NeKeydra Bryant
Unit 4
Individual Project
December 4, 2011
MGMT499-1104B-03
Program Capstone

Abstract There will be a discussion of three retail firms, as well as what broad strategies each firm uses. There will also be a description of the tactics that each firm uses. To sum everything up there will be an opinion giving to whether or not the tactics are working.

The three retail firms that were chosen were Gymboree Corporation, Ace Hardware Corporation, and Baskin Robbins. Gymboree is a retail store that sells high quality clothing and accessories for children under the retail chains of Gymboree, Gymboree outlet Janie and Jack, and Crazy 8. There are also playful programs under this retail; such as, Gymboree Play and Music brand. There is also a women’s clothing line and accessories under the Shade brand. Ace Hardware Corporation is a hardware store chains in the United States. All Ace Hardware stores are owned independently by local entrepreneurs in different communities. There are over four thousand four hundred stores across the Unites States. Ace stores offer their customers a variety of hardware and fix and replace items. Baskin Robbins is an ice cream chain. Baskin Robbins is nationwide with over six thousand stores in thirty five countries. They are the world’s largest ice cream chain specialty shop. There are three broad strategies that a firm or company can use; cost leadership, which is when a firm bases it competition off of cost leadership. They are different from their competition because their focus is on cutting cost and efficiency measures. When a firm uses differentiation their main focus is on a more unique product with a premium price. This is away for the firm to earn above average returns and the competition is not able to compete. When a firm uses niche supplier, they use only certain activities to a certain part of the