Module 3 - SLP SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS Assignment Overview Delivery Technology A drone delivery service in Iceland was the first of its kind in 2017. Before that, Amazon did drone deliver

Discussion: The Holiday Shopping Season

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The Holiday Shopping Season

According to the National Retail Federation, the shopping season from Black Friday and Cyber Monday to Christmas represents 19% of annual retail sales. November and December 2020 Holiday sales grew 8.2% ($777 billion) over 2019. Meticulous planning, forecasting, and execution months in advance are required for chain members to have goods on-site and delivery capabilities in place for the month-long massive shopping event.

Module 3: Week 1 Discussion Readings

The supply chain is an unlikely Ghost of Christmas Present (2021)

Big box stores are taking drastic steps to avert shipping delays. Small retailers are hoping for a holiday miracle. (2021)

Americans may not get some Christmas treats, White House officials warn (2021)

4 reasons Americans are still seeing empty shelves and long waits – with Christmas just around the corner (2021)

Infographic: The Christmas Supply Chain

WEEK 1 DISCUSSION POST

The week's readings include a mix of interdisciplinary and light-hearted resources looking at the holiday supply chain. Find at least one other recent resource for support. For your post:

What support is needed from chain members to ensure inventory in retail outlets?
Consider resources required for delivery from outlets with physical locations.
Using the resource beyond this week's readings, provide a real-world example of how brick and mortar stores are adding delivery to buying channel options (from a supply chain perspective). (The article should be less than two years old.)

This post should be 2 paragraphs in length (150-200 words). Since you are engaging in research, be sure to cite in the body of the post and add a reference list in APA format. NOTE: failure to use research with accompanying citations to support content will result in reduced scoring "Level 2-Developing" for Quality of Initial Posting, Critical Thinking, and Reference to Supporting Readings/Information Literacy on the grading rubric.

WEEK 1 INTERACTIVE RESPONSES TO CLASSMATES

1st Interactive Response:

Analyze one student's resources required for delivery and compare/contrast them to your post.

2nd Interactive Response:

Analyze another student's company delivery example and compare/contrast it to your post.

Each reply should be one paragraph in length (or about 75 words) and must be substantive in nature. Do not simply say "I agree" or "That is great"; specify why and be detailed in your explanation. You may use research in your responses, but it is not required.

Module 3: Week 2 Discussion Readings

Holiday shopping has started early amid fears over shipping delays (2021)

Exclusive Q&A: Flexibility, omnichannel crucial to holiday planning (2021)

AMZN vs WMT Weekly: Logistics Take Center Stage Ahead of Bring-It-to-Me Holidays (2021)

How the gig economy can help win the last mile delivery race (2021)

Santa Claus Interrupted! Why Christmas Might Be Ruined This Year (2021)

WEEK 2 DISCUSSION POST

The dollar value of retail ecommerce deliveries has grown globally, with the trend expected to continue. Some companies planned for the boom in delivery and developed partnerships or made acquisitions to support the channel. This week's readings provide a historical snapshot of holiday delivery since 2014. Find at least one other recent resource for support. For your post:

Explain how traditional retail outlets compete for ecommerce delivery. (Do not use Walmart.)
Compare partnerships and acquisitions in warehousing and delivery for brick and mortar outlets.
Using the resource beyond this week's readings, provide a real-world example of how brick and mortar stores are using warehousing to support delivery (from a supply chain perspective). (The article should be less than two years old.)

WEEK 2 INTERACTIVE RESPONSES TO CLASSMATES

1st Interactive Response:

Analyze one student's resources required for competing and compare/contrast them to your post.

2nd Interactive Response:

Analyze another student's company warehousing example and compare/contrast it to your post.

In your own words, respond to the discussion and comments of classmates. Grades will be based on effectual, concise, and interactive feedback. The excessive use of quotes or unoriginal content will directly impact performance since it suggests lack of comprehension and indicates that a student may not have mastered the concepts.