Table 2

Characteristics of case companies and their context

Case companiesFashion F1Fashion F2Consumer electronics C1Consumer electronics C2Consumer electronics C3Do-it-yourself D1
OriginBricks-and-mortarBricks-and-mortarBricks-and-mortarE-commerceBricks-and-mortarBricks-and-mortar
Sales (in relation to C1 = X)∼2,5X∼2,5XX∼4X∼6,5X5X
Part online sales∼10%∼10%Below 10%+35%10–20%∼75% construction-site deliveries. ∼20% e-orders
Size, national rank in segmentTop-5Top-5Top-5Top-5Top-5Top-5
# Physical stores+350+350+10025–75+35025–75
Geographical spread of customersInternationalInternationalNordicNordicNordicSweden (part of int. company)
Overall strategyProfitability, assortment, sustainabilityCost efficiency, assortment, sustainabilityGrowth, tied-up capitalTied-up capital, speed, cost efficiencyTied-up capital, speed, costGrowth, service
Goods sizeSmall goodsSmall goodsMix of small and medium-sized goodsMix of sizes, including bulky goodsMix of sizes, including bulky goodsLarge mix, including bulky goods
Goods differentiationSmallSmallMediumLargeLargeVery large
SKU differentiation (single vs. multipack)High; multipacks (2–5 items per bag) broken for online ordersHigh; multipacks (2–5 items per bag) broken for online ordersLow; same SKUs for store and onlineMedium; Multipacks broken for single-line order picksMedium; Differentiate singles and multipacks for medium/large size goodsMedium; certain SKUs in multipacks for large construction-sites
Package standardizationHighHighMediumMediumMediumLow
Product life cycle, Assortment changeShort; campaign-driven assortment changesShort; campaign-driven assortment changesMedium; assortment changed twice per yearMedium; assortment changed four times per yearMediumMedium; assortment changed yearly
Assortment range, # SKUs∼20,000 (whereof 11,500 at CW)∼5000∼8,500∼6,000∼25,000 (whereof 11,000 at CW)∼150,000 (whereof 36,000 at CW)
Total number of orders (transactions) per year6Y6YYY3,5Y2Y
Number of online orders per year∼500,000∼500,000∼100,000∼1,000,000∼2,000,000∼1,000,000
Average # of order lines per online order3,33,62–31–21–23–5
Order lines per store+50+50+502–3+50+50
Click & Collect (C&C) approach and delivery pointsC&C for free; home delivery costsC&C for free, home delivery in few selected countries (70%)No C&C; home/ pick-up point free; express delivery costsNo C&C; home delivery free; express delivery costsC&C for free; home delivery costsLimited C&C; delivered to site (home or construction)
Requested order-fulfilment times (online)2–4 days2–4 daysNext dayNext dayWithin 24 hOver night
Demand variationLargeLargeMediumMediumMediumMedium
Product value ($)low price/unitlow price/unitMedium - high price/unitMedium - high price/unitMedium - high price/unitMix
Labor costs (country)High (Sweden)High (Sweden)High (Sweden)High (Sweden)High (Sweden)High (Sweden)

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