Question 1
Katie Collins is managing director of Fashion Wholesalers supplying 120 small independent women’s clothing retailers targeted at AB women aged 35 – 60. The target market are mainly ‘housewives’ i e women who do not work. Fashion Wholesalers are UK agents for 30 German and Scandinavian producers who are known and well accepted in this niche market. Katie knows that most of her customers rely on her for around 50% of their stock.
Fashion Wholesalers buyers make 4 trips a year to each supplier. They order clothes for each of the seasons agreeing a delivery schedule of monthly deliveries into their warehouse near Peterborough. They take samples of the clothes they have ordered back to the showroom attached to the warehouse for buyers from the stores to order. The stock schedule is:
Seasons Samples in showroom Stock arrives Warehouse Despatched to Stores
Spring September January, February, March February, March, April
Summer November April, May, June May, June, July
Autumn February July, August Sept August, Sept, October
Winter April October, Nove mber October,November, December
Explain how conflict may rise within this distribution chain (50%).
From the perspective of Fashion Wholesalers recommend ways conflict can be managed (50%).
Make reasonable assumptions where necessary and make these assumptions clear.
Question 2
Recommend the retail mix for a start-up retailer of men’s clothing targeted at men aged 40+ of the A and B social grades. The main competitors are department stores and specialty stores including bespoke tailors (made to measure). The business intends to sell goods and will not make suits for individuals.
Make reasonable assumptions where necessary and make these assumptions clear.
