Publications
Publications
- August 2018
- HBS Case Collection
Digital Transformation at Brazilian Retailer Magazine Luiza
By: Thales S. Teixeira, Leandro A. Guissoni and Tania Modesto Veludo-de-Oliveira
Abstract
By late 2017, Brazilian retailer Magazine Luiza's CEO was convinced that the company could significantly grow sales and accomplish its aspirations of digital transformation. What was unclear in his mind was whether he should act as a tech company and grow as fast as possible (e.g., high double digits) or be more conservative and grow sales at a financially healthy rate, like traditional retailers did (e.g., single digits). The primary way e-retailing companies achieved these abnormally high rates of growth was through lowering prices and foregoing profitability. Historically, mass retailing had razor-thin margins. It was thus unlikely that he could have it both ways: grow fast and be profitable. Should Trajano opt for more aggressive growth or proceed more conservatively?
Keywords
Digital; Ecommerce; Retailing; Brazil; Bricks And Mortar; Pricing; Customer Lifetime Value; Growth and Development Strategy; Internet and the Web; Transformation; Decision Choices and Conditions; Retail Industry; Brazil
Citation
Teixeira, Thales S., Leandro A. Guissoni, and Tania Modesto Veludo-de-Oliveira. "Digital Transformation at Brazilian Retailer Magazine Luiza." Harvard Business School Case 519-009, August 2018.