This question concerns the $$location pooling$$ strategy discussed in class.

$(1)$ Briefly explain how such a strategy works, and the benefit of such a strategy on inventory

management and other aspects of supply chain.

Now, think about the $$Buy Online $$ Delivered from Store$$ approach $($we discussed this in class

as an example of omnichannel fulfillment$).$ For example, Target fulfills a majority of its ecommerce

orders by shipping merchandise from its US retail stores.

$(2)$ When an online order is received, what are the operational pros and cons of a$)$ filling it

from an e$-$commerce warehouse and b$)$ filling it from a retailer store. If from a retail

store, then which factors should be considered in deciding which retail store?

Last year, Target announced that it will invest $$100$ million to set up sortation centers to

consolidate and process shipments from its retail stores to customer homes. $($See a separate

article posted on Canvas for more information.$)$

$(3)$ Use the discussion above in $(2)$ to explain the benefits of using the sortation centers $$

specifically, which $$Cons$$ of $$deliver from store$$ can these sortation centers address?

Add your original thoughts about how these sortation centers should be used most

effectively.