Carroll University CSC409
Information Technology
Management
The Antagonists
Introduction
• Foot Locker (NYSE: FL) is a leading global
athletic footwear and apparel retailer.
• Foot Locker has 1,911 stores located in
21 countries, with headquarters in New
York City.
• Strategic Vision…
“Be the leading global retailer of athletically
inspired shoes and apparel.”
Foot Locker Divisions
Sponsored Events
James Jones - 2011 Foot Locker 3-point Contest
Corporate Structure &
Responsibilities
Foot Locker Executive Board
Finish Line Executive Board
Centralization vs.
Decentralization
System Types
• Centralization
– Upper Level Control and Decision-making
• Decentralization
– Lower Level Control
– Distribution of Decision-making
Foot Locker & Finish Line
• Both use a Hybrid System
– Combination of both centralized and
decentralized.
– A mix of strong control and agility.
– Both have a stronger centralization influence
rather than decentralization.
• Foot Locker
– More diverse and decentralized than the
Finish Line.
Which is better?
• Foot Locker is doing great now; however,
only time will tell.
Use of Technology & Trends
Use of Technology
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User Friendly Website
www.footlocker.com
Easy Navigation
Products Organized By:
VIEW
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Brand
Collection
New Arrivals
Sale
• Secure
– Data Stored with Username & Password
Use of Technology
• App
– Champs Sports
• mySTYLE
• Allows Users To:
– Customize Outfits
– Locate Stores
– Shop & Order
Use of Technology
• Sponsors many major sporting
events.
• Video In-Game Advertising
– FIFA World Cup
– NBA 2K11
Future Technological Trends
• Strong Trend to E-commerce
– Sites to be “exciting places to shop and buy.”
• Added:
– Product Ratings
– Faster Checkout
– Improved Navigation
• Web-based Sales Becoming Stronger
– Up 11.7%
Strategic Information Systems
Handhelds
• For use by sales associates
• Provide information about products
– Inventory
– Information
– Comparable products
• Enhances customer interaction
Shopper Tracker
• Analyzes traffic into and out of the store
• Provides data that can prove useful to
the business
– Peak hours of customer shopping
– Helps improve conversion rate
• Number of shoppers / Number of purchasers
– Labor optimization
Operational, Tactical, and
Strategic Outlook
Foot Locker & Finish Line Planning
• Operational
– Quarter Reports
• Tactical
– Year-to-Year Reports
• Strategic
– Vision
– Priorities
– Long-Term Financial Objectives
Laggard, Average or Leader in
Technology
Laggard, Average or Leader in
Technology
• Why is cloud computing not racing ahead
at the Foot Locker websites?
– Mostly data integrity / security risks…
– Businesses use databases all the time to
track 12 bazillion things … data integrity?
Bad! 
– Last week’s Amazon.com crash would be a
great example of technology kicking the CIO
in the face… being down for 2 days?
Pretty bad for their career! 
Laggard, Average or Leader in
Technology
Laggard, Average or Leader in
Technology
• Why is cloud computing not racing
ahead?
– Security risks abound…
– How does a businesses keep key data safe?
Look at the recent “release” of millions of
user profiles by a bank processing center…
Bad-Bad-Bad!!   
– Until data can be secured with confidence
(which is coming), the adoption will be slow.
Laggard, Average or Leader in
Technology
Laggard, Average or Leader in
Technology
• Are “clouds” ever any good for today’s
stuff?
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Yes: iPads/Netbooks, etc…
Don’t need much of a hard drive…
Ditto on power…
Spiffy and skinny, quite attractive!
Apps abound ;)
“Remember, cloud-based stuff is good fun for an
everyday user, but not for a business’ backbone.”
Website Analysis
Website for Customers
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Social Media
Flash Design with New Product
Good Design and Easy to Navigate!
Promotional Card Account Access
(VIP Club)
• Not a retailer but your partner.
• Misc Stand Items: Store Locator, Search
Website for Potential Employees
• Company is staying current.
• Horizontal expansion into the same
market (e.g. Champs).
• Management understands what is
necessary to maintain a corporate
advantage.
• Signs of stability.
Website for Investors
• This is more critical than the previous
reviews.
• Apps! Champs but no Foot Locker App.
• Multi-Platform Apps – Customers should
not have to worry about what phone they
buy!
• Websites should cross between divisions
(Up Selling!)
• More back-end information on the website
costs, security, and maintenance.
Summary
• We discussed:
– The corporate and technological aspects
– Organizational goals
– The potential of Foot Locker as a leader
Questions?