This article describes the changing retail landscape and one innovative solution that some companies are adopting.

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Marketing, entrepreneurship, retail

Key Questions to Explore:

• What are the different ways that companies can thrive in the rapidly changing retail landscape?

Introduction to lesson and task:

The retail landscape is changing and this lesson will show how some companies are making it work.

Action (lesson plan and task):

1. Survey the class on how they do their shopping. How do their methods differ for different products? For example: clothing, food, sports equipment or make-up
2. Why does it differ?
3. Distribute the article for reading.
4. In an age when retail shopping is moving online , why are some companies choosing to invest in bricks and mortar stores? Have the students discuss in pairs and then share their thinking with the class.
5. Divide the class in two. Assign each half one side of the debate: The store in the mall is simply a billboard for the company to promote its brand and drive online sales. Using the Fishbowl technique, have three students represent each side of the debate in a circle. Leave one empty chair in the circle for other students to pop in and out to add to the debate.  The rest of the class sits outside the circle listening.

Consolidation of Learning:

• When the debate is concluded, have students prepare a one-minute paper on their thoughts on the changing retail landscape.

Success Criteria:

• Students can articulate the changes in retail.

Confirming Activity:

• Distribute the article Tim Hortons, Ikea to open smaller stores to serve downtown clientele — Susan Krashinky Robertson, December 16, 2019. This article outlines some different approaches and responses to the changing retail landscape. Using Think-pair-share, have students compare and contrast the responses of Tim Hortons and Ikea with those of Canada Goose and the other Canadian manufacturers in the first article.