Business Analysis: Bargain Basement Books

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INTRODUCTION

Bargain Basement Books has done well with the many bookstores it owns and operates throughout the Midwest. The incredible discounted prices have been a big attraction to many consumers. Bargain Basement Books has struggled to keep up with the demand for low-priced best-selling novels and children’s books. Panama, Japan, and Finland have shown an interest in the chain of bookstores. In pursuing the possibility of a new location, profitability projections are taken into account.

Background

Increases in sales and demand have caused Bargain Basement Books to search for options on how to satisfy customer needs. Bargain Basement Books is considering expanding its business by opening an additional location (or locations) in one of the following international cities: Panama City, Panama; Tokyo, Japan; or Helsinki, Finland.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this report is to analyze and evaluate the pros and cons of expanding in each of the locations chosen by the Expansion Committee. The report will determine which location will provide the best expansion opportunities for Bargain Basement Books by researching the internal structure of each of the three cities.

Scope

This report will focus on the financial and political aspects, as well as the societal considerations, of Panama City, Panama; Tokyo, Japan; and Helsinki, Finland. Topics will include economic conditions, taxes, political stability, and culture. A comparison of Panama City, Tokyo, and Helsinki was conducted to establish which city would be the best location to open up a new Bargain Basement Books.

ANALYSIS

An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the economy, stability, taxation, and culture of the three cities being...

... middle of paper ...

... – 0.3%; Tokyo City - Business Premises Tax (on floor space), 0.3%; Employer paid - Child allowance contribution, 0.2%; National - Stamp Tax (on contracts for land sale and building expansion), 0.1%; Registration and license tax, 0.4%; Tokyo Metropolitan - Automobile Tax, 67,100 yen; National - Automobile Tonnage Tax, 43,200 yen; Tax on interest, 20%; Value added tax (VAT), 5%; Fuel tax, 34,140 yen per kiloliter (Doing Business).

Culture: Tokyo has a unique culture which is reflected in its traditional arts. The city is at the heart of a large number of celebrations, rituals, festivals and observances. The Japanese people may seem unfriendly and withdrawn by American standards, but that’s because anything non-Japanese is not eagerly taken to. The Japanese version of a handshake is bowing, and it is considered rude to fail to return a bow.

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