This article discusses the current trends in the retail industry, focusing on the impact of technology, social media, and customer preferences. It includes a PESTLE analysis and SWOT analysis of Next PLC, a British multinational retailer. Recommendations and an action plan are also provided for the company's growth and success.
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Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1 RETAIL TRENDS...........................................................................................................................1 Retail industry trends with prominent research...........................................................................1 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................2 Background of company..............................................................................................................2 PESTLE Analysis........................................................................................................................3 SWOT Analysis...........................................................................................................................4 RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................5 Recommendations and action plan..............................................................................................5 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8 APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................9 Face to face interview..................................................................................................................9 Primary Research Questionnaire.................................................................................................9 Secondary Research.....................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION Retail industry defines a process which is helpful in selling and purchasing of commodities to the respective customers with the use of various channels of distribution in order to achieve competitive edge and proficiency. Retailers are those individuals who satisfy the requirements and demand of customers by providing them suitable commodities according to their use (Kasemsap, 2018). It is related with the collection of different products from the manufacturer in large quantity and also supplies it to their customers in small lots. Clothing industry is a group of companies whosecycle start from manufacturer and ends on customer. To carry forward this report company considered is next PLC which is the British multinational retailer deals in clothing,footwear and home products and headquarters in Leicester, United Kingdom. Moreover this report is going to cover current trends of Retail Industry with the help of prominent research such asPESTLE and SWOT analysis.Lastly on the grounds of its weakness prominent recommendations is provided with the help of action plan. RETAIL TRENDS Retail industry trends with prominent research The Retail Industry has gone through which prominent transformation over the past decade and also continues to evolve it so quick. By considering the advancements in digital channel and other concerning things in Retail Industry, 2018has been kind to retail in UK with the reporting growth off market of every month that is far better than 2017. Over the face of market is rapidly evolving and retailers need to adapt to new shifts in terns of demographics, attitudes and preferences of customer(Siayah, Setiawan and Van Bee, 2019).For this the market will be defined buy the advanced and emerging Technologies that has been changed is the way for the interaction of customers with their respective brands and for this prominent Trends that will shape in Retail Industry are discussed as underneath: Customers want non-stop access to commodities:In Modern era customers want excess of production services according to their convenience. As it becomes possible with the help of e-commerce and online shopping as here customers can access quotes at any time and also place their order according to their convenience. Online shopping has many benefits like easy return policy, cashback, easy exchange and so on.These moods are considered as the“shoppable windows” in which customers can passes by the option to 1
shop at all the hours straight from the window of Store with the help of touch screen and mobile(PRAYOGI and YUANITA, 2018). In addition to this customers believe on the reviews and ratings and on that basis they made their purchasing so show the feedback of customers plays an important role for the retailers to become trendy in the market. Social shopping:Currently most of the retailers use social media is there communication marketing tool in order to broadcast their new ideas and analysing the taste and preferences of consumers. Now social media becomes a shop window in order to sell products and the Smart Brands are taking full advantage of social media. It can become easier to sell products on social media because of the support of customers as the take snapshot and share it on other social media accounts(Ramnarain and Hlatswayo, 2018). It is considered as just the pace of technological advancement and for this retailers need to stay a in the dynamic and innovative environment in order to determine the changing Expectations of their customers. Exclusivity:Modern customers want unique and innovative products as it give them new experiencetowardscompanyandmakethemfeelspecialthatentityvaluethere preferences and demands. For instance next PLC uses its prominent tools and machinery inordertodevelopandmanufacturetheirownproductsandoffergoodquality commodities to their respective customers according to their requirements(Khalaf, 2018). Meanwhile some brands cannot afford to offer exclusive experience to their customers and as in return they need to pay for it by decreasing there profitability and proficiency. By considering the current trends many customers want exclusive unique handcrafted products such as printed clothes that makes them feel good when the use it is these products are considered under the tailored commodities. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION Background of company Next PLC is the British multinational,footwear clothing and home product retailer has approximately 700 stores from which around 500 are in United Kingdom and 200 are in Europe, Asia and Middle East. Next PLC becomes the largest clothing retailer in terms of sales and also overtaken Marks and Spencer in 2014. 2
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PESTLE Analysis Political:It describes the political factors which influence next PLC in current moment and also those will impact it in next 5 years including interest rates, Corporation tax and VAT.By considering the current situations Corporation tax is decided at 20% which lower the attempt to stimulate the economic activity full stop for this next need to keep its Eyes on the changes of Corporation tax as if it rises in the next five years the business need to pay more money to government which describes that their outgoings will be higher and profit gets lower(Yuliati, Riantoni and Mufti, 2018). Economical:It depicts many economic factors such as economic growth inflation rate interest and employment as it put major impact on company because customers are earning more when the economy is growing. The economic growth of UK is quite good which depictsthat theyspend more on their business like next PLC as they have earning more profit and sales. UK’s economy has grown and for this the sales of Next has increases by 7.2% and profitability increases to around 12.5% at the end of period. Social:These factors influences the purchasing decisions of customers as it include taste trends and demographic factors. In relation with this next PLC need to investigate more on social and cultural factors that takes place in the environment asset have high impact on the performance of business(Song and Wen, 2018). Moreover next PLC can use its home delivery and online business modelfor its aging population which is convenient for the customers and can become advantage for company. Technological:The Spectre rapidly growing the fashion retail sector with the prominent use of online shopping, E-Commerce and technological marketing. In terms of online shopping prominent development made by next PLC by opting this as it increases the 12% profitability in 2014. It also become convenient for company with the use of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter as their promotional tools of production services for the younger customers especially between the 16 to 34 age group. Legal:Like all other businesses next PLC also uses legal minimum standards that are enforceable by the law(Thongkoo, Panjaburee and Daungcharone, 2019). For this minimum wage legislation is used by next PLC with positively Influencers Company with large number ofitspaid workers by deciding their minimum wage £6.19 per hour. 3
Environmental:It considers the physical environment which influences the business and its functioning. In terms of next it operates in UK thathighly suffersfrom natural disasterslikeearthquakeshurricanesandforestfiresandbecauseofallthisthe environment of UK gets influenced which negatively impact on the trading and exporting of retail products. For this next can put many efforts for the environment such as eliminating wastage,implementing ethical, Sourcing policies and running more efficient transport operations. SWOT Analysis StrengthsWeaknesses NextPLChasnumberofstoresin almosteverycountryanditis supported by their strong distribution channelthatensuresthatits commoditiesareeasilyavailableto their customers at right time. Moreover the strong presents of next PLC on social media is more beneficial in terms of its sales and profitability as itspopularsocialplatformsinclude Facebook, Twitter, Instagram with high level of customer engagement. Next PLC has low budget in terms of its quality control department instead of its competitors that leads the company towardsthelackofconsistencyand developthechancesofdamageof qualityacrossitsvariousstores (Efstathiou, Kyza and Georgiou, 2018). In addition to this company has higher employee turnover rate as compared to itsrivalandreasonbehindthisis company spent less on their employees and does not provide any appreciation to them. OpportunitiesThreats By analysing the number of internet usersinallovertheworlditis determinedthattheirquantitygets increasewhichcanbecomean opportunity for next PLC expand their onlinepresencewiththehelpof internetandbecomesquiteeasyto interact with their respective customers By considering the substitute products these are increasing day by day which can become threat for the company and wholeindustryaswellasthe consumption of existing products gets decreases. Moreover the frequent changing taste and demand of consumers put pressure 4
(Cairns and Areepattamannil, 2019). Awaywiththis,greengovernment drive also offer an opportunity for next PLC in terms of sale of its products to Centralandstategovernment contractors. on companytoconstantly change its productinordertomeetthe requirements of customers. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations and action plan Retail Industry is considered as the most dynamic and driving industry in the world as it combines the wide variety of activities from the production of products which transforms the suitable materials and creation of articles to the clothing and shoes among others. With the massive production of food and beverages clothing market and complementary productions are in the ideal position to become one of the foremost profit generator then the business clothing. By considering the above discussion for the improvement of productivity and profitability for the retail industry and company named Next PLC should adopt prominent changes for the survival of business. For this various recommendations are given as under: Next PLC should increase its online presence which is helpful in its expansion and it is possible because of its technology which company uses in its offerings towards the potential customers. In relation with this company need to offer its products according to theconvenienceofitspotentialcustomersandalsoconsideringtheirneedsand preferences before developing their prominent products and services. It is also recommended to company that they need to follow all the current trends that takes place in the business environment in order to make their position and sustain themselves in market place which are coming in the retail industry as because of this they tends to become the leader of market not only in UK but across the world. Action Plan By determining the current objectives of company in order to enhance the 15% of its market presence and also share its commodities and in relation with this Next PLC need to take prominent actions that are discussed as under: 5
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Manufacturers of many countries apart from China need to put emphasis on diversifying their material which they use in developing apparel, increasing the diversity of products and also diversify the end markets which they export. Moreover, policies and strategies matters a lot in each stage of apparel for the global value chain. In addition to this, to be in competitive environment, companies need to work with their government in order to make sure the trade policies and develop relations with other countries as well. CONCLUSION By considering the above information it is determined that retail industry is the one which can easily modify itself according to the needs and preferences of its customers within its current services and procedure. Thus, to sustain in the dynamic business environment and to give tough competition to their rivals company need to develop number of strategies on the basis of its 6
prominent research. Their research is helpful in order to deliver them best experience towards their respective customers and higher rate of returns to shareholders. 7
REFERENCES Books and Journals Cairns, D. and Areepattamannil, S., 2019. Exploring the relations of inquiry-based teaching to science achievement and dispositions in 54 countries.Research in Science Education.49(1). pp.1-23. Efstathiou, I., Kyza, E.A. and Georgiou, Y., 2018. An inquiry-based augmented reality mobile learning approach to fostering primary school students’ historical reasoning in non- formal settings.Interactive Learning Environments.26(1). pp.22-41. Kasemsap, K., 2018. The roles of corporate marketing strategies and brand management in the global retail industry. InDigital Marketing and Consumer Engagement: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications.(pp. 294-325). IGI Global. Khalaf, B.K., 2018. Traditional and Inquiry-Based Learning Pedagogy: A Systematic Critical Review.International Journal of Instruction.11(4). pp.545-564. PRAYOGI, S. and YUANITA, L., 2018. Critical Inquiry Based Learning: A Model of Learning to Promote Critical Thinking Among Prospective Teachers of Physic.Journal of Turkish Science Education.15(1). pp.43-56. Ramnarain, U. and Hlatswayo, M., 2018. Teacher beliefs and attitudes about inquiry-based learning in a rural school district in South Africa.South African Journal of Education.38(1). Siayah, S., Setiawan, A.R. and Van Bee, J.L., 2019. The Impact of Inquiry Based Learning Implementation In Indonesia to Secondary School Student’s Achievement. Song, Y. and Wen, Y., 2018. Integrating various apps on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) into seamless inquiry-based learning to enhance primary students’ science learning.Journal of Science Education and Technology.27(2). pp.165-176. Thongkoo, K., Panjaburee, P. and Daungcharone, K., 2019. A development of ubiquitous learning support system based on an enhanced inquiry-based learning approach.International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation.13(2). pp.129- 151. Yuliati, L., Riantoni, C. and Mufti, N., 2018. Problem Solving Skills on Direct Current Electricity through Inquiry-Based Learning with PhET Simulations.International Journal of Instruction.11(4). pp.123-138. 8
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APPENDIX Face to face interviewWhich product makes NEXT PLC more unique? The quality of fabric, designs, availability of products and effective workforce makes NEXT PLC more unique. As because of all these factors company can easily retain their customers for longer period of time that is useful in enhancing the sales and revenues for company.Does NEXT PLC promote their new products? Yes, company use various attractive promotion tools which is useful in attracting the attention of many people with the help of social media as it is the significant tool which is useful in increasing sales and revenues of company.Why do people shop at NEXT PLC? People shop at NEXT PLC because of its wide variety of product range and quality of products that is useful sufficient enough to attract maximum number of customers.What is the impact of COVID-19 on NEXT PLC? Due to the impact of COVID-19 the sales and profitability gets negatively impacted and company face prominent crisis due to the impact of corona virus. Primary Research Questionnaire Q1. Does Next PLC offer good quality services?Frequency a)Yes40 b)No10 Q2. Does Next PLC able to meet the requirements of its customers?Frequency a)Yes35 b)No15 Q3. What quality of Next PLC you like the most?Frequency a)Product range10 b)Quality of service20 c)After sales service20 9