1. Examine the GR furniture distribution supply chain.  What is your assessment of this supply chain?

1. Examine the GR furniture distribution supply chain.  

What is your assessment of this supply chain? 

What can go wrong during this process that might account for the large number of end-customer returns?

2. How could GR correct the process flows in (1 above)? For each recommendation, do you foresee any implementation problems?

3. How might a retailer like GR convince furniture suppliers to adopt more stringent shipment and product quality standards?

4. In the preparation for her meeting with President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Keith Hughes, and his Retail Furniture Team, Melissa calculated the trend in division Sales, COGS, Gross Profit, SG&A, and EBIT. What do you think Melissa should do based on the division financial numbers? Why