Ideas on how to guide a legendary local menswear retailer into the future took centre stage as the Ivey Business School hosted its annual Business 1220E Case Competition.
A six-member team comprised of Richard Wang, Alex Wu, Amy Xu, Eva Xu, Willie Zhou and Morgan Zhuo took home top honours in the competition. Two teams were named as runners-up, including one comprised of Adam Rifai, Jue Wei Li, Aamir Hoodbhoy and Dimos Kallouppis and another comprised of Gordon Sun, Muiz Ashiq Ali, Sharvil Medhekar and Ajith Sukumar.
A total of 36 teams entered the competition.
The Business 1220E Case Competition is well-known among first-year students at Western. Created by Ivey faculty in 1978, the competition is completely voluntary. Interested students form groups and have the opportunity to develop and hone their presentation skills during the competition.
This year, the case was titled, David E. White Clothiers, written by Business 1220E lecturer Scott Lin.
According to the case, the president of the prominent menswear retail company, David White, was considering what strategic growth options to choose for his business. The company, entering its 32nd year of operations, has established a loyal local following, but sales growth has been declining over time. The menswear and apparel industry has experienced tremendous change throughout the years. David must analyze his company’s options and begin making some important decisions.
Assuming the decision-maker’s role, the student teams applied their problem-solving tools and skills to a general management case chosen for the competition and presented their analyses, decisions and action plans to a panel of judges, which included Mark Vandenbosch, Ivey, Programs associated dean; David E. White, founder and owner, David E. White Clothiers; and Karin Adams, Towers Watson senior consultant, executive compensation.