Supply Chains, Networks and Markets L7 Coursework Brief | BU

 SCNM Brief:

This assignment is based on a live case study set in the present. You are required to read the case study scenario (below) and conduct additional secondary research to develop your answers to the assignment tasks. You are asked to assume the role of a management consultant to write this report. Although this is an individual report, you are allowed to use material developed together with your Peer Learning Group (PLG) members for formative assessments.

Case Study Scenario: Uniqlo*

The Japanese apparel company Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. ranks as the third largest in the world in terms of sales ($20.2 billion in 2024), after Inditex (owner of Zara) and H&M (Fast Retailing 2024a).

Its biggest brand is Uniqlo, making up nearly 70% of its stores worldwide. In August 2024, out of the total number of 2,495 Uniqlo stores in the world, 1,698 (68%) were operated outside of Japan (Fast Retailing 2024b).

The company operates its international stores directly and it does not offer franchising outside of Japan (Fast Retailing 2024b). Uniqlo International has a presence in Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania (Fast Retailing 2024b). It is notably absent in the Latin American region.

The company has been emboldened by its recent successes and has declared its ambition to continue to expand internationally (Muto 2024). The year 2024 marked its third consecutive year of record profits, a rise of 25% (Hardcastle 2024; Lex 2024).

Mr Daisuke Tsukagoshi, Executive Director, President, and Chief Operating Officer of Uniqlo Co., Ltd., the subsidiary that functions as the global headquarters for the Uniqlo brand, wishes to enter the Latin America region by setting up both physical and online Uniqlo stores in Mexico.

He has appointed you as an external consultant to advise him on this strategy.

Specifically, he would like you to put forward a strategy for developing and managing Uniqlo's relevant networks and relationships to support Uniqlo's entry and expansion via both physical and online stores in Mexico in the next five years.

*NOTE: This case study scenario is a semi-fictional scenario based on publicly available information for teaching and not as an illustration of good or bad practice. Not to be reproduced or quoted without permission.

SCNM Tasks:

Carry out the following tasks in a maximum. 3000-word typewritten individual report. This report aims to advise Uniqlo's management team on how to develop and manage the firm's networks and relationships to support the setting up of physical (bricks-and-mortar) and online retail stores in Mexico over the next five years (2026-2030). Use relevant analytical tools, such as theoretical
Perspectives, frameworks, models, theories or concepts to develop your answers.

TASK 1 (weighting: 25%): The Organisation's Networks and Relationships (c. 700 words)

Analyse and evaluate the existing relationships and networks of Uniqlo Co., Ltd., in view of their relevance for the task of setting up physical and online retail stores in Mexico.

What are the most relevant and important relationships and networks of this organisation that should be considered when setting up physical and online Uniqlo stores in Mexico, and why?

TASK 2 (weighting: 25%): Industry and Market Analysis (c. 700 words)

Analyse and evaluate existing relationships and networks in Mexico’s apparel industry and market, because of their relevance for the task of setting up physical and online Uniqlo retail stores in Mexico.

What are the most relevant and important relationships and networks in Mexico’s apparel industry and market that should be considered when setting up physical and online Uniqlo stores in Mexico, and why?

*NOTE: For this assignment and this unit, "industry" is defined as suppliers, manufacturers and other supply chain participants involved in the making and upstream distribution of products, while "market" is defined as consisting of the downstream supply chain participants, distributors, retailers and consumers of said products.

TASK 3 (weighting: 25%): Strategy Development (c. 700 words)

Formulate strategies for developing and managing Uniqlo's relationships and networks to support the setting up of physical and online retail stores in Mexico. Build on your findings from Tasks 1 and 2.

How should Uniqlo proceed with developing and managing networks and relationships to set up physical and online Uniqlo stores in Mexico? Which networks and relationships would need to be developed?

TASK 4 (weighting: 25%): Critical Evaluation(c 700 words)

Critically evaluate the key concepts and theories (which can include theoretical perspectives, frameworks, models, analytical tools, theories, or concepts) concerning inter-organisational relationships and networks that you used while developing your answers to tasks 1, 2 and 3. Justify your choice of the concepts and theories used in the production of your report.

Which concepts and theories did you use and why? What were their main strengths and weaknesses?

SCNM Intended learning outcomes:

Critically evaluate a range of concepts and theories concerning inter-organisational relationships in an international context; apply appropriate frameworks, models or concepts for the analysis, development, and implementation of global strategies for a specific organisation;

Apply appropriate analytical frameworks, models or concepts for the analysis and evaluation of the relationships and networks of a specific organisation;

Apply appropriate analytical frameworks, models or concepts for the analysis and evaluation of the relationships and networks of a specific market;

Develop strategies for managing the relationships and networks of a specific organisation