Read the Seven Eleven case at the end of Chapter carefully. Summarize and discuss it by answering the following questions:
– A convenient store chain attempts to be responsive and provide customers with what they need, when they need it, where they need it. What are benefits and risks of convenient store vs. Seven-Eleven, respectively?
– Seven-Eleven’s supply chain strategy in Japan can be described as attempting to micro-match supply and demand using rapid replenishment. What are benefits and risks associated with this choice?
– Seven-Eleven is attempting to duplicate the supply chain structure that has succeeded in Japan and the United States with the introduction of CDCs. What are the pros and cons of this approach? Keep it in mind that stores are also replenished by wholesalers and DSD by manufacturers.
– The United States has food service distributors that also replenish convenience stores. What are the pros and cons to having a distributor replenish convenience stores versus a company like Seven-Eleven managing its own distribution function?