continue DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: Mr$.$ Price$$s growth strategy is driven by existing businesses rather than through acquisitions. Market share gains are expected to be driven by store growth and, in the future, online capability. Mr$.$ Price is currently targeting expansion of $50$ stores per year, and an increase in local trading space of $5\%$ per annum. Mr$.$ Price also has the opportunity of further improving its operating margin as it continues to rationalise its store base by reducing space in chains that are over spaced. In addition, Mr$.$ Price has the opportunity to further enhance its operating margin by moving to a more direct sourcing model. The company currently sources $95\%$ of its product indirectly and the advantages of going straight to manufacturer are two$-$fold. First, it may enhance the company$$s bought$-$in gross margin by cutting out the middleman and therefore reducing the cost of goods. Second, forging direct relationships with manufacturers will allow Mr$.$ Price greater control over its inventory which in turn leads to lower markdown and higher stock turn. Mr$.$ Price$$s focus is to remain a cash$-$driven retailer, and the company does not plan for credit sales to exceed $25\%$ of group sales. This differentiates the retailer from its main competitors and is a particular advantage when interest rates are rising. Credit sales tend to slow as interest rates rise and therefore being less reliant on credit to grow sales benefits Mr$.$ Price in such an environment. Mr$.$ Price$$s international strategy is focused on the rest of Africa. The strategic emphasis is on corporate$-$owned stores in regions with high GDP$.$ The group, however, has $24$ franchise stores out of its total of $67$ international locations. Expansion throughout the African continent is likely to be an important part of the business in years to come. However, the international part of the business is currently very small and still contributes little to overall group profitability. QUESTION $11\mathrm{.}1$ You are employed as a supply chain officer at Mr Price in South Africa. How would you address the importance of demand Planning for this business. Use practical examples in your discussion. $(20)1\mathrm{.}2$ Discuss ONLY TWO approaches that you would employ to minimize stockouts, reduce excess inventory, and improve overall supply chain efficiency at a business like Mr Price? $(15)1\mathrm{.}3$ Outline and discuss TWO challenges Mr Price encounter in integrating its supply chain with omni$-$channel retail operations. Provide examples. $(15)$ QUESTION TWO $[20]$ You oversee a warehouse handling perishable goods. There's a need to optimize the layout for better efficiency. Outline and discuss the steps you would take to reorganize the warehouse layout, considering factors such as storage capacity, accessibility, and order fulfilment speed. Please provide References as well