Final answer:
Investing in an assembly line for making shoes at large volumes does not align with CustomFoot's customized shoe strategy as it suggests a shift towards mass production, deviating from their focus on personalized and custom-made products.
The correct answer is options d. Investing in assembly line for making shoes at large volumes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The change that does NOT align with CustomFoot's strategy of selling customized shoes is d. Investing in an assembly line for making shoes at large volumes.
CustomFoot's business model is focused on personalization and custom-made products. Investment in machinery that can handle a diverse range of materials and high-accuracy scanners aligns with this strategy by facilitating customized production. However, an assembly line is typically associated with mass production, which contradicts CustomFoot’s model of individualized shoes. The introduction of an assembly line could undermine the customization element that is central to CustomFoot’s offering.
Moreover, the history of shoe manufacturing shifted from individual cobblers to mass production with the help of unskilled labor to reduce costs, emphasizing standardization over customization. In contrast, CustomFoot’s approach is akin to the traditional shoemaker who measured their feet to create a personal, crafted item. As CustomFoot thrives on the uniqueness and personalized nature of its products, a transition towards mass production would dilute their specialization and potentially alienate their customer base seeking custom-made shoes.
The correct answer is options d. Investing in assembly line for making shoes at large volumes.