...Understanding Fixed Interest in a Portfolio Fixed interest securities should play a crucial defensive role in a balanced investment portfolio, providing predictable, regular income and acting as a foil against the losses made on equity holdings during times of economic downturn. However, a poorly constructed defensive allocation will fail in meeting those objectives in times of market turmoil, as demonstrated in recent years. Not all assets that have been labelled fixed income are “true to label”, and furthermore, not even all bonds are made equal. Advisers need to be aware that some are inherently much more risky than others, and others are just not fit for purpose if the objective is to create a safe, predictable source of income that also diversifies a portfolio’s equity risk. FIXED INTEREST/BONDS – A DEFINITION Broadly, a bond can be defined as any debt instrument issued by a government/quasi-government entity or company/special purpose vehicle. In effect a bond is a commoditised, tradable loan where an investor provides capital in exchange for a legally enforceable promise by the issuer to pay the investor regular interest over a fixed period of time and principal at maturity. Naturally, the ability to enforce payment will be a function of the solvency of the borrower. Therefore, assessing credit quality is vital in fixed interest investing. High quality issuers generally fund at lower yields whereas higher yields are paid by issuers of lower credit quality due to...
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...YOU LIKE IT OR NOT ... Today’s youth rule! Picture: JEREMY GLYN HOW AND WHY THE STUDY WORKS ● Their annual direct spend, as per the study, is over the R95bn mark ● They are the key household inf luencers — to the tune of more than 60% ● They are the future consumers of all brands “They are mavens who give a good sense of the ‘next big thing’. They provide strong indicators of where the market is going” JASON LEVIN, MD OF HDI YOUTH MARKETEERS W HY should the world care if nine-year-olds prefer Milo cereal to Coco Pops? So what if teens want to watch Trace this year when they were hooked on MTV last year? And if youngsters’ primary device is a cellphone, is that really going to change the world? Although less often than before, we are still confronted by “youth cynics” after the Sunday Times Generation Next study is published every year. Their concern, generally, is that youth are still a relatively marginal market segment, so why do a brand preference study? South Africa, like most developing countries, has a very young population — more of our citizens are 22 — the age limit of the study — or younger than those who are older. So, with a sample set aged between eight and 22, the study tracks the consumer behaviour and preferences of a large, not small, part of the market. The segment is also significant for other reasons: ý Their annual direct spend, as per the study, is over the R95-billion mark; ý They are key household influences — to the tune of more...
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...Marketing: Assessment 1 Word Count: 2789 Executive Summary The aim of this report is to examine the characteristics of merchandise assortment and store design within two retail companies to identify constituents that can have a negative and positive influence on the stores. Apparel department of two discount department stores were selected and observed in the constituents that create their merchandise assortment and store design. Apparel departments of Target and Big W at Fountain Gate in Victoria, Australia were selected as locale of study. The report consists of two sections. The theoretical study section is based on literature review of two elements of marketing mix; merchandise assortment and store design. The second section will discuss the similarities and differences between the two retailers. Recommendations will be provided to both retailers based on the study. The survey method was followed to conduct the study and data were collected through an unobtrusive observation and also a use of a retailer observation checklist. Table of Contents Introduction 3 Literature Review 4 Retailers’ Store Design & Merchandise Assortment 6 Recommendation & Justifications 9 Conclusions 10 References 11 Appendix 1: Observation Checklists 12 Appendix...
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...Coalition Cuts: “Tough But Fair” Immediately as I write this essay Britain’s national debt stands at around £946,319, 240,034, 83.7% debt to GDP ratio whilst the US has a national debt of over $13,492,377,103,199. ‘Thanks to Mr Osborne, Britain now has the earliest, most aggressive programme to cut government borrowing in the G7, despite widespread fears about the strength of the UK and global recovery’ (Flanders, 2010). In this essay I will focus on Britain’s budget deficit, in particular the Emergency Budget, presenting various topics for debate in relation to different aspects of the budget. I will further expand into broader topics such as the recession as a whole, the previous Labour government, other countries situations and subsequent response and the theory behind the policies undertaken, whether driven by political or economic incentives for example. Throughout the essay I will attempt to present ideas in a balanced approach, clearly showing the difference between positive and normative statements. An economies growth rate fluctuates over a period of time, known as the economic cycle. It shows the changes over time in the macro economy such as a recession where growth falls below the trend growth rate: a negative output gap. Such events are cyclical and the general period of time between one boom and another is usually five to eight years (Peter Cramp, Informe). Gordon Brown was keen to avoid successive budget deficits...
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...University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia. rashadyazdanifard@yahoo.com 1 ABSTRACT Global expansion has been gaining a lot of attention. There are many important factors to be considered in the decision-making process such as business strategies, entry modes, and threats and opportunities in the markets. Appropriate strategies will minimize the risk of failure in international markets. The right business strategies and entry modes employed will increase the firm’s chances of success and influence the future of the retailer. Key words: global expansion, business strategies, entry modes, threats, opportunities, Walmart 1. Introduction The internalization of the retail industry has been researched widely, and majority of these studies have described the motivations and scales for international expansion by retailers (Akehurst & Alexander, 1995; Williams, 1992). Many models of internalization explains the sequence of foreign expansion, showing that companies who go international will do better in foreign markets that are similar to their domestic markets. This was why Walmart chose to enter the markets of Canada and Mexico (Johanson & Vahlne, 1977). There are several reasons why international retailing became popular. Some of these reasons are, the domestic market is saturated, and there is a need for larger diverse investments, economic pressures, and external and internal forces that compel retailers to enter new markets. It is therefore important for the retailer...
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...ALDI IN AUSTRALIA: WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT? May 2000 Aldi in Australia Aldi will become a small but significant player in the Australian market OVERVIEW I. Aldi is the world’s lowest cost grocery retailer II. The United Kingdom provides an excellent model for the development of Aldi in Australia III. The arrival of Aldi in Australia will have a focused impact, felt mostly on key line pricing and by Franklins Aldi 2 Aldi in Australia I. Aldi is the world’s lowest cost grocery retailer – Ia. Aldi acts as a category killer in core grocery lines – Ib. Aldi has a low-cost logistics and operational system that works on a 12% gross margin – Ic. Privately owned Aldi has a long investment horizon and plenty of patient capital – Id. There are few threats to Aldi or the limited assortment store. Aldi is immune to competition, even from WalMart Aldi 3 Aldi in Australia Ia. Aldi acts as a category killer in core grocery lines – Aldi is a limited assortment discount grocery store, a format characterized by a high turnover on a narrow range of grocery items in a small space – The main appeal of limited assortment stores is low prices – Packaged grocery accounts for almost 50% of a German Aldi store’s turnover and 50% of an American store’s SKU mix – In Germany, over 70% of German households shop at Aldi, mostly for basic staples Aldi 4 Aldi in Australia Aldi is a limited assortment discount grocery store… TYPES OF DISCOUNT...
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...A Corporate Giant Or A Corporate Beast Introduction This case discusses: • • • • • • Introduction to Wal-Mart History of Wal-Mart The Road to Success - Corporate Strategy The Criticism and the Challenges Wal-Mart’s PR strategy The Road ahead Wal-Mart – An Introduction • American public corporation that runs a chain of large, discount department stores • World's largest public corporation by revenue • Largest private employer in the world • Fourth largest utility or commercial employer • Largest grocery retailer in the United States ( 20% ) • Largest toy seller in the United States ( 22% ) Wal-Mart at a Glance • • • • • • • • • Founded - Arkansas, USA(1962) by Sam Walton Headquarters - Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S.A. Products - Discount Stores, Super centers, Neighborhood Markets Revenue - US$ 351.1 billion (2007) (Ranked # 1 on Fortune 500 list) Net income - US$ 11.3 billion (2007) Total assets - US$ 151.193 billion (2007) Total equity - US$ 61.573 billion (2007) Employees - 1.9 million (2007) Slogans - The Lowest Prices. Guaranteed! - Save Money, Live Better (U.S.) - WE SELL FOR LESS every day! (Canada) Wal-Mart at a Glance (contd..) • • • • • List of Assets In U.S.A.Wal-Mart Stores Division U.S. (3,900) Wal-Mart Discount Stores (1,033) Wal-Mart Super centers (2,349) Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets (124) Sam’s Clubs(585) Internationally• Stores in 14 countries outside U.S. (2980) • Joint venture with Bharti Enterprises to enter India(2006) History of Wal-Mart • Sam...
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...Transformation A series of fatal accidents, coupled with operational inefficiencies snowballed Korean Air into troubled times. Then, at the beginning of the 21st century, its CEO/ Chairman, Yang-Ho Cho undertook various transformation initiatives - for instance, improving service quality and safety standards, technology integration, upgrading pilot training, better business focus; putting in place a professional management team, improving corporate image through sponsorship marketing, etc. He gave a new corporate direction in the form of '10,10,10' goal. However, Korean Air is held up by a slew of challenges. Among which are inefficiencies of - Chaebol system of management, possible clash of its cargo business with its own shipping company, limited focus on the domestic market and growing competition from LCCs. How would Korean Air manage growth as a family-owned conglomerate? The case offers enriching scope for analysing a family business’s turnaround strategies, with all the legacy costs involved. Pedagogical Objectives • To discuss the (operational) dynamics of Korean Chaebols - their influence/ effects on the country’s industrial sector and the economy as a whole • To analyse how family-owned businesses manage the transition phase - from a supplier-driven economy to a demanddriven economy • To identify all the possible reasons for Korean Air ’s turbulent times and assessing whether they are controllable or not • To critically evaluate Korean Air ’s transformation efforts - in...
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...A Comparative Study of Walmart Operations in Canada & Mexico Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary…………………………...………………………………...…...2 2. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….3 3. Walmart and the Canadian Marketplace……………………………..…………3 A. Country Competitiveness B. Cultural Environment C. Political and Legal Environment D. Entry Strategies 4. Walmart and the Mexican Marketplace……………………………..………….10 A. Country Competitiveness B. Cultural Environment C. Political and Legal Environment D. Entry Strategies 5. Summary Comparison of Canadian and Mexican Markets…………………….18 6. Recommendation…………………………………………………………………….19 7. References…………………………………………………………………………...21 1. Executive Summary This report closely examines the operations of the world's largest retailer, Walmart, in Canada and Mexico. Assessments of market conditions in both countries have been conducted in terms of country competitiveness, cultural, political and legal environments and the strategies used by Walmart upon entry. Tying into these international business factors, specific aspects of international economic integration, monetary systems, social responsibility and corruption have also been reviewed. While being part of one continent and a common trade bloc (NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement), considerable differences between Canada and Mexico are apparent. These differences are individually analyzed on the following pages. Inevitably, they...
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...significant employment opportunities in all urban areas. This study, the second undertaken by ICRIER on the retail industry, attempts to rigorously analyse the impact of organized retailing on different segments of the economy. No distinction has been made between foreign and domestic players, in analyzing the impact of the increasing trend of large corporates entering the retail trade in the country. The findings of this study are based on the largest ever survey of unorganized retailers (the so-called “mom and pop stores”), consumers, farmers, intermediaries, manufacturers, and organized retailers. In addition, an extensive review of international experience, particularly of emerging countries of relevance to India, has also been carried out as part of the study. The study estimates that the total retail business in India will grow at 13 per cent annually from US$ 322 billion in 2006-07 to US$ 590 billion in 2011-12. The unorganized retail sector is expected to grow at approximately 10 per cent per annum with sales rising from US$ 309 billion in 2006-07 to US$ 496 billion. Organized retail, which constituted a low four per cent of total retail in 2006-07, is estimated to grow at 45-50 per cent per annum and attain a 16 per cent share of total retail by 2011-12. In short, both unorganized and organized retail are bound not only to coexist but also achieve rapid and sustained growth in the coming years. This is clearly not a case of a zero sum game as both organized and unorganized retail...
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...Context: 1. Introduction 2 2. Background of Wal-Mart stores Inc. 3 3. Retail organization internatinalization expension 4 4. International Expansion of Wal-Mart in Maxico,china and canada 5 5. Comparison of Entry Modes 6 6. comparison of Opportunities 7 7. Final touch 8 8. Conclusion 9 9.Bibliography 10 1. Introduction: Being present and having to enter foreign markets is for many companies natural, while for other it is a new challenge that they have to face. This challenge, known as market entry, consists of three major decisions: where to enter, when to enter and how to enter different markets. Some companies are forced to internationalize in the early stages of their life due to small saturated home markets, while other companies choose to go abroad because of the great opportunities new markets might bring (Peng, 2006). Once deciding to go abroad and choosing the target market and timing, companies' need to consider the choice of entry modes. Generally, to choose international firm there are six different entry modes: exporting, turnkey projects, licensing, franchising, joint ventures, wholly owned subsidiary (Hill, 2004). Each entry mode its distinctive characteristics (see, e.g., Hill, 2004; Hill, et al, 1990; Hill and kim, 1988; Anderson and Gatignon, 1986; Madhok, 1997; Brouthers and Brouthers, 2000; Bishop 2006. Selecting a suitable entry mode is a difficult decision for firms interested in entering a foreign market (Agarwal and Ramaswami, 1992). Sometimes...
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...Best Retail Brands Founded in 1974, Interbrand is one of the world’s largest branding consultancies. With nearly 40 offices in 26 countries, Interbrand’s combination of rigorous strategy, analytics and world-class design enables it to assist clients in creating and managing brand value effectively across all touchpoints in all market dynamics. Interbrand is widely recognized for its Best Global Brands report, the definitive guide to the world’s most valuable brands, as well as its Best Global Green Brands report which identifies the gap between customer perception and a brand’s performance relative to sustainability. It is also known for having created www.Brandchannel.com, an international online exchange and resource about brand marketing and branding. For more information on Interbrand, visit www.Interbrand.com. For more than 30 years we have been creating retail brand experiences for companies around the world. Interbrand Design Forum’s talent for game-changing innovation spurred us to create a business model that integrates analytics-based strategy into what began as a design and architecture group — the first and only company with such a comprehensive offering. Our broad range of services includes: retail design, brand strategy, shopper sciences, packaging, digital, documentation and rollout. This unique ability to address retail’s growing complexity has led many of the world’s top companies to our doorstep and propelled Interbrand Design Forum to the forefront of...
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...Supply Cha S ain Manage nt Pro emen oject ‐ Reta ail Sup Chain at pply C Project Group – Balaji Nag garajan (Roll n no: EPGP‐04A A‐016) Deepak M Mittal (Roll no: EPGP‐04A‐0 026) Kannan S (Roll no: EPG GP‐04A‐044) Mahesh R Rajesham (Roll no: EPGP‐04 A‐115) Mansi Sha arma (Roll no o : EPGP‐04 A‐ ‐051) Dr. Priyan nka Mallick (R Roll no : EPGP‐04 A‐068) Sandeep G Gawde (Roll n no : EPGP‐04 A‐030) SCM Project – Retail Supply Chain at Wal‐Mart Table of Contents 1. 2. I. II. 3. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3 About Wal‐Mart .................................................................................................................................... 4 Operating Divisions ........................................................................................................................... 4 Competition and Regional Alignments ............................................................................................. 8 Components of Supply Chain Management (SCM) ............................................................................ 11 A. Main Elements ................................................................................................................................ 11 4. Wal‐Mart’s Method of Managing the Supply Chain .............
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...Confidential R&B © 2013 BUSINESS PLAN YEAR 2013 8/11/2013 Page 1 of 52 Confidential R&B © 2013 Content 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 6 1.1. Mission and Vision ...................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Background .................................................................................................................. 6 1.3. Products and Services ............................................................................................... 6 1.4. Market ........................................................................................................................... 7 1.5. Competitive Advantage .............................................................................................. 7 1.6. Capabilities .................................................................................................................. 7 1.7. Objectives .................................................................................................................... 8 1.8. Strategy ........................................................................................................................ 9 1.9. Management Team .................................................................................................... 9 2. Background ...............................................
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...http://realityviews.blogspot.in/2011/12/detailed-analysis-fdi-good-or-bad-for.html Detailed Analysis FDI Good or Bad for India Who will benefit in India if FDI is allowed in Multi Brand this is Kirana Business Few days back the Union Cabinet of India overcame years of indecision to allow up to 51% FDI in multi-brand retail. Government also increased the FDI limit in single-brand retail to 100% from 51% Government says it will benefit India. Traders fear the move. Opposition parties oppose the move as they know they will benefit if they support the traders. No one is touching the real issues and accepting the truth that today or tomorrow FDI, big global corporations will enter into India directly or indirectly. Today world is becoming a global village. Foreign Investment in India is governed by the FDI policy announced by the Government of India and the provision of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999. The foreign investors are free to invest in India, except few sectors/activities, where prior approval from the RBI or Foreign Investment Promotion Board (‘FIPB’) is required. In franchising and commission agents’ services, FDI (unless otherwise prohibited) is allowed with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. Examples of Such Business - Pizza Hut or Nike or Spencer 100% FDI is allowed in wholesale trading. Wholesalers do the business with the Retailers. Wholesalers never do business with Consumers...
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