Publications

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May 2021 (Revised August 2021)
Supplement

Zara: An Integrated Store and Online Model (A) and (B)

By: Antonio Moreno and Anibha Singh

Keywords: Stores; Integration; Operations; Business Model; Strategic Planning; E-commerce; Retail Industry; Fashion Industry; Europe

December 2019
Article

The Impact of Increasing Search Frictions on Online Shopping Behavior: Evidence from a Field Experiment

By: Donald Ngwe, Kris J. Ferreira and Thales Teixeira

Many online stores are designed such that shoppers can easily access any available discounted products. We propose that deliberately increasing search frictions by placing small obstacles to locating discounted items can improve online retailers’ margins and even... View Details

Keywords: Online Retailing; Friction; Effor; Search Costs; Price Discrimination; Marketing; Consumer Behavior; Strategy; Price; E-commerce; Retail Industry; Fashion Industry

June 2015
Teaching Note

Quincy Apparel

By: Thomas R. Eisenmann and Lisa C. Mazzanti

Keywords: Retail; Online Retail; Women's Apparel; Internet and the Web; Failure; E-commerce; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Retail Industry

10 Dec 2015
News

The Most Powerful Woman in Chinese Entertainment

the “biggest entertainment company in the world”: “What kind of value can Alibaba offer to your Hollywood partners?” “I went to talk to all of the studios, and the first thing everyone wonders is what an e-commerce company can actually do... View Details

29 Jun 2016
Blog Post

Emerging Into Singapore

mixed group of local and multi-cultural young and driven people who I already have formed good friendships and memories with. Being an Avenger Global Fashion Group was founded over a year ago as an over-arching company that links its 6 fashion retail View Details

Keywords: Technology; Consumer Products / Retail

24 Apr 2014
News

Creating connections among consumers

allow anonymous reviews, and we invest significant resources, both human and technological, in our accountability process.” Hicks enjoys helping consumers take care of business by being able to connect not only to the best-reviewed local companies, but to great service... View Details

18 Mar 2014
Blog Post

BaubleBar Brought to Life, and Other Tales of Joining a Start-up

without retail experience? Julia encouraged them to get relevant summer experience, like her internship at New Balance. She jumped on an e-commerce project there, and did related independent work during her 2nd year that definitely helped... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Technology; Consumer Products / Retail

01 Apr 2000
News

At Cyberposium, Amazon's Bezos Debunks Internet Myths

movie theaters did with the advent of television. Myth #2: There are no barriers to entry on the Internet. What about the huge sums, asked Bezos, that Amazon and other e-commerce companies invest in their businesses? Barriers to entry are... View Details

01 Sep 2014
News

New Idea: On-Demand Package Delivery

spring, Moskowitz and five classmates launched a startup they call Boxxify to provide a solution. E-commerce customers have their packages delivered to Boxxify, which, for a $7 fee (regardless of number of items), drops them off with... View Details

Keywords: Francis Storrs

17 Nov 2020
In Practice

How Retailers Can Thrive in a Shopping Season Like No Other

their wares on e-commerce platforms, marketing through social media channels, and finding new ways to reach customers. In this environment, Americans should remember to shop small and support their local businesses, many of which are... View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost; Retail

March–April 2020
Article

Pricing Policies that Protect your Brand

By: Ayelet Israeli and Eugene F. Zelek Jr.

When customers seek out online deals, it seems like a win for everybody: Brands, retailers, dealers, and distributors sell more goods, and buyers get a bargain. What's not to like? Here's the problem: Lured by rock-bottom online prices, customers often end up dealing... View Details

Keywords: Price; Policy; Brands and Branding; E-commerce

20 May 2025
Blog Post

How Student-Proposed Internships Can Create Value

contemporary women’s fashion brand that blends European simplicity with California energy. Known for its elevated essentials and modern aesthetic, the company has carved out a niche in the affordable-luxury space, with a global presence across more than 100 markets and... View Details

21 May 2025
Blog Post

Mentorship in Action: When an HBS Student Proposes a Project

simplicity with California energy. Known for its elevated essentials and modern aesthetic, the company has carved out a niche in the affordable-luxury space, with a global presence across more than 100 markets and strong e-commerce and... View Details

24 Apr 2014
News

Mobile robots revolutionize order fulfillment

The brainchild of Mick Mountz (MBA 1996), Kiva Systems, with its army of small, battery-powered, orange mobile robots, offers a game-changing approach to the way e-commerce retailers such as The Gap, Staples, Saks 5th Avenue, Crate and... View Details

February 2020 (Revised June 2020)
Background Note

China Commerce 2020

By: William R. Kerr, Daniel O'Connor and Nathaniel Schwalb

China's digital commerce platforms engage billions of consumers daily across a number of routine tasks from banking, retail purchases, travel, gaming, payments, and more. These platforms are the most sophisticated/informed and highest performing/capable in the world.... View Details

Keywords: Platforms; Strategy; Leadership; E-commerce; Digital Platforms; Retail Industry; Technology Industry; Consumer Products Industry; China

Educators

25 Jul 2016
Blog Post

Advice on Switching Careers While at HBS

many retail speakers as I could, typically 1-2 presentations a week, covering everything from large fashion brands to small e-commerce start ups. I found I always learned at least one useful thing per session that helped boost my... View Details

August 2018 (Revised February 2019)
Case

Shindigz

By: Frank Cespedes

Shindigz provides party and celebratory items for various occasions and events through its branded online channel, through third-party retail and wholesale channels, and external online marketplaces. The case focuses on pricing challenges facing a venture with an... View Details

Keywords: Ecommerce; Pricing; Price; Strategy; Decision Making; Brands and Branding; Distribution Channels; E-commerce; Consumer Products Industry

Educators

November 2013
Article

Adding Bricks to Clicks: On the Role of Physical Stores in a World of Online Shopping

By: Jill Avery, Thomas Steenburgh, John A. Deighton and Mary Caravella

Buying a product has never been easier. Consumers can shop online, over the phone or via mail order, from home or on the go, and if they want to experience touch and feel, they can also visit a "real" store. Often, one and the same retailer offers several of these... View Details

Keywords: Channel Management; Retailing; Marketing; Marketing Channels; Marketing Strategy; E-commerce; Retail Industry; United States