SECTION B$-$CASE STUDY $-$ Critical thinking and Application

$[$Total Marks $=80]$

Read the case study below carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Do not write more than is requested $(1$ mark for $1$ point, unless otherwise indicated$).$ Attempt all questions.

IZUMIYA OF JAPAN: E$-$COMMERCE POSTER CHILD

Izumiya Co$.$ of Japan is a retail chain giant that offers food, clothing, consumer electronics, furniture, and housewares. It could be called the Super Wal$-$Mart of Japan. Headquartered in Osaka, Izumiya employs more than $2,500$ employees at $81$ retail outlets. Founded in $1921$ with the motto "high$-$quality goods at low prices," Izumiya is a popular, well$-$established retailer that has been quick to take advantage of both the B$2$C and $B2B$ benefits of $e$ commerce.

Izumiya worked with IBM to develop the fastest, lowest$-$cost online grocery service in Japan. Izumiya customers can log on to

www$.$izumiya.co$.$jp$,$ place an order, and have groceries delivered to their doorstep within an hour. $"$By making grocery shopping almost effortless, we hoped to increase the frequency of orders and in the process boost overall sales," says Kazunobu Tanaka, E$-$commerce Project Team Leader.

To offer such a service, Izumiya needed to significantly change its business processes, information systems, and infrastructure. Inventory management systems, storage facilities, and distribution networks. all had to be adjusted tcs support the new e$-$commerce system.

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