WALMART STORES (US)

1. See Table below:
   WALMART STORES (US)
   Year # of Stores
   2012 3,868
   2013 4,005
   2014 4,203
   2015 4,516
   2016 4,574
   2017 4,672
   2018 4,761
   2019 4,769
   2020 4,756
   Source: https://www-statista-com.proxyau.wrlc.org/statistics/269425/total-number-of-walmart-stores-in-the-united-states-by-type/
   For all parts of this question, cut and paste your answers (including tables and visuals) from MS Excel into the MS Word file. Upload the supporting MS Excel file as a separate attachment.
   a. Fit a linear trend line to the data. Cut and paste the visual from MS Excel below. Display the equation and R squared on the visual. (2.5 points)

b. Fit a polynomial, degree 2 trend line to the data. Cut and paste the visual from MS Excel below Display the equation and R squared on the visual. (2.5 points)

c. Which of the two trend lines (linear or polynomial) would you prefer? Provide your reasons (Max 50 words) (2.5 points)

d. Predict # of Stores for 2021. Show your calculations. (2.5 points)

2. Use the values of M, P, and Q from the table below and apply the Bass Model to compute Sales from Innovators, Sales from Imitators, and Total Sales for periods 1 through 59.
   M P Q
   200000 0.002 0.09

For all parts of this question, cut and paste your answers (including tables and visuals) from MS Excel into the MS Word file. Upload the supporting MS Excel file as a separate attachment.

a. Report the Total Sales in Period 44 here_________ (Two decimal places) (5points)

b. Display the plot of Total Sales (St) on the Y-axis against time Period(t) on the X-axis in the space below (5points):

c. Display the plot of Total Sales (St) on the Y-axis against Cumulative Sales (Yt-1) on the X-axis in the space below (5points):

3. 
   a. In your own words, describe the key differences between the Bass Model and the Roger’s Five Factor model for predicting product diffusion. (Max 100 words) (2.5 points)

b. In your own words, explain the de-merits and merits of skipping the “Testing” phase of the Phase Gate approach for New Product Development (Max 100 words) (2.5 points)

Sample Solution