retail business? Explain. [10 marks] Q.4 What legal procedures are existing to handle customers in retail environment? [10 marks] Q.5 How can we classify retail stores? What are the different types of retail store operations? [10 marks] Q.6 Is strategic planning helpful for a retail store? Justify. What are the steps involved in it? [10 marks] Fall 2011

Master of Business Administration-MBA Semester 3 ML0012 Store Operations - 4 Credits Assignment Set 2 60 Marks

Note: Each question carries 10 Marks. Answer all the questions. Q.1 How does a retailer carry out profit planning in his/her retail stores? What are the key business ratios that would be available for financial analysis? [10 marks]

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Q.2 Is promotion essential in retail? Explain how retailer can select an appropriate promotion mix for his/her store. [10 marks] Q.3 What are the pricing objectives in retail stores? What are the elements of retail price? [10 marks] Q.4 Explain the HR oriented functions in retail stores. [10 marks] Q.5 What is the importance of CRM in retail stores? Explain. [10 marks] Q.6 Give short notes on ethics in retailing and retailers corporate social responsibilities. [10 marks]