...Table of Content 1. Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------- P.3 2. Literature Review ------------------------------------------------------- P.4-5 3. Company Background------------------------------------------- P.6 4. Comparison of C&B Strategies ------------------------------------- P.7-8 5. Cultural Background -------------------------------------------------- P.9-12 6. Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------- P.13 7. References --------------------------------------------------------------- P.14 2/14 1. Introduction The comparison of human resource practices of Colgate-Palmolive Company in U.S. and Marks and Spencer (M&S) in Hong Kong the effectiveness of their HRM strategies. ‘Human Resource Management (HRM) as a distinctive approach to employment management who seeks to achieve competitive advantage through the strategic deployment of a highly committed and capable workforce, using an array of cultural, structural and personnel techniques.’ [Storey, J. (1995) Human Resource Management: A Critical Text. London: Routledge] 2. Literature Review 2.1 Models of International Human Resource Management 2.1 a “Human resource management issues, functions, policies and practices that result from the strategic activities of multinational enterprises and that impact the international concerns and goals of those enterprises.” [Schuler, Dowling a...
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...whether an M&S Simply Food convenience store would be profitable when located in Complex Desjardins, Montreal. In the U.K. Simply Food possess a strong brand image and wide-variety of products that emphasize quality. Although considered more expensive than competing stores To see if the chain will have the same level of success in Montreal, we first analyzed the fundamentals and competitive landscape of the industry. Once a gap in the market was identified, we used quantitative research practices to examine each of the marketing mix factors involved in establishing the store. Our findings will indicate whether the location and consumer pool under consideration will RESEARCH OBJECTIVES * Identify the M&S Simply Food products and services, and the factors that drive the chain’s success in the U.K. * Analyze the market fundamentals of the convenience store sector in Montreal, and identify whether a market gap for quality, high-end stores such as M&S Simply food exists * Assess whether M&S Simply Food will be profitable in Complex Desjardins based on the following factor: (i) Location (ii) Consumer Demographic (iii) Consumer Preferences (iv) Competition & Pricing * Propose key operating and marketing strategies to ensure the success of M&S Simply food in Complex Desjardins. METHODOLOGY Industry Knowledge Exploratory research was employed to gain understanding of the U.K. convenience market and lean how the M&S...
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... MARKS AND SPENCERS – PLACE MODULE TUTOR: JAYA AKUNURI SEMINAR TUTOR: RULA AL-ABDULRAZAK CONTENTS Page Introduction 4 Abstract 4 Distribution Channel 5-6 Distribution Strategies 7-8 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10-11 INTRODUCTION Few producers sell their goods direct to the consumers, however most use third parties or intermediaries to bring their products to the market. They try to forge a distribution channel- a set of independent organisation involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by the consumer or business user. This report will examine the way Marks and Spencer’s sell their goods direct or indirect to the consumers. The following features will also be examined: • How M&S channel...
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...Marks & Spencer Marks & Spencer was founded on 1884 as a market stall by Marks. It became Marks & Spencer in 1894 as a partnership with Spencer. From that humble beginning Marks & Spencer became leader in the industry. And for more than half a century M & Spencer was the epitome of enlightened capitalism. It dominated the British high streets and provided shoppers with quality and value clothing unrivalled by competitors. It was one of Britain’s largest high profile retailers selling variety of goods and services such as clothes, food, furniture and loan services. But its glory has started to crumble when it profits began to fall since 1998. M & S has been facing their worst times ever. Their problems began at the start of financial year April 1999. They suffered almost from financial ruins. Since the event of its failure, M & S has been taking more than several attempts to recover their losses. Extensive studies and researches have been conducted to find out the root causes so as to come up with appropriate strategies for development. Most of the studies started with the company’s profile. Below is an analysis of the company’s profile and the validity of one strategic management models to Marks & Spencer’ experiences. Marks & Spencer’s organization culture is characterized as a reflection of “taken for granted fashion” that is an attitude shared by members of the organization. The beliefs and basic assumptions operate unconsciously among the members and also exist at the organizational...
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...Marks and Spencer (M&S) is one of the many well-known British retailers; boasting over 700 stores in UK only and a work force of over 78,000 people world-wide.1 Marks and Spencer manages four (4) major sections, clothing, food, home and financial services. In clothing, marks and Spencer offer women’s wear, lingerie, menswear, children’s wear and footwear. For food, they offer fresh foods, ready meals, food for special occasions and wine. In the home section, they vend designer furniture, for example Autograph. With over 21 million people visiting the stores each week, M&S has become the number one provider of women wear and lingerie in the UK, and are rapidly growing their market share in men wear, kids wear and home.2 The clothing and home ware sales account for 49% of its business whilst 51% is in food i.e. fresh produce, groceries, partly-prepared meals and ready meals.3 In 2007; M&S unveiled the Plan A- a £200m project to become carbon neutral by 2012 as part of a contribution to limit climate change. “Through Plan A we are working with our customers and our suppliers to combat climate change, reduce waste, use sustainable new materials, trade ethically and help our customers to lead healthier lifestyles”4 Business Strengths and Weaknesses: M&S have been known for their brand and its awareness worldwide, which has resulted to be one of their strongest assets 5. M&S is the leading clothes retailer in UK and has managed to offer more choices and excellent...
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...) Executive Summary Marks & Spencer is a company which had a history of 56 years and operating till now. The co-founder is actually Michael Marks and later joined by Thomas Spencer in 1894 to create Marks & Spencer. The main product which produced by Marks & Spencer is clothing line and then expand to food industries. Marks & Spencer are successful because of they know how to apply the sourcing strategies within their supplier around the world. There are two types of strategies implemented by Marks & Spencer, combination of in-house and third party manufacturing for food s line and third party contracting or sourcing for clothing section. Tesco is the choice from us to compete with Marks &Spencer; Tesco had their own sourcing strategy to compete with their rival within the same industries line such as group food sourcing (GSF) and regional supply base making the right product at affordable pricing. Tesco do developed its own brand which is cheaper in price and better qualities control. The last sourcing Strategies is Sourcing global, which they have contract with the supplier around the world. The sourcing strategy for Marks and Spencer has disadvantages and advantages which affect the company performance. Lastly, we recommended enhancement in their sourcing strategy by comply with China supplier in Clothing line or green field investment in China. Company Background (Mark & Spencer) The years of Marks & Spencer established was in 1958,...
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...Strategic Planning of Marks and Spencer Group Executive Summary: In this report a step by step analysis of Marks and Spencer group strategic planning is presented. Mark and Spencer is one of the biggest retail company in UK and leading company producing women apparels. The report is begun with analyzing various external environment of the company that includes STEEP analysis and it helps to understand the external environment of the company. After that the report covers the business plan of the company with its strategic planning section, and how the company is able to implement its strategic planning. Whereas the focus of strategic planning is on the whole organization and the focus of the business plan is on a particular product or service. Contents Executive Summary: 2 Introduction and Company background: 4 Task 1 5 1.1 The importance of external factors affecting Marks and Spencer Group: 5 1.2 Analyze the needs and expectations of stakeholders of Marks and Spencer Group: 7 1.3 Analyze the major changes taking place in the external environment that will affect strategy of M&S: 8 Task 2 8 2.1 Use appropriate tools to analyze the effects of current business plans 8 2.2 Review the position of M&S in its current market 9 2.3 Evaluate the competitive strengths and weaknesses of M&S 10 Task 3 10 3.1 Use modeling tools to develop strategic options for M&S 10 3.2 Develop a comparative understanding of activity from organization...
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...Ethics and Sustainable development Mark&Spencer Plan A analysis Bao Quoc Nguyen Ethics and Sustainable Development Mark and Spencer Plan A with Oxfam Table of Contents MARK & SPENCER PLC ................................................................................................................... 3 COMPANY OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................ 3 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................... 3 HISTORY .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 SWOT ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................................ 4 PESTLE ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................................... 5 OUTLINE SOME PROBLEM FACING RETAILERS IN UK .........................................
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...Instructor’s Manual CASE TEACHING NOTES Marks & Spencer Nardine Collier and Gerry Johnson 1. Introduction This case study is about why one of the world’s most famous retails, Marks & Spencer, ran into trouble at the end of the 1990s and how it attempted to manage a programme of change to overcome those problems. It is therefore useful to explore issues concerned with organisational culture, strategic drift, strategic choice and the management of change. The case covers both the history of Marks & Spencer throughout the last century and, in more detail, from 1998 to 2004, the period when it moved from a position of market dominance to one in which it was deemed to be a take-over target. The case charts the attempts by its different chief executives to address the problems during this time and, therefore, the various change initiatives that were mounted. 2. Position of the case The case study relates, in particular, to the problems and means of managing strategic change in Marks & Spencer. So it is particularly related to the coverage of strategic inertia and strategic drift in chapter 1 and programmatic design and change in chapter 10. With this in mind it might be taught at the end of the strategy course. However, it could also be used as a case to require students to analyse the reasons for the problems of Marks & Spencer, not only in terms of organisational culture, but also in terms of the market and competitive position of the firm. In this sense it could be...
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...Marks and Spencer IB209 Marketing Analysis Anshul Maini 1036526 Marks and spencer also called as M&S and Marks and Sparks was found in the year 1884 by two people Michael Marks and Tom spencer (Bevan, 2007). Ever since then marks and spencer has delivered goods of the best quality and now to day it stands as one of the best retail chains in the UK. They primarily deal in Clothing and food. The company is headquartered in London, UK and is the one of the biggest companies in the world. It’s ranked #725 in the Forbes 2000 list (Marks and Spencer on Forbes 2000 list, 2011) and is amongst the top 5 retail firms in the country. Currently the chairman of the company is Robert Swanell and the Chief Executive is Marc Bolland. (Annual Report, 2011). Over the years Marks and Spencer has gone through ups and downs. It is the first British Retail firm to make a Profit before tax of over £1 Billion which was in the year 1998.After that the company had hit rock-bottom which was due to heavy competition and the company’s inability to satisfy its customers, it went into heavy losses in its turnover. After amending a few policies and the change of the Chief executive, the company looked more closely at the customer’s needs, wants and demands and modelled their strategies around it, thus rising it from the ashes. However again in 2008, the company went into a credit crunch which was mainly because of the recession. (M&S shares dive on gloomy outlook, 2008) (Bevan, 2007).Although M&S has...
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...Summary: Marks and Spencer has been described in the "FTSE UK Series, which measure the performance of the 100 largest companies traded on the London Stock Exchange that pass screening for size and liquidity, as a nationally recognized, well-established and financially secure company" (FTSE.com). Although Marks and Spencer has a good financial position and reputation in the market, there are times where the price of its shares fluctuate as on the 27th February UBS – a financial services company - included Marks and Spencer to its “buy” list, as a result the share price of Marks and Spencer raised from 353.4 to 360.1 (Financial Times (a)) and there was a fall in the share price in the beginning of October, mid November and at the launch of March caused by the fall in the market value. The increase in Marks and Spencer share price on the 27th February and the UBS decision to put M&S on its buying list could be linked to announcement of the Interim Management Statement on the 10th of January which indicated the glowing performance that M&S done in the 3rd quarter of its financial year. Marks and Spencer have many competitors, Sainsbury’s as they offer same standard of Marks and Spencer food and NEXT for the same quality of clothing. Sainsbury’s share price tend to have almost the same rises and falls of Marks and Spenser share price, whereas Next have considerably low share price compared to Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer. Introduction Marks and...
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...Dr. Andreea AVADANEI Marks&Spencer Report 2011 With a 21 million customers visiting weekly its stores and group revenue of £9.7bn in 2011, Marks&Spencer (M&S) is one of the most important UK retailers. Expanded all across Europe, Asia and Middle East, M&S has a store network of 152 wholly-owned and partlyowned locations and 209 franchises (2011), transforming more and more into a strong international business presence that offers great value clothing, extremely high quality food and a variety of home products. M&S strategy is to become a global multi-channel retailer (Bolland, 2011) in order to reduce its dependency on the UK market conditions and economic climate and to create a powerful brand serving a worldwide customer base. With an extraordinary understanding of customers selective needs based on a complex combination of market analyses and research feedback to identify trends and factors influencing their choices and decisions, M&S provides quality, value and innovation, positioning customers at the heart of the entire business. This report presents an overview of M&S activity and perspectives using a) a comprehensive PESTEL analysis to point out the trends and the environmental influences affecting the business, b) Porter’s five forces framework to explore and evaluate M&S attractiveness, c) a detailed SWOT analysis to highlight the company’ main advantages and hot spots and to identify any opportunity it can capitalize on and challenges that may endanger its future...
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...Marks and Spencer: Summary Report of the Case Study Introduction Marks and Spencer (M&S) is a leading UK retailer selling clothing, food, and housewares. In 2007, the company put sustainability at the heart of its business. In order to succeed, it would have to change the attitudes and the behavior of its shoppers. As a result, it launched Plan A which set out a five year plan involving 100 social and environmental commitments that were expected to shape the future of the company. Plan A would allow the company to resolve some of the big issues facing their business. They called it Plan A because there is “no B when it comes to conserving the earth’s finite resources” (Marks & Spencer Website). Brief Background on Company In 1884, Michael Marks started the company by selling an assortment of goods in an open-air stall in Leeds, UK. In the 1920’s, the company went public and expanded into general merchandise and ready-to-wear clothing. By the 1970’s, the company had become a British icon and a household name. However, from the 1980’s to 1993 came the troubled years. Despite the expansion of its operations in the 1980’s, the retailer had failed to keep current with its shopper’s preferences and this led to financial woes. From 1994 to 2006, it was back to the basics for the company. By 1996, it had rebounded to become the UK’s most profitable retailer. However, this recovery was short lived, and M&S experienced a significant slump in business in 1999 which continued into the...
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...MBA 405 - Global Organisational Environment Content |1. Abstract |Page 4 | |2. Task 1: Learning log |Page 5 - 12 | |3. Task 1: Summary of academic journal |Page 13 -14 | |4. Task 1: Reference |Page 15 | |5. Task 1: Indexes |PDF file | |6. Task 2: Marks and Spencer operation report |Page 16 - 26 | |7. Task 2: Reference |Page 27 - 28 | ABSTRACT MBA 405 - Global Organisational Environment Probably everyone will agree that at the beginning of the 21st century, the impact of globalisation on countries, societies, businesses and individuals have been much more evident than ever before. Especially for businesses and organizations, globalization has impacted considerably on the way businesses are operated, managed and developed. Success of businesses and organizations have been so dependent on how well and proactively they have responded to the global organizational environment...
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...common to read about Marks and Spencer as ‘one of the best managed and admired businesses in the world’ (Mellahi et al 2002). The company had enjoyed a great success in the retail sector. Marks and Spencer commenced its business activity in Leeds in the late 19th century, as a family-run shop, with strong values. Since then and for many years after, it became popular for its alternative way of business, in comparison to other British retailers (Mellahi et al 2002). It established a good relationship with customers based on loyalty and trust. The firm also gained high respect from the British people; it was considered the biggest corporate charity donor within the UK (Mellahi et al 2002). Not only consumers, but staff and shareholders could share this great success. According to Wallop (2012) the company has been the most important British clothing retailer for decades, and also the first retailer in the UK to publish annual profits of £ 1bn. Lately Marks and Spencer has undergone a difficult period. The latest management changes have once again disrupted stability. In July 2012, M&S announced widespread changes across the company, including a new head of general merchandise, style director and a new head of food. A number of external and internal factors explain these changes. External Factors Consumer spending & Competition External factors can be described as things affecting the company beyond its control. Firstly, the retail industry in which M&S operates has weakened...
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