THE CONTAINER STORE: CASE STUDY

The Container Store: Case Study



The Container Store and the competitive advantage

Introduction

The concept of globalization has made the role of human resource more complicated. This creates new challenges. These new challenges include management of employees, devising employees' regulations and implementing miraculous benefits of technology in performing various practices related to the management of human resources such as online benefits program, e-learning and automotive payroll system. Now, HR or management of people is so vital that it helps the organization to gain competitive advantage. One of the worth mentioning example with this regard is of the Container Store. The position of the Container Store in the industry of home organization is quite strong, and the main reason behind that is their people management that is Human Resource Management. This paper would explore what functions of HR that help the Container Store to achieve competitive advantage.

About the organization

Container Store is an organization that belongs to the storage and organizing retail industry. The company established in 1978. They deal with the work of organization of the house. They design products such as accessories and containers that help people in organizing their house. In the field of house organization, Container Store occupies a strong and competitive position.

Position of the Container Store in the industry

The segment of the organization and storage is an integral part of the home furnishing industry. Within this category, of the home and furnishing industry one name that emerged strongly and has occupied a sustainable position is of the Container Store. The Container Store possesses a strong hold within this niche market of retail category. The container Store was founded in the year 1978. Since then they have travelled the long journey of success with the help of their effective strategy of people management. A number of organizations made an attempt to occupy an appropriate position in this industry, but they did not succeed as The Container store. The recruitment and training policy, culture of the organization, philosophy, vision and mission provide the company with an advantage over competitors. The opinion of Sharon Tindell the vice president of The Container Store regarding this matter is as follows:

The Container Store and Organized Living are considered as the organizations that provide special products particularly related to this field. Even if we compare the progress of The Container Store with Organized Living it would be revealed to us that the container Store is doing far better than the Organized Living. In 2005, Organized Living had to face a bankruptcy in an attempt to expand their business. After that Organized Living preferred to shut down their business. Williams-Sanoma, which is also, a specialty store in the field of storage and home organization products also consider closing their 11 specialty stores. So, in an industry where all organizations prefer to close down their organization, The Container store is enjoying a strong position (Gubman 2004, pp. 116).

Comparison of the strategies of the Container Store and competitors

The Container Store adopts a policy of hiring ...