In this course, all students participated in the Stanley Marcus Communications Case Competition. In this competition, students were put into groups of four and were assigned to build a "Store of the Future." This project required groups to develop the concept for a new retail business based on primary and secondary research, retail competitive analysis, and creation of a merchandise financial plans. After a lot of research, we found a significant issue that didn't settle with my group and I. Retail is one of the least environmentally friendly markets due to all the waste after a clothing item is no longer used. While some companies started using recycled goods in some products, there wasn't a company that had all their products made from 100% recyclable goods. Being that there weren't enough environmentally friendly brands in the market, we were going to change that. We decided to open up "Wanderlust" a store which offers customers an alternative, interactive, and fun shopping experience where all products are made out of recycled materials.

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Throughout this semester long project, I learned how to work with a diverse group, perform on a tight schedule, and how much work goes into opening a store front. Eventually, after a good number of years in the workforce, I would like to open a storefront of my own. I envision it will be a specialty boutique that focuses on gifts and home decor. This project has been an eye opener of how much work goes into opening a store but it also fueled my passion for being an entrepreneur and owning my own store. Experiences and opportunities like this case competition are what makes being in Mays Business School worthwhile and exciting. 

 

Please feel free to explore our reports and presentation below!