Miles And Snow's Strategy Case Study

Miles and Snow’s strategy typology consist of four strategic categories: prospectors, defenders, analyzers, and reactors (Parnell, 2014). I would categorize Dollar Tree as a defender strategy. Defenders operate in a single market. Dollar Tree operates in the discount store industry (Retail - Discount Stores, 2016). Defenders look for stability and control (Parnell, 2014). Dollar Tree opened fully automated distribution centers in an effort to improve its operating efficiency and support expansion (Dollar Tree, 2016). “Dollar Tree has 10 distribution centers and receives approximately 90% of its inventory from the distribution centers” (Dollar Tree, 2016). Lastly, defenders avoid making the initial move within industries. Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar Store in an $8.5 billion cash-and-stock deal. This acquisition was shocking because Dollar Tree was not assumed a major contender (Robbins, 2014). “Being the first mover can be costly and risky, and savvy rivals can often leapfrog first movers with better designs and more efficient production processes (Parnell, 2014).

The discount store industry consist
(2016). Dollar Tree, Inc. MarketLine Company Profile, 1-31.

DOLLAR TREE, INC. Competition. (2015). Retrieved from HOOVERS: http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/competition.Dollar_Tree_Inc.6d612139eab8a39e.html

Parnell, J. A. (2014). Strategic management: Theory and practice (4th ed.).

(2016). Retail - Discount Stores. http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/markets/usmarkets/industry.asp?industry=53412: The New York Times. Retrieved from The New York Times: http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/markets/usmarkets/industry.asp?industry=53412

Robbins, R. (2014). In a surprising move, Dollar Tree will buy Family Dollar for $8.5 billion. Retrieved from