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Imprimis (B)
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, Karen; Appel, MarcCase HBS-717496-EEntrepreneurshipThis case is a supplement to Imprimis (Case A). It describes the company's decision to enter into the pharmaceutical compounding business in 2013-14. Imprimis purchased a compounded ophthalmological medication called Dropless Therapy, which was injected into patients' eyes post-cataract surgery, with the aim of replacing a complex regimen of prescription eye drops. After a successful launch of the compounded medication, Imprimis ran into complica...Starting at €5.74
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The Rise and Rise (?) of Walmart (A): Battling Kmart
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Van Den Steen, Eric; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-718431-EStrategyThis case, set in 1990, describes the history of Walmart and asks what competitive strategies Kmart might adopt in response to Walmart's success. It discusses the strategy and organization of both companies in terms of HR practices, store location, distribution, information technology, procurement, pricing, and company culture. This (A) case is the first in a multi-part series that goes on to describe the results of Kmart's competition with Walma...Starting at €8.20
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Walmart Ecommerce (A): Picking up the Pace
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-720425-EStrategyThis case is an abridged version (part 1 of 2) of "Walmart's Omnichannel Strategy: Revolution or Miscalculation?" HBS Case 720-370. The (A) case discusses Walmart's early forays into online retail, as well as improvements made under Doug McMillon beginning in 2014. The case describes Walmart's physical stores, delivery options, grocery business, online marketplace, and distribution system. It also discusses the ecommerce startup Jet.com, which Wa...Starting at €8.20
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Walmart Ecommerce (B): Omnichannel Pursuits
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-720426-EStrategyThis case is an abridged version (part 2 of 2) of "Walmart's Omnichannel Strategy: Revolution or Miscalculation?", HBS Case 720-370. The (B) case describes Walmart's omnichannel strategy in 2018 as it battled Amazon for online retail market share. Walmart aimed to integrate its enormous brick and mortar footprint with its growing ecommerce business, e.g., through merchandise and grocery delivery and order online, pickup in store options. It a...Starting at €5.74
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Steemit: A New Social Media
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; White, Alexander; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-720428-EStrategyThis case discusses the alternative social media site Steemit, including the principles it was founded on in 2016 and the challenges it faced in 2019. Steemit was a blockchain-based platform that aimed to differentiate itself from other social media companies by returning power to its users, rather than centralizing control among company executives. Steemit rewarded its users with cryptocurrency for posting, commenting on, and upvoting content on...Starting at €8.20
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Anthony Soohoo: Retrospection on Dot & Bo
Eisenmann, Thomas R.; Ciechanover, Allison M.; Gonzalez, GeorgeCase HBS-820037-EEntrepreneurshipA founder looks back at the issues at play in the final year of failed furniture e-commerce startup, Dot & Bo. He shares his perspective and learnings in the aftermath.Starting at €8.20
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Pebble: Wearables Pioneer
Yoffie, David B.; Ciechanover, Allison M.Case HBS-717414-EStrategyIn the summer of 2016, wearables 'wunderkind' and Pebble founder and CEO, Eric Migicovsky, was pleased with the young startup's success in the five years since its founding. The Silicon Valley-based company had recently shipped its two millionth smartwatch; held the record for three of the four highest Kickstarter campaigns ever (raising cumulatively over $40 million on the site); launched its first non-watch product dubbed a "wearables game chan...Starting at €8.20
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Imprimis (D)
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, Karen; Appel, MarcCase HBS-717498-EEntrepreneurshipThis case is a supplement to Imprimis (Case A), Imprimis (Case B), and Imprimis (Case C). It describes Imprimis's 2015 decision to develop a $1 per pill compounded alternative to Daraprim, the branded drug that had recently undergone an extreme price hike, raising its price to $750/pill. Imprimis also created compounded alternatives to several other branded drugs, and made investments to increase its manufacturing capabilities. The company now ha...Starting at €5.74
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HTC and Virtual Reality
Yoffie, David B.; Wu, Andy; Ciechanover, Allison M.Case HBS-718421-EStrategyIn fall 2017, HTC CEO and Chairperson Cher Wang was driving the company to focus on virtual reality (VR). HTC's first VR product, VIVE, released in spring 2016, was applauded for its superior immersive room-scale capabilities. However, early adoption of VR beyond gamers and technology enthusiasts was off to a slower start in general to due high cost, lack of quality content, and some user discomfort while using the technology. Wang endeavors to b...Starting at €8.20
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The Rise and Rise () of Walmart (B): Kmart Declares Bankruptcy
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-718510-EStrategyThis case follows up on the competition between Kmart and Walmart as discussed in the A case. It summarizes the companies' positions in the early 2000s, and discusses events between 1990 and Kmart's declaration of bankruptcy in 2002. Walmart grew significantly, expanded internationally, and became a leading player in groceries. However, it also faced criticism regarding its wage and labor practices. Meanwhile, Kmart faced an identity crisis, fall...Starting at €5.74