Competitive strategies: UK supermarkets

Competitive strategies: UK supermarkets Research background UK retail supermarkets employ some competitive approaches in their business, this study emphases mostly on these marketing techniques. This study describes future of business strategies used by chief retail supermarkets in the United Kingdom. Retail strategy can be explained as the general proposal which is taken in action by retailers for gaining achievements in the competition of supermarkets. (Barmen, B. Evans, J. 2006). Recently extraordinary competition originated in the environment of retail supermarkets. Huge investment in infrastructure done by major supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco, Morrison and Sainsbury increased their product quality. Advancement in technology, increase in the range of products, quality and pace resulted vast advancement in supermarket industry of the United Kingdom. (Harvey, 2000). According to the market shares owned by major supermarkets in the United Kingdom according to the statistics of 2006 March 9th, first four supermarkets in the United Kingdom own 74.4% of the overall market. Among the four Tesco is at the first position with a marketing share of 30.4% in the United Kingdom. Main competitors of Tesco in the United Kingdom market are Morrison, Sainsbury and Asda. Asda has a marketing share of 16.6% while Sainsbury Morrison hold marketing shares of 16.2 % and 11.2% correspondingly. In UK competition among retail supermarkets are tougher but Tesco is most successful among all supermarket chains in United Kingdom. (Source: BBC news, 9 March 2006). The above mentioned four supermarket giants dominate UKs retailing markets. Currently Tesco, Sinsburrys, Asda are the top retail supermarkets rules grocery retailing in the UK. The industry construction is characterized by many attributes such as greater store size, lowering prices of goods and adopting different formats to satisfy the consumers expectation. (Andrew Holingworth, 2004). Research question The first and foremost question focused on this research is: How effective is the competitive strategy employed by giant supermarket in UK? With these competitive strategy how these giant supermarket each other withstand in this current competitive market? How the competitive strategy helps in maintaining customer relationship management and the sales of the supermarket? Also,To identify the overall performance of these supermarkets. Literature review Review of literature is a body of content that aims to reconsider the vital points of existing knowledge on a specific topic. This literature review is done to recognize the existing knowledge in the section of competitive strategy employed by giant supermarkets.. According to Porter ME, 1980 competitive strategy can be defined as the â€Å"plan for how a firm will compete, formulated after evaluating how its strengths and weaknesses compare to those of its competitors. For example, a small meatpacking firm may decide to concentrate on a special niche product offered in limited areas after determining it cannot compete on price with major competitors.† Competitive strategy consists of the actions which are taken to attract customers, to withstand the competitive pressures of the market and also to help and strengthen the firms market position. The main objective of the competitive strategy is to earn a competitive benefit or advantage and to cultivate a clientele of loyal customers and knock the sock off the rivals ethically and honorably.(Philip Kotler, 2001) Tesco holds the largest market share which is of 31.6% for which the Tesco is controlling the large sector of the current retail market and also they have 50% of grocery market where as Sainsburys has about 22% of the current market share. Tesco sells a very huge variety of product range and also they do buy the products in a massive volume and sell those goods cheap, as considered to Sainsburys they only purchase goods of popular brand name and sell their own brand products in the super market. The Tesco has the super power to have their super market which is at the main location, it has the largest acquisition which enable Tesco to acquire nearly about 1/3rd of the retail market but concerned as Sainsbury they do not have the power to acquire land.(Julian finch, the Guardian) To sell every product, every where and everyone target which includes in the national and overseas, success level has been achieved by Tesco. With introduction of this strategy Sainsburys should have to work hard, and will have a hard time keeping up the Sainsburys giant retail market. The giant supermarket Tesco put effort to attract the people from all level of peoples or customers where as Sainsburys tries to attract customers with the middle , average class people by their middle class value or price. Tesco put more efforts to reduce the price and attract the customers where as Sainsbury keeps concentration in particularly in food, i.e. the quality of food they provide to the customers. After several years of decline in market, Sainsburys have emerged with independent ideas in stabilizing the current competitive environment. In the year of 2004 chief executive of Sainsburys Mr. Justin King introduced new recovery programs to attract the customers and to retain them using competitive strategy method and this had increased their market shares from 15.8%.customer relationship management is introduced as a new discipline which can create and nourish the sales and profitability(Julia Finch, The Guardian). During the period 1999 asda was owned by the US corporation company Wal-mart, it is the only one supermarket in United Kingdom which has the potential to be a thorn for the Tesco   as currently Asda in the world is eight times biggest company in the world , compared to annual sales against Tescos. Despite of the very tough trading competition environment Asda has grew up its total sales in a ‘high single digits which is excluding the petrol for a period upto September 30th. A figure which was published by the TNS shows that Asda is growing in UK market twice in speed. Even at the time when customer are price conscious supermarket Asda still continues with quality goods in cheap price agenda At a time when customers are increasingly price conscious, ASDA continues to drive its low cost agenda enabling it to fund lower prices for customers. As a result it has further strengthened its price advantage over its competitors. ASDAs profit grew ahead of target with good cost control despite rising energy costs. The delivery of ASDAs sustainability programme has contributed to lowering operating costs as well as reducing its carbon footprint. Methodology The technique for examination taken for this research proposal is qualitative research to obtain descriptive and qualitative understanding about the competitive strategy followed in giant supermarket. Errors occurred can be found in eloquent way with quantitative examination of information. Qualitative analysis/examination is defined as â€Å"the data collected in relates to the demographic or the behavioral of the respondent under the study† by Kothari (1990). This study is conducted to acquire qualitative as well as expressive understanding of causes and means which are connected to the completive approach with Tesco, Sainsburys and Tesco. Competitive strategy includes many processes like technology, innovation, process and combining people. Supermarket giants use this technique; in this method consultation has been conducted to disclose outlooks, philosophies, primary inspiration and emotional state on competitive approach engaged in major hypermarkets on client correlation. Data collection The data collected for analysis is from both primary and secondary data. Primary data is the data directly collected by the researcher himself. Primary data is original in nature and is directly from the first hand experience. Secondary data is collected from some other sources which were collected for some other purpose. Secondary data collection is cost effective and time effective. In-depth interview and direct observation would be done. They are cost effective and take less time. Face to face interview will be conducted with the staffs and employees of Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys and also a keen direct observation will be made to know the satisfaction of the customers and sales effectiveness, also the strategy method used in customer relationship management strategy and the other strategy followed is observed to know what attract the customers and retain customers. Datas are also collected from secondary sources like books, journals, newspaper archives, internet etc. The data collected for the research is through non probability convenience sampling method. Convenience sampling as word suggests is the sample selected by the investigator by his personal and convenient interest. It helps in focusing into new insights and ideas into the research problem. Convenience sampling method takes less time and is cost effective Data analysis Data analysis is the most important section of the research. Data analysis enables to understand and obtain the exact result of the research. Here data is analyzed through SWOT and PESTEL analysis. The data that is collected from direct observation, interviews ,questionnaires and other sources is evaluated and examined to understand the strength, weakness, opportunity and external threats and also evaluates macro factors like political, economical, social, technological, ecologicaland legal. Enhancement in research techniques Research impact Time scale Activities Nov 09 Dec 09 Jan 10 Feb 10 W1 W2 W3 W 4 W 1 W 2 W 3 W 4 W 1 W2 W3 W4 W1 Topic selection x Read journals and magazines x x Analysis on the topic x x Data collection x x X Preparation of proposal x x Proposal submission x Feedback x Preparation for data collection x x x Data Analysis X x Further literature review x Submission of draft x Draft revising x Print x Submission X

Universal Robina Corporation

I, Janice A. Sandoval, 22 years old, a graduate from the University of the Philippines under the degree of BS Food Technology, am applying to become a part of the Research and Development Team of your company. I have read that you urgently need someone who has a background for food production and development.I was a consistent member of the honor roll and had graduated on time. Way back in 2004, I have been equipped of the knowledge regarding food development at our university and have undergone rigorous trainings at Edward Keller as a Quality Assurance for my on the job training or practicum. If I will be hired here, I can assure you that I will be one of the contributors in the success of your company.As references, you can consult the attached resume in this letter. I will be willing to attend any interview for the faster processing of this application.Thank you very much.Sincerely Yours,Janice A. SandovalAlison Doyle. Sample Cover Letter – Block Format. 2007. New York Comp any Times.  Ã‚   September 3,2007. http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/coverblock.htm About Universal Robina Corporation. 2007. September 3, 2007  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Information Technology Management-Case 8

Opening Case Questions â€Å"Application: Demonstrate why Zappos would need to implement SCM, CRM, and ERP for a connected corporation? † based on the case Zappos Is Passionate for Customers. Zappos would need to implement SCM, CRM, and ERP for a connected corporation because these are all important part of business. SCM is the management of information flows between and among activities in a supply chain to maximize total supply chain effectiveness and corporate profitability. SCM systems create the integrations or tight process and information linkages between all participants in the supply chains.Zappos would need to implement SCM because even though they have built an extranet that provides its vendors with all kinds if product information, the SCM would bring it all together and join all members of the supply chain, instead of Zappos trying to link them together one by one. CRM is a means if managing all aspects of a customer’s relationship with an organization to increase customer loyalty, retention and profitability. There are many benefits of CRM and if Zappos was to implement CRM they would be better able to treat customers as individuals by gaining important insights into their shopping preferences and shopping behaviors.Furthermore Zappos could ensure that these customers receive the highest levels of customer service and are offered the opportunity to purchase new products. Finally, ERP integrates all departments and functions throughout an organization into a single IT system ( or integrates set of IT systems), so that employees can make decisions by viewing enterprise wide information about all business operations. This could help Zappos maintain a level of consistency between all departments and would allow employees to make decisions based on that consistency throughout the company.

Essay on Gambling Addiction - 1782 Words

Gambling Addiction Gambling affects the person doing it and anyone who is close to them. Through personal experience getting hooked on gambling is mainly from the action and thrill of everything associated with gambling. When gambling they are part of the action and not just watching people play a game for money. If one is truly a pathological gambler, just like lying they cannot stop unless they are helped. When gambling it is very difficult to come to the realization that one is addicted. They simply do not want to believe this because all there fun must finally come to an end. If it does not they will be on track to mess up everything they have worked so hard to accomplish. When someone is addicted to something, the addiction stems†¦show more content†¦These gamblers have been responsible and moral in there early lives but are conflict avoiders and have often times suffered from some form of verbal or physical abuse. And now have a desperate need for empowerment and gain it in there escape gambling. These individuals usually poses low self-esteem, and become manipulative as the problem develops. The problem gambler has a far higher probability of long-term cure through abstinence unlike the action gambler these people usually peruse help within 6 months to 3 years of the problems inception.†(Diamond 2001 p.3) This information shows him two very important points. First this information shows you two different types of gamblers and how they become put into a certain category. Second this information shows him what the two types of gamblers lack in skills or are above and beyond most normal people. This information is given mainly to fill him in on how and why a certain type of gambler is what he or she is, and why they do this to themselves and others. â€Å"Current estimates suggest that three percent of the adult population will experience a serious problem with gambling that will result in significant debt, family disruption, job losses, criminal activity or suicide. Pathological gambling affects the gamblers, their families, their employers and the community. As the gamblers go through the phases of their addiction, they spend lessShow MoreRelatedGambling Addiction : Illegal Gambling2199 Words   |  9 PagesGambling Addiction Walking into the flashing lights, the happy people and seeing people win; are all the start of a bad beginning. Gamblers have a different mindset them some and they need help most of the time. The worse thing for a person just starting out is to see people win because they believe they are going to do the same thing and even more. 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