1. A convenience store chain attempts to be responsive and provide customers what they need, when they need it, where they need it. What are some different ways that a convenience store supply chain can be responsive? What are some risks in each case?
2. Seven-eleven's supply chain strategy in Japan can be described as attempting to micro-match supply and demand using rapid replenishment. What are some risks associated with this choice?
3. What has seven-eleven done in its choice of facility location, inventory management, transportation, and information infrastructure to develop capabilities that support its supply chain strategy in Japan?
4. Seven-eleven does not allow direct store delivery in Japan, with all products flowing through its distribution center. What benefit does seven-eleven derive from this policy? When is direct store delivery more appropriate?
5. What do you think about the 7dream concept for seven-eleven Japan? From a supply chain perspective is it likely to be more successful in Japan or the United States? Why?
6. Seven-eleven is attempting to duplicate their successful Japanese supply chain structure in the United States with the introduction of cdcs. What are the pros and cons of this approach? Keep in mind that stores are also replenished by wholesalers and dsd by manufacturers.
7. The United States has food service distributors like mclane 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?