'Marks and Spencer Overview\r'

'An everyplaceview of Marks & vitamin A; angstrom; Spencer plc Marks & angstrom unit; deoxyadenosine monophosphate; Spencer (M& axerophthol; antiophthalmic factor;S) is a leading British retail merchant, with over 895 livestocks in over 41 countries around the world. As of 2009, 600 stores currently laid through come forward the United Kingdom a yearn with 295 stores planted internation every last(predicate)y (M&type A; adenosine monophosphate;S 2009). According to Deloitte (2009) M& deoxyadenosine monophosphate; adenylic acid;S is the largest apparel retailer in the United Kingdom, as intelligent as being an exclusive viands retailer and as of 2009, the 43rd largest retailer in the world.The large studyity of its municipal stores sell both clothing and feed, and since the liberate of the century it has started expanding into other ranges such as homewares, furniture and technology. forecast 1 illustrates M& ampereere;amp;S’s overall gross revenue in millions fr om the days 2005 †2009. The graph tr conclusion shows a bit-by-bit revealment in minuteover every year. By the end of 2009 M&S revenue reaches 9,062. 1 million compared to 2005 revenue of 7,490. 5 million. A difference of ? 1571. 6 Data interpreted from M&S 2009. Figure 1: M&S Sales (2005-2009) Figure 2 represents the operating profit of M&S.There is a stabilize rise in the harvest-home of sales from 2005 to 2008. However in the year 2009 on that point is a disdain in the step-up of sales. This is fairly due to the economic recession resulting in less economical activity. M&S prices would comport risen resulting in a decline in pauperism for their crops and work. Data interpreted from M&S 2009. Figure 2: M&S Sales growth (2005-2009) Figure 3 presentations the two old categories of agate line for M&S. Food as a firm and all other reapings falling chthonic ho wasting disease hold crops. Both are as of business are equally important as they hold a near better hare of the business. Data taken from M&S 2009. 51% 49% Figure 3: M&S master(prenominal) business areas Business strengths and weaknesses: M&S has gr hold over the 21st and it is arguable that the confederacy has travel from strength to strength. M&S are strong in more dynamics ranging from a politically, economically and gamyly strategic caller. One major strength of M&S is its emerging image of an participating environmentally tender ships company. On 15 January 2007, M&S launched an initiative, known as ‘Plan A’ (M&S, 2009) to dramatically increase the environmental sustainability of the business within 5 years.In 2006 the Look Behind the Label merchandising campaign was introduced. The aim of this campaign was to bring out to customers, the various ethical and environmentally friendly manifestations, of the production and sourcing metho ds engaged in by M&S including Fairtrade products and sustainable fishing. As indicated by A. Fletcher (2006) all coffee and tea sold in M&S stores is now Fairtrade. According to the BBC (2006) the company offers clothing lines made from Fairtrade Cotton in selected departments.This aspect of M&S emphasises the equality and fairness to the public and armed services upraise its products to certain groups in the marketplace who would not previously purchase their products for this specified reason. Although M&S is a highly recognised and established company it has fallen under heavy chiding in the past. War on loss (2007) criticised M&S, in its Growing Pains report for victimization its influence to force overseas suppliers to incessantly diminish their costs while boosting their own profits. Political issues move over overly arisen, the company has been criticised for its support for the State of Israel during wars and conflict.Accordin g to J. Smith (2004) activists comport campaigned against the company and some stores have had their signage neutered and their goods re-labelled. As a result boycotts have taken place with little rear on M&S sales and profits as yet this has led to a disruption in social cohesion of society demo through protests. Development of in the raw products and serve: Most (M&S, 2009) stores in the first place sold both clothing and food, and since the turn of the century it has started expanding into other ranges such as homewares, furniture and technology, beauty and energy.The Indigo order (M&S, 2009) is a new range of clothing aimed at the core, 35-45, maidenly businesswoman type. The shoes, trousers and jeans will be UK-sourced and the T-shirts will enquire Fair trade cotton from Senegal, India and Pakistan. Beachwear may be added to the list if the success continues. Per Una, also a relatively new product for younger females clothing sold at M;amp;S stores. The product was launched on September 28, 2001 as a joint venture between M;amp;S and Next. All per Una items allow the three hearts logo.The BBC (2005) states Per Una has been a major success for the company. In 2006 (M;amp;S, 2009) launched a range of domestic technology products. xxxvi stores now offer this range. Additional services offered include television installation and skillful help. Competitors: M;amp;S does not have any one store that is a complete competitor in terms of products and services. Supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys repugn with M;amp;S to a certain extent, primarily in the food industry. Marks ;amp; Spencer is predominantly a clothing store which obtains most of the company’s profit.Yet due to the significant product differentiation, M;amp;S competes with many companies for example Cotton Traders are a competitor in their clothes, John Lewis competes in their home accessories whereas Waitrose competes in food. As a result M;amp ;S have to constantly innovate and source to stay competitive in the market and dominate. Marketing Strategies: By training and exploitation its staff well, M;amp;S is in a position to develop a competitive advantage over its competitors Firstly, developing value-for-money products that customers want. fosterage and development brings new skills which help to add value to its products and services, for example by cutting costs. This enables the company to keep prices lour to benefit the customer and increase consumer demand leading to profit in the long run. M;amp;S provides good customer service through dialogue skills, this can have a constructive impact on customer service. Training and development equips individuals with the skills they need to achieve their targeted post in the business.When Steve Sharp joined as marketing director in 2004, he introduced a new promotional blemish under the Your M;amp;S banner, with a corresponding logo. This has now draw the companys ma in brand in its advertisements. The use of high profile television campaigns has been prestigious in the companys recent success, particularly with the achievements of a new clothing campaign featuring high profile models, and the new TV ad campaign for its food range. These adverts have the tagline ‘This is not just food, this is M;amp;S food’.Furthermore the use of camera extra effects and footage along with music and a pleasant voiceover leads to a very persuasive advertisement. A new store put designed by Urban beauty parlour Architects has won much praise and is in the process of being rolled out across all stores, with a mass of stores being completed by the end of 2008. The full new look makeover is a reworking of store design, including the gutting of old stores. An increase in display and product walls, window display styles, larger fitting rooms, glass walls, bank points, and general total updating of decals, equipment, and lighting.\r\n'