For this assignment you will work with a partner or in a group of three. You will choose a high-traffic store, research it online and in person, and provide a written report of your findings. Part of this written assignment will be a summary of your experiences after visiting the retail environment for a length of time. To be successful in the observational part of this assignment, you will need to suspend all preconceived knowledge of the environment and culture you will be visiting so that you can see it with fresh eyes, almost as if you were an alien visiting this planet for the first time.

Before your visit, conduct research using reliable sources (corporate website, business articles, etc. - Wikipedia is NOT a reliable source, but can lead you to sources that are) on your specific retail business. Be sure to select a retailer large enough to provide sufficient research material (one that is written about regularly). You must provide copies/print-outs of the source material you have used as an appendix to your written report, and cite these sources correctly, using APA format (visit the library website for APA guidelines).

Purpose:

• To learn and practice conducting an environmental scan
• To apply primary observational research and secondary online research
• To practice correct use and citation of external research
• To develop business writing skills
• To work effectively in a small-team setting

Methodology;

• Select your team
• Select your retailer
• Conduct secondary research
• Conduct primary research (visit/observation)
• Write your report