Case Study of the Week: Comparing Operational Opportunities

Dec 2, 2024

Retail Merchandising

You are to assume the role of a merchandising specialist for Galaxy Pet, a retail chain specializing in pet food, products and services. The director of operations wants you to compare operational opportunities for the retailer in airports across the nation.

Galaxy Pet stores sell a large variety of pet food and supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish and other small animals. The stores are quite large and most also offer grooming services for dogs and cats.  

The number of airplane passengers traveling with pets has skyrocketed in the last decade. It is not uncommon for passengers to travel with small dogs and cats on domestic flights. Some larger airports have animal relief areas for pet owners to take their pets before and/or after flights.

Executives at Galaxy Pet are excited to bring the retailer into various airports. There are opportunities for Galaxy Pet to sell limited products in the airport terminals, past security checkpoints. The director of operations has two different operational opportunities for Galaxy Pet retail space inside airports and wants you to compare operating costs and product mix opportunities for both and make a final recommendation.

Opportunity 1: Galaxy Pet vending machines – Several Galaxy Pet branded vending machines would be located in each airport, including all terminals

Opportunity 2: Galaxy Pet retail store – One Galaxy Pet retail store would be located inside the airport

Questions?

Randi Bibiano
Competitive Events Specialist
randi@deca.org

Randi Bibiano is DECA's competitive events specialist. In this role, she conceptualizes and authors role-play scenarios for the collegiate and high school division’s competitive events programs. She also manages DECA's online competitive events and serves as a liaison to volunteer efforts at DECA's educational conferences.

Discussion Questions

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Classroom Connection

Career CLuster:

Marketing

Instructional Area(s):

Operations

Performance Indicators:

Explain the nature of overhead/operating costs
Explain the concept of product mix
Explain the relationship between customer service and distribution
Explain the nature of distribution