BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT1 Operating Environment of Wesfarmers The operating environment of Wesfarmers defines the internal and external factors that affect the company which are competitors, suppliers, clients as internal factors and economic, social, political, technological and environmental changes as external factors. Each factor has its own positive and negative influences on the company. As the company is in retailing business, there is high bargaining power of buyers and suppliers and faces intense competition from the rival firms which has led the company to collaborate with the rival firms. Wesfarmers have taken major steps to reduce the impact of climatic changes in Australia. They have made a climate change policy by improving greenhouse gas efficiency which has reduced the cost and risk for the company(Wesfarmers limited, 2017). This action is taken to mitigate the environmental factors affecting the businessWesfarmers. The economic and political stability has influence on the productivity of the company.Apart from this, the company has made innovations in technology in order to overcome the impact of technological changes are being brought up by the competitors. The company is known for their dedicated relationship with the shareholders and suppliers. Wesfarmers have analyzed the buying patterns and social trends in order to overcome the impact of social factors. Threats Wesfarmers have threat of competitors. Woolworths are the major competitor of Wesfarmers as both the companies have same product offering(McArthur, 2016). If the competitor’s product is unique or giving value to the customers, then it threat for Wesfarmers and will ultimately impact sales revenue of the company. The laws and regulations of the Australia pertaining to quality of the food items and other licensing requirements can be serious threatto the company as it will impact the prices of the company’s products. Changing trends in the behavior and preferences of the customers which has impact on the growth of the company. Therefore, Wesfarmers have to change the portfolio of the product to maintain the customer base.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT2 References McArthur, T. (2016, May 24).Is this the biggest threat to your Wesfarmers Ltd and Woolworths Limited shares?Retrieved July 25, 2019, from The motley fool: https://www.fool.com.au/2016/05/24/is-this-the-biggest-threat-to-your-wesfarmers-ltd- and-woolworths-limited-shares/ Wesfarmers limited. (2017, January 1).Sustainability Report 2017.Retrieved July 25, 2019, from Sustainability.wesfarmers.com: https://sustainability.wesfarmers.com.au/media/2464/2017-wesfarmers-sustainability- full-report.pdf