Compelete the Case Assignment:
Case: Vera Bradley in 2014: Will the Company’s Strategy Reverse its Downward Trend?
Assignment Questions:
1. Does Vera Bradley have a well-defined strategy? How can the strategy be best characterized?
2. Does Vera Bradley have any core competencies? Distinctive competencies? If so, what are they?
3. How attractive is Vera Bradley’s situation? What can a SWOT analysis reveal about the company’s situation
4. Using the information in case Exhibits 1 and 2 and the financial ratios in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4, prepare an analysis of Vera Bradley’s financial situation.
5. How does Vera Bradley stack up against its three major competitors? From the data in the case (including case Exhibits 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6), which of its four industry rivals is the strongest? Which firm appears best poised for growth in the next 3 – 5 years?
6. How would you advise the management to improve the company’s market standing, competitiveness, and financial performance over the next 3 – 5 years? What steps should management take?