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In this case study, we analyze the different strategies followed by 3 children's fashion chains in the United States. The case describes the moment in which a Venture Capital firm acquires one of them. The management team then faces the challenge of growing the company and maintaining its profitability in the following years, aiming to sell it with a large capital gain. The strategy of the company is compared with that of others in the industry, and its circumstances and possible threats are also analyzed. Finally, there is an open discussion on the various options to make the company grow, through new channels, new countries, and new formats....

A business that makes flavors for use in the food industry (for example, lemon vodka, apple tequila, strawberry yogurt). Large clients. It has a turnover of ?15 million. The founder and owner wants to retire and is considering selling the business. The two main executives decide to buy him out with the help of a private equity fund specializing in mezzanine debt and junior debt. ...

Wei Song oversees Greater China for Rochat & Schmid, a 100-year-old Swiss maker of luxury timepieces. China is a critical market for the firm, but sales of watches have stalled there. The firm's competitors are going after China's luxury shoppers, who are younger and flashier than the traditional customer base, with new gem-encrusted products that offer "bling." To compete with them, Pearl Zhang, Song's VP of marketing, wants to launch a campaign featuring a Chinese singer with a huge social media following among Millennials. But Simon Carbonnier, R&S's chief creative officer back in Switzerland, is dead set against celebrity endorsements and anything that deviates from the brand's long-term value of "understated elegance." Should Song fight for Pearl's new campaign--or not? Expert commentary on this case study is provided by Kent Wong and Martin Ganz. For teaching purposes, this is the commentary-only version of the HBR case study. The case-only version is reprint R1703X. The complete case study and commentary is reprint R1703N....