However, in the fiercely competitive market environment, operational management strategies are quite important for retailers to obtain a competitive advantage and access to greater income (Chase, 2001).However, in today’s fiercely competitive market environment, M&S should also adopt optimal strategy to obtain a stronger competitive by reducing human and material costs by exploring overseas cheap labors and improving their quality of service and giving full play to their creativity.Generally speaking, potential market segments should also have the following three conditions: 1) adequate, the reality of unmet demand or potential demand; 2) Enterprise has ability to provide products or services to meet these needs, and helping the can ...
3255 words (8.1 pages)
By defining the firm’s strategy of achieving competitive advantages, the firm could be positioned in the market.Combining the two approaches with the firm’s competitive scope – either industry-wide or single segment – Michael Porter has defined generic strategies as follows (Grant, 2010) (Figure 7): .H&M makes effort to differentiate its brand image from other fast-fashion retailers with competitive low price (ZavrÅ¡nik, 2011).The framework is widely used in industry analysis and is conducted by analysing five sources of competitive pressure: buyer power, supplier power, new entrants, substitutes, and rivalry (Grant, 2010) (see Figure 1).In addition, H&M expands product mix to make the most of sales opportunities, such as make-up...
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The essence of strategy lies in creating tomorrow’s competitive advantages faster than competitors mimic the ones you posses today (Gary Hamel & C K Prahalad) ... As M&S has decided to enter the market which is more competitive at price.Its competitive scope.Competitive Strategy is about being different.M&S takes every complaint seriously because no problem is small in business in this modern competitive world.
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In relation to the diamond porter’s competitive advantage in the market M&S hold a very strong position as it has withstand in the international market keeping in mind firms restructuring strategies which has helped to increase the productivity and innovativeness as per the demand of the customer.The M&S has some powerful strength as their competitive advantages to sustain in the market: .The competitive advantage helped the company to expands its business keeping in mind the futuristic vision in terms of diversification to help market development from the existing products by welcoming new products and make them exist in the global market this denotes the expansion matrix in terms of M&S as the company is on the edge of esta...
2915 words (7.3 pages)
In order to achieve competitive advantage M&S needs to focus on the following steps: .. M&S is offering different kinds of products like food, clothing and furniture.M&S is also facing a high competitive environment.M&S can gain competitive advantage through producing different products and services from those of its competitors.M&S can achieve better competitive advantage through managing the people at work in other words utilising human resources... Human resources can be source of competitive advantage.
2599 words (6.5 pages)
The value chain analysis singles out the set of specific activities practiced by a company that can create competitive advantage over the rival firms in the sector (Dess et al, 2004) .. At the stage of inbound logistics M&S keeps to absolute transparency about the origin of input materials and products.However, it recently started to significantly cut apparel prices and to try to be all things to all people, which risks devaluing the brand in the market where specialisation is becoming increasingly important (Armstrong, 2008).Besides, smart packaging provides convenience for customers and strong brand associations (M&S, 2007)... Human resource management can be considered strong in M&S. Internal organisation, training of em...
2795 words (7.0 pages)
We can also enumerate various techniques associated to this new approach: resourse audit, value chain analysis, activity mapping, core competence analysis, power/interest matrix, sinergy analysis, strategy evaluation techniques, SWOT analysis… etc.Accordingly, M&S should build its core competence by utilizing and combining its resources and competences, especially unique resources such as brand name and image, to develop new competitive advantages.In order to regain competitive advantage, Luc Vandevelde should consider the following list of recommendations.The competitive nature of the market that Marks & Spencer functions in is a big threat.Competitive Advantage .
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This is a clear competitive disadvantage compared to Tesco.Competitive Salary, Bonus Scheme, Holidays, Employee discount, Pension Plan, Additional benefits (like: discounted gym membership, savings on tickets for amusement parks, joining fees for health clubs and reductions at a variety of UK holiday resorts.).M&S stores have competitive disadvantages as compared to Tesco.M&S regularly checks the salaries against other retailers to make sure that it is competitive.The discussion has been described in detail about the core analysis of M&S’ internal and external environment, SWOT analysis of M&S has been included.
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The supplier getting to use the Marks and Spencer brand name associated with quality and then M&S marketing the products and getting a percentage of the profits made on sales.Some analysis is contained within the text and appendix but any additional analysis is detailed in Appendix 10 .Looking at the SWOT we can see that diversification and acquisitions are both on the SWOT as is a strong brand name, this led us to thinking what could M&S do?M&S’s clothing is well know as a ‘mature’ fashion range, though recently George Davis, the man behind George at Asda is about to launch a new spring collection with a brand new label.Also, it could be said that M&S has an over reliance on its own brand and shoppers cannot get their fa...
3083 words (7.7 pages)
It is evident that IKEA hasn’t got any direct competition which has also its cons as competition always keep the market alive and exciting therefore leave almost no choice with various people to not to avoid IKEA in favour of any other brand, but on high street level competitors like Argos and john Lewis have managed to grab their market share as IKEA being really big in the size of its establishment cannot be accommodated on the high street level where Argos has comfortably explored the gap and has become a bit of a threat to IKEA together with other like dfs and local furniture retailers which are not really considered a threat but surely considered, together with that a gap in high end market is also been dealt by IKEA with a differen...
2665 words (6.7 pages)
When the customers feel satisfied then will be prepared to commit themselves to future purchases from the same supplier, this can be viewed that the relationship gives M&S a real competitive advantages as well as economic ..At the moment, its strategy was unclear because they were trying to do everything to maintain its competitive advantage.It is a tough time for M&S and also the right time for a new broom, M&S should get lessons from past and look at more about what is happening in the market place and change itself from the old way of doing things to a brand-new image in order to sustain its competitive advantage and regain its leading position.The modernization of outlets, the retraining of employee and upgrading their ce...
4665 words (11.7 pages)
Moreover the price sensitivity of the majority of the consumers has increased leaving M&S in a less competitive position.Home sector, M&S needs to focus on things they know well to have competitive advantage to increase their market share.In order to regain competitive advantage, Luc Vandevelde should consider the following list of recommendations as 3 years plan (1st year to refocus the business, 2nd year to derive it and 3rd year to expand it): .M&S operates in a very competitive environment.Resource audit, value chain and SWOT analysis are the techniques to examine the activity of the M&S in order to reveal what was the basis of their competitive advantage.
4736 words (11.8 pages)
A ratio less than one for a period of time is a cause for concern; Marks and Spencer’s did have a healthy current ratio until 2003 but in the last couple of years they have dipped below one causing concern, whereas for example a competitive company such as Next has stayed consistent for the last 3-4 years.The SWOT analysis shows that M&S is a very well known company although is poor at keeping up with fashion changes and therefore must be wary of changes and regard them as a threat.Porter’s five forces model (below) can be used to help make an analysis of the competitive environment for a company within a certain industry.They also launched ‘Per Una’ a brand of clothing specifically targeting the fashion-conscious women.A company suc...
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Porter’s Five Forces which is proposed by Porter (1985) become the important tools to find out five competitive forces for each company.This paper will focus on situation analysis and competitive analysis to understand external and internal environment and understand their resources and power.Being different from other fast fashion brand such as TX Maxx which usually advertises its brand through many norms of advertising under the big campaign named “Big Labels, Small Prices”, Primark has neither advertise nor pay much money for celebrity endorses.Hence, with the aim of understanding customers and competitors in US fashion industry and competitive advantages of Primark, this section focuses on using this model – Porter’s Five Forces incl...
4551 words (11.4 pages)
The market players who are the biggest threat to the brand as their are leading stores which are in close competition with M&S could attract the customers with better quality products and differentiated prices, brands like Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury in food retails; and Gap, Next, Topshop in its clothing chain... As stated by Andrew (2001), the Porter’s generic strategies framework assist the business to evaluate a competitive atmosphere.Instead of focusing only on M&S food, it should cover major segments in the market so as to make the brand value high and differentiated product line.The new fashions available and the changing dressing mode are creating high competition between Marks and Spencer and other competitive companies.Temp...
2598 words (6.5 pages)
With the increased competition, companies are taking advantage of IT to improve its Supply Chain Management (SCM) and using it to ensure a competitive advantage is gained.Short lead times is Inditex one of the most important competitive advantages over its competitors.On the other hand brand identification and production differentiation plays the significant role, because brand identification creates a barrier to entry.The fashion retail industry is a large, mature and highly competitive industry.The apparel industry, due to its low barriers of entry and declined obstacles to trade among nations, is one of the most highly competitive industries in the world.
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Also investing in commercial websites before going for a proper physical presence would help the company get an insight into the customers expectations, buying patterns, trends and also create brand awareness( which M&S failed doing so earlier).STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE| CURRENT SCENARIO| ACTION PLAN| To transform M&S from being a traditional british retailer to a modern international & multi channel retailer| Appointed Marc Boland as the new CEO & devised a strategy to target Asian,Russian& Gulf markets| Devise a more committed & standard implementation strategy by proper research .| To re-enter the European markets| Trying to buy back the old stores sold during the hasty exit strategy| Make a comeback by changing the...
1629 words (4.1 pages)
It is considered as an important part of planning tool set (Kawatra, 2013).Its analysis consists of 5 fundamental competitive forces: .The airline industry is very competitive as they are competing for the same passengers and switching cost between airline operators is low.Is industry buyers more concentrated than the industry it purchases from?| Y-H| Because there is a very competitive industry price discrimination mostly happens | Y-M| There will be more supplier.| Do buyers purchase in large volumes?An airline with a strong brand name and incentives can often attract a customer even if its prices are higher.| Importance of reputation or established brand in purchase decision?| Y-H| The competition is based on price| Y-H| The competi...
2078 words (5.2 pages)
Moreover, H&M could leverage on its expertise on logistics and brand value to new acquisition to improve its business and revenue.With this strategy, it enables H&M to grow further by entering into the new markets and products/service opportunities by incorporating the four core competencies of the ability to create brand awareness, ability to integrate all functions at all organization level with the use of IT system, a strong conservative fund management and the ability to enhance the employee’s performance which is implied by the Ansoff product/market growth matrix diagram as shown below.Next, H&M could look into acquisition of potential and worthy brand (be it local or overseas market) as mean to achieve expansion growth....
2383 words (6.0 pages)
The third force is the threats from the bargaining power of buyers, this is strong for both M&S and the entire food retailing industry with a large number of alternative suppliers, hence, the aggressive pricing strategy which causes strong competitive rivalry in the industry and is getting intensified because of little or no differentiation in the basic product offered.UK consumer have a loyal tendency particularly towards brand. Brand repositioning: this technique if used to create fresh feeling in the minds of customers for the brand after frequent intervals.For instance, the company should look into a partnership with the more current and competitive players in the retail industry.Moreover brand repositioning requires a lot of wo...
1791 words (4.5 pages)
This strategy could help M&S maintain their strong brand name and brand recognition with high quality products and services.Although M&S’s rivals changes to low-cost strategy because of economic downturn effect, M&S still keeps their strategy which creating their brand recognition and values for brand name.M&S has healthy relationship with its employees and its pays competitive salaries as per market.It not only helps to identiys the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation but also determines its competitive advantages.The economic recession has not only made the clothing market more competitive but has also exerted pressure through various other factors to change the market trends and social factors affecting the ec...
3556 words (8.9 pages)
(Ryanair, 2010) The successful of Ryanair in such an unattractiveness industry are its people’s competencies that make sustainable competitive advantage, as suggested by Hamel and Prahalad.In order to gain competitive advantage from competitors, Coca-cola and Pepsi-cola have spent large investment in advertising and promotion to build strong brand identify among consumers and become a barrier for new entrants.(Campbell D., Stonehouse G., Houston B., 2002) It highlights the core competency of an organization are the main sources of sustainable competitive advantage.The airlines who much depends on travel agents forced to reduce fare price to keep long-term relationship that able to sustain competitive advantage in the market.Organizations...
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Alignment – efficiency of employees in increased greatly due to availability of easy to use portal and easy access to the required information for the operation by using this system, the employees are in position with overall organizational objectives and can generate more quick reports and do analysis.Licensed coffee shops and chain kiosks which is the desire to reach customers in a variety of locations eventually caused Starbucks to abandon its policy of only selling through company owned outlets.* Information system capabilities – In an era of rapidly changing environment and technological developments it is necessary for Starbucks management information system to be flexible in adding more evaluation and data analysis tools to it’s c...
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The General Motors Company has been on the forefront in terms of developing brands as one of its competitive strategies in the market.Brand positioning is often attained not by the nature of the brand itself, but through the nature of marketing practices that are deployed by the company in its quest to familiarize the brand in the market.Since its establishment, Saturn has emerged to be a strong and independent brand, irrespective of the fact that the brand still lies under the umbrella of General Motors Company.The brand accessed the market quickly, enabling the brand to quickly attain a respectable position in the market.The General Motors Company poses competitive threat to other giant companies in the market like Toyota and Ford.
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In his model he also discussed that in order to develop a competitive environment with in an industry there should be rivalry so that firms take more strategic decisions and learn to compete.When there are number of players in industry with huge investments and especially with brand name rivalry turns in shape of innovation.In order to develop competitive advantage, the decision-maker should understand in detail the enterprise’s skills and resources, and after that manage in a way that the business delivers superior customer value to target segments at a cost that leads to profit.There are many tools for competitive analysis but the important ones are ;Porter’s five forces model, PEST Analysis, Group mapping, Pricing and quantity dynamic...
2970 words (7.4 pages)
The firm has to give franchise to the people who will conduct business ethical or else their brand value will decline in that market segment.The new markets will help the clothes business grow internationally and M&S brand image will further appreciate.Therefore the firm has used many strategies to diversify and expand its business in order to sustain in the competitive market.The author has used many business measuring tools (BCG Matrix, Ansoff Matrix, Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis, Value Chain Analysis, Stake holder analysis, etc) appropriately to collect relevant data on each of the SBU’s and on overall business.The brand value of M&S can even help the firm to venture into new market segment and attract new customers as the produ...
3664 words (9.2 pages)
Its strong marketing arm has managed to raise brand awareness among consumers globally.In addition to the firm’s commitment to procure sustainable materials for product design has future enhanced brand image.(b) Analyse the strategic capabilities providing competitive advantages for H & M .Moreover, utilising social media also attracts the tech savvy users to share and expand the brand name at low cost.(a) Based on the preceding analyses, conduct a SWOT analysis on H & M. .
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The products are already at a best price and it is also one of the competitive advantages.Firstly, the influences of new brand or store chain are growing in the international market.For the entering of new brand, it’s important that one can stand for the harsh competitions.They are the entire well-known brand in the world.A lot of brand inside .
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Price: Best price is part of H&M business concept and one of the competitive advantages.H&M good brand image has motivated, attracted skill manpower and motivate them to unit and also benefited by its commitment.Furthermore their 60 years of experience in this industry is another competitive advantages of company when coming to cost saving.Strong brand image .Source: Adapted with the permission of The Free Press, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., from Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performanceby Michael E. Porter.
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506.8 .. An internal and corporate analysis in terms of strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) will assist in gaining an understanding of where Marks & Spencer’s is currently in terms of strengths and where improvement is required within the business and what outside environmental threats it may face as well as what new opportunities are available to the company in the short and medium term.It has a very strong Brand Name awareness.Food has medium industry attractiveness but M&S’s market share being only 3.2%; growth in market share, brand equity and distribution channel access can all be classified as medium/low, however, brand equity is high (leading provider of high quality food).Business unit Strength is anal...
3017 words (7.5 pages)