Circuit City was an American consumer electronics company founded by Samuel Wurtzel in 1949. By 1990s, Circuit City became the second largest consumer electronics store in the United States with annual sales of $12 billion. On March 8 2009, Circuit City shutdown all its stores. On January 8th at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Circuit City CEO announced a comeback and relaunch of Circuit City into “a dynamic, a social-focused ecommerce site” and a new business strategy for its retail stores12 . In this case study, assume that Circuit City hired you as the new chief information officer (CIO) to help relaunch the company into a global e-commerce multinational company. Create a PowerPoint presentation containing the IT strategic plan that will address Circuit City ecommerce initiatives. 8. Discuss the IT based risks associated with global e-commerce 9. Discuss how IT can leverage innovative technologies such as social media, big data and business intelligence to provide value to the business 10. Discuss the future or emerging technologies that would be leveraged to give Circuit City a competitive advantage.

Circuit City, once a prominent player in the American consumer electronics industry, faced a swift decline that ultimately led to the closure of all its stores in 2009. However, in 2018, the company announced its comeback and plans to relaunch as a global e-commerce multinational company. As the newly appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Circuit City, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive IT strategic plan to drive the success of the company’s e-commerce initiatives.

One of the key challenges associated with global e-commerce is the inherent risks that come with operating in diverse markets. This includes potential cybersecurity threats, data breaches, and legal and regulatory compliance issues. To mitigate these risks, the IT strategic plan should include implementing robust security measures, such as firewalls, encryption techniques, and multi-factor authentication. Additionally, regular risk assessments and vulnerability testing should be conducted to identify and address any emerging threats.

Another critical aspect of the IT strategic plan is leveraging innovative technologies to provide value to the business. Social media, for example, can be utilized to enhance customer engagement and increase brand awareness. By incorporating social media platforms into the e-commerce strategy, Circuit City can effectively reach a broader audience and foster a sense of community around the brand.

Big data and business intelligence are other innovative technologies that can be leveraged to gain valuable insights into customer preferences, purchasing patterns, and market trends. By collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data, Circuit City can make informed business decisions, optimize supply chain operations, and personalize the customer experience.

Furthermore, the IT strategic plan should consider the future or emerging technologies that can give Circuit City a competitive advantage. One such technology is augmented reality (AR), which has the potential to revolutionize the online shopping experience. By allowing customers to virtually visualize products in their own environment, AR can bridge the gap between online and offline shopping and enhance customer satisfaction.

Another emerging technology that Circuit City can leverage is artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered chatbots can provide personalized recommendations and assist customers in real-time, improving the overall shopping experience. Moreover, AI algorithms can analyze customer data to predict future trends, optimize pricing strategies, and identify new market opportunities.

In conclusion, the IT strategic plan for Circuit City’s e-commerce initiatives should address the risks associated with global e-commerce, leverage innovative technologies such as social media, big data, and business intelligence, and consider future or emerging technologies that can give the company a competitive advantage. By carefully considering these factors, Circuit City can position itself as a leader in the global e-commerce arena and successfully relaunch its brand.