Teaching note for product W42612.

In August 2024, Starbucks Corporation terminated the services of its chief executive officer (CEO) who was facing performance pressure from the chairman emeritus of Starbucks, a hedge fund management company, and the board. The CEO had no prior experience in the restaurant industry and the board of directors had lost confidence in his leadership. After the termination, Starbucks announced the new CEO. What were the issues with the hiring of the CEO .....more

In October 2024, the Walt Disney Company (Disney) was trying to grow further in the streaming business while also combating declines in its TV assets and its revenue from the theme park division, which contributed the most to Disney’s profits. The board was also searching for a new chief executive officer (CEO), as Bob Iger’s contract was set to expire in 2026. Disney’s board appointed James Gorman, former Morgan Stanley CEO, as the company’s next .....more

Teaching note for product W41955.

By May 2024, Dollar Tree Inc. (Dollar Tree), led by Rick Dreiling, was receiving criticism from stakeholders for Dollar Tree’s failed integration with Family Dollar Stores Inc. (Family Dollar) owing to net operating losses. It had acquired Family Dollar in 2015 for US$8 billion. In early 2024, after strategic evaluation, Dreiling decided to close 1,000 Family Dollar stores. Analysts suggested that Dreiling would need to make a call on divestment steps .....more

Teaching note for product W40145.

Teaching note for product # W37303.

In early 2024, The Body Shop International Ltd. (Body Shop) filed for administration, the UK equivalent of a bankruptcy. Aurelius Group (Aurelius), a private equity firm, owned Body Shop and, soon after acquiring it, filed for Body Shop’s bankruptcy. Experts have criticized private equity firms for destroying the value of firms, especially in the retail industry. The FRP Advisory Group (FRP), which Aurelius appointed to oversee the administration, .....more

In March 2023, Gopuff, a player in the quick commerce (Q-commerce) industry, was experiencing intense competition and was also unprofitable. Gopuff’s vertical integration model was different than other e-commerce or marketplace companies like Amazon or Instacart, as it purchased products directly from consumer product companies and wholesalers and stored them in micro-fulfillment centres for quick delivery on demand. The company intended to achieve .....more

Teaching note for product W37045.