Ross Physical Store: A Case Study

As a leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer, Ross chooses only one type of distribution channel. Ross only distributes products through its brick and mortar stores. Ross was founded in 1957 and its headquarters is in Pleasanton, California (Pan, 2013). Ross now has 1,253 stores in 33 states of the United States (including big states like Arizona, Florida, Texas), the District of Columbia, and Guam (Pan, 2013). Ross stores, which are average 26,100 square feet, reside in strip shopping malls in urban and suburban areas (Vault, 2016). Physical stores allow Ross to have one-on-one contact with customers. Insightful sales associates give customers an opportunity to get advice or recommendations while shopping. A wide range of designer, first-quality, name brand and in-season …show more content…
The retailer operates five distribution processing facilities: two in California, two in South Carolina, and one in Pennsylvania (Vault, 2016). These distribution centers are the core source of Ross merchandise. By the end of 2015, Ross was preparing to open up two new distribution centers (Vault, 2016). Ross is constantly planning and strategizing the best way to store and transport its merchandise into stores. When Ross is not able to handle the big volume of inventory, it employs the help from third-party cross- docks to hand out inventory to stores (Vault, 2016). Carriers conduct shipments three to six times per week depending on the store location (Vault, 2016) since Ross wants to make sure that its stores always receive inventory timely and regularly. Ross does not limit to distribute inventory to the U.S. only but also around the world. More than that, Ross’ strategic location for its international distribution centers is in Ontario, Canada and Australia, which is the key point for Ross to constantly improve its shipment not only to its stores in U.S. but to international markets (Vault,