Read the case "Target: From 'Expect More' to 'Pay Less'" on pages 103 to 105 of the textbook and prepare answers to the questions below.

Question 1

Identify four actors in the microenvironment that haveaffected Target's performanceoverthe past few years.

Question 2

Describe how economic and cultural factors affected Target's marketing strategy during the economic downturn.

Question 3

Name Michael Porter's four basic competitive positioning strategies. Which one of these best explains Target's original positioning of "better stuff for slightly higher prices" in the context of global recession? Explain.

Note:

A page is defined as double spaced, with standard margins, and using a standard 12-point font.