New Product Line to Differentiate a Shipping Store
2026 · DistrictGenerate product ideas. · Explain the concept of product mix. · Identify product's/service's competitive advantage.
You are to assume the role of the general manager of THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE, a franchised subsidiary of UNITED EXPRESS, a shipping company. The regional manager (judge) wants you to recommend a new product line THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE can sell that will bring in new customers and differentiate from competition. THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE is an access point for UNITED EXPRESS shipping. Customers can drop off packages with prepaid labels, as well as pack and ship new packages. In addition, THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE offers customers a variety of services: copying, printing, notary services, passport services and postal mailboxes for both individuals and small businesses. THE UNITED EXPRESS STORES' biggest competitor is FEDERAL PARCEL SERVICE stores. FEDERAL PARCEL SERVICE is another shipping company with branded stores that offer the exact same services as THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE but use FEDERAL PARCEL shipping rather than UNITED EXPRESS. The regional manager (judge) wants you to recommend a product or service that THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE can sell that will bring new customers into THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE and differentiate it from FEDERAL PARCEL SERVICE stores. The regional manager (judge) wants a product or service that will convert FEDERAL PARCEL SERVICE store customers into THE UNITED EXPRESS STORE customers. You will present your recommendation to the regional manager (judge) in a role-play to take place in the regional manager's (judge's) office. The regional manager (judge) will begin the role-play by greeting you and asking to hear your ideas. After you have presented ideas and have answered the regional manager's (judge's) questions, the regional manager (judge) will conclude the role-play by thanking you for your work.