As Figure 9.16 illustrates, other clicks-and-bricks strategies range from partial e-commerce integration using joint ventures and strategic partnerships to complete separation via the spin-off of an independent e-commerce company.For example, KBtoys.com is an e-commerce joint venture of KB Online Holdings LLC, created by toy retailer KB Toys, and BrainPlay.com, formerly an e-tailer of chil¬dren’s products. The company is 80 percent owned by KB Toys but has independent management teams and separate distribution systems. However, KBtoys.com has suc¬cessfully capitalized on the shared brand name and buying power of KB Toys, as well as the ability of its customers to return purchases to more than 1,300 KB Toys stores, which also heavily promote the e-commerce site.The strategic partnership of the Rite Ad retail drugstore chain and Drugstore, com is a good example of a less integrated e-commerce venture. Rite Ad only owns about 25 percent of Drugstore.com, which has an independent management team and a separate business brand. However, both companies share the decreased costs and increased revenue benefits of joint buying power, an integrated distribution center, cobranded pharmacy products, and joint prescription fulfillment at Rite Ad stores.Finally, let's look at an example of the benefits and challenges of a completely separate clicks-and-bricks strategy. Bamesandnoble.com was created as an independent e-commerce company that was spun off by the Bames & Noble book retail chain. This status enabled it to gain several hundred million dollars in venture capital funding, create an entrepreneurial culture, attract quality management, maintain a high degree of business flexibility, and accelerate decision making. However, the book e-retailer has done poorly since its founding and failed to gain market share from Amazon.com, its leading competitor. Many business analysts say that the failure of Barnes & Noble to integrate some of the marketing and operations of Bamesandnoble.com within their thousands of bookstores meant it forfeited a key strategic business opportunity.
đang được dịch, vui lòng đợi..
