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  • May 2020
  • Teaching Note
  • HBS Case Collection

Baskits Inc.

By: Richard S. Ruback, Royce Yudkoff and Ahron Rosenfeld
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:11
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Abstract

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 217-001. Robin Kovitz (MBA 2007) acquired Baskits, a Canadian gift basket company, in October of 2014. The business was highly seasonal with two-thirds of its sales occurring in November and December. Baskits dealt with its seasonality by renting additional space at a different location and hiring part time employees in the peak season while operating in a smaller space and with fewer full time employees in the off peak season.

Kovitz experienced firsthand the inefficiencies resulting from operating in two locations, inefficiencies that were exacerbated by the lack of an information technology system. She realized that operating from a single larger location year-round would resolve these inefficiencies. She also viewed an ERP system as critical to control costs through better management of purchase orders and inventories. Kovitz had to decide whether, and how quickly, to implement these changes.

Keywords

Operations; Performance Improvement; Canada

Citation

Ruback, Richard S., Royce Yudkoff, and Ahron Rosenfeld. "Baskits Inc." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 220-086, May 2020.
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About The Authors

Richard S. Ruback

Finance
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Royce G. Yudkoff

Finance
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  • Lupoli Companies: Riverwalk - Making an Impact By: Richard S. Ruback, Marco Di Maggio, Dave Habeeb and Ruth Page
  • Managing Pain in the Midst of an Opioid Epidemic By: Joshua D. Coval, Richard S. Ruback and Christopher Diak
  • Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition: Brian's Journey By: Richard S. Ruback, Royce Yudkoff and Sarah Livick-Moses
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