CASE STUDY

ALLSTYLES DEPARTMENT STORES

Rebecca’s working day is most times busy and varied. She had recently been
appointed as General Manager of the Allstyles department stores. This was a large
shop in the city center. It had ten departments selling a wide range of products from
men’ to women’s clothing to carpet, furniture and electrical goods. A film crew from the
local TV company had asked if they could film a typical working day for a program they
were making about different peoples working lives. Rebecca agreed and the ten minute
program used six different clips of the film with Rebecca involved in the following
activities:

1. Meeting with all departmental managers to explain the stores pricing and
promotional strategy for the next end of season sale. At the meeting she expected all
managers to inform staff of the price reduction allowed and the way in which goods
should be presented in sales so that the consumers would have a clear message about
the promotion.

2. Attending a planning meeting with senior executives from head office to agree to
the sales target for the store for the next 12 months. Rebecca explained that the
opening of the competitors store very close to hers was a factor that should be taken
into account.

3. Present three shop workers with Reach for the stars badges for outstanding
sales record over the last month. She had her picture taken with them for publication in
the store's internal newspaper.

4. Reviewing the poor performance of the electrical products division with the
manager. Poor staff absence figures had contributed to this problem and Rebecca
suggested that the manager should attend the additional training sessions on staff
motivation and monitoring of staff performance.

5. Meeting with builders, architects, and planners to discuss progress on the new
store extension. Rebecca was concerned that they were not working closely enough
and the project could fall behind schedule.

6. Setting a dispute between two departmental managers over which department

should be able to stock new electronic exercise bicycle sport and electrical goods. It
was agreed that icould not appear in both because of the lack of space, so sports would
stock it for six months next to the gym equipment. Sales would be monitored closely
and if it did not do well then relocation might be possible.
QUESTIONS:

1. What management functions and or roles did Rebecca perform in the case and
why is it important for Allstyles department store and business alike?

2. Identify and discuss two management theories that are applicable to this case
study.