First Look: Wayfair opens its first large-format store — complete with restaurant

Digitally native Wayfair Inc. has given its namesake brand the supersized treatment in brick-and-mortar.

Click here to read the story at chainstoreage.com.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is “place” as it relates to the marketing mix?
2. Why is place important?
3. What is a brick-and-mortar retail store?
4. How is it different from e-commerce?
5. What type of business is Wayfair?
6. How does the introduction of Wayfair’s physical storefront change the dynamics between its brick-and-mortar and e-commerce operations?
7. How would you describe the Wayfair brand? What are they known for?
8. What is inventory management?
9. What is unique about how Wayfair has managed its approach to inventory management in the past?
10. What is distribution?
11. How might this news represent a possible shift in distribution strategy for Wayfair?
12. Why would they want to open a brick-and-mortar location?
13. Why do you think they built such a big store?
14. Where are they opening this location? How do you think they decided on that location?
15. Do you think they will open more locations in the future? Why or why not? What factors might influence that decision?