Role of Information and Data in Retail Industry - Debenhams

This report explores the role of information and data in the retail industry, focusing on Debenhams. It outlines the importance of information and data in customer relationship management and innovation. It also discusses the types of data collected by Debenhams and how it is used in day-to-day operations. The report highlights the use of data for business decision making and the integration of market research with management information systems to increase insights.

DIGITAL INSIGHTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Outline the role of information and data within your industry or profession sector..........3
2. State what type of data is collected and used by the organisation and if this is 1st, 2nd, or
third-party data.......................................................................................................................4
3. Set out how information and data is used within the day to day operations of organisations
within that sector....................................................................................................................5
4. Explain how information is captured and stored with key references to types of databases
and information system..........................................................................................................5
5. Give an example of how data is used to deliver insight for business decision making within
your sector..............................................................................................................................6
6. Describe market research secondary and primary studies can used in conjunction with MIS
and other database system to increase insights.......................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Data insight is defined as the new technology which can be used by businesses in order to
get deep examination over information which has been procured by them on some particular
subject or situation. Given data or information is processed in such a way that new development
can be rendered and innovation can be given to potential customers. Data insight can be used and
developed in such a manner that informative decisions can be taken by which risk mitigated.
Businesses are adopting hit and trial approach by which problems can be identified and
appropriate solution can be found out(Auffray and et. al., 2016). This report is prepared for
understanding various concepts regarding data insight in respect of Debenhams which is a
British international retailer headquartered in London, UK. The company was founded in the
year of 1778 and in current time Debenhams market leader in UK. The report includes
examination of role of information and data sight in retail industry and methods by which
information can be collected and stored as well.
1. Outline the role of information and data within your industry or profession sector.
Information within retail industry and in context of Debenhams is defined as the resources
by which data can be accumulated in perfect time lap and from market secondary data can be
collected and stored for future and long term use. Information is defined as set of raw data which
is existed in every business and for Debenhams also these are very crucial. So in this manner
information are required to be processed in such a way that all the resources can be used at
optimal manner. Internal data of every organisation is case sensitive so for this management is
keeping those crucial and sensitive information in way proper manner. Besides this within
external environment several data is present and in context of retail industry commercial
information are being gathered through which competitor’s analysis can be performed(Becher ,
2018).
These data and set of information subsists significant role in inhaling changes and
development of retail industry. Similar to this information plays prominent role in enhancing
overall productivity of the management and power of taking accurate decisions through which
business complexities can be eliminated up to desired manner. There are various roles which are
existed in order to minimise business complexities and these are enumerated as under:

 Customer Relationship Management: The major role of information within retail
sector is to develop and intensify customer relationship. Supply chain management is
associated with retail industry which is playing a lead role in bridging gap within
producers and final consumers. This data is helpful for retail industry to deal with
customer reactions and understanding the same in proper way so that appropriate
information can be rendered in favour of customers.
 Update and Produce: The available information within retail industry is having
prominent impact over innovativeness and creativeness as this industry needs continual
improvements. Besides this as the data is captured by retailer this enhances knowledge
which motivates business to intake societal trends and emerging demands of buyers. By
this brand new ideas can be inhaled due to which business development opportunities can
be developed in immense manner (Bergemann and Bonatti, 2019).
2. State what type of data is collected and used by the organisation and if this is 1st, 2nd, or
third-party data.
Debenhams is one of the prominent organisation situated in UK, the company is having
reach of their business at global markets. In initial days right after their establishment they
started the company with a very little investment and location but after passage of time and by
applying tremendous efforts and resources, optimal operational efficacy is being introduced by
the company in a very short span of time. This information’s is termed as useful asset for the
organisation and treated as crucial as well. In recent years businesses are using modern business
practices and for this data insights and information are playing essential role in managing
decision made by businesses.
Gathered data stimulates examination of customer is such a way that their likes and
dislikes can be undertaken in proper way. Along with this level of inventory within store can be
examined by forecasting inventory within various places. This is saving cost and enhancing
overall business productivity. For Debenhams primary and secondary data collection is eminent
for them to understand market trends.
Primary: The primary data which can be collected through sources which are not present in
external market and are freshly gathered. This information is gathered through first hand and
doesn’t involve any other party.

Secondary: The secondary data is defined as used information which was previously collected
by another person or entity. In this context Debenhams is company is taking out information
from secondary sources(Ghauri, Grønhaug and Strange, 2020).
3. Set out how information and data is used within the day to day operations of organisations
within that sector.
Debenhams is dealing in retail sector in which company is having prominent share in
market and they are managing operational functions in effective manner. The information and
data executes vital role within short and long term development of business and attaining goals
as well. Thus collected data leads to making of effective changes through which efficiency and
productivity can be improvised. There are various measures which are undertaken within
collection of data and information, the same are explained under:
 Maintaining Inventory count: The inventory is one of the major elements in retail
industry and this should be measured in figures. These figures are enabling to initiate
consumption in such a way that appropriate decisions can be taken by inventory manager.
This helped managers to understand trends of revenues and profitability as well(Gilchrist,
2016).
 Personalised Shopping Experience: In retail industry and for Debenhams customers are
treated as backbone of the organisation and in this context primal aim of the business is
set to provide ultimate satisfaction to customers. Thus collected information may provide
primal ideas regarding expectations of customer and the level in which the same are
being fulfilled. These collected information may guide sales executive to provide better
experience of shopping to buyer so that solutions can be rendered to major issues.
4. Explain how information is captured and stored with key references to types of databases and
information system
Database and information system defines the organized and manageable range of
collection of data and information that is different in nature from one another. There are several
software applications within information system that allows the integration with the user, the
database itself and the applications doe effectively capture and examine the collected information
from different sources and facts. Debenhams is one of the leading companies that is digitally
advanced by using the upgraded technology conveniently so that changes can be done effectively
and efficiently in performing the operational activities. In case of Debenhams there is some

information system that is prominently used by the business organizations to support the various
processes within business. Some types of information system and databases can be shown below:
 Electronic Spreadsheet- This information system is effectively used by the company
Debenhams. As it is based on specific formulas and reflected as a core system which
helps in representing the relationship between filling data and stored data(He, Wang and
Akula, 2017).
 Geographical Information System- This aspect is mainly effective for Debenhams
because this factor is beneficial for organisation in managing and identifying in mostly
geographical information. This helps the business enterprise to grow their synergy related
to operational decision for diversing location in wide range.
 Enterprise Resource Planning- It is a significant system for organisation that is
designed for given the appropriate support to carry out and process the concentrated
scrutiny. In terms of Debenhams, enterprise resource planning is helpful to combining
intrinsic and extrinsic information management within the operational
management(Storey, 2016).
 Database Management System- It refers to combination of software and data that is
used by the Debenhams to organize and analyzed the whole operational data. It is
friendly system which helps in storing and analyzing the data in every field. It is very
common that most of the company can adopts.
5. Give an example of how data is used to deliver insight for business decision making within
your sector
Within Retail industry, data can be helpful in supporting the several decisions and
strategies of the Debenhams. In organisation data can be useful for delivering the insights to top
authority related to the range of aspects. For Instance- In case of Debenhams transferring the
processing process information system is very effective and prominent for storing, retrieving,
collecting and modifying the several useful transactions that is developed by the buyers within
the business premises(Mazzei and Noble, 2017).
In Debenhams, this information system is very important in a way that firstly in this the
barcode of the goods can be scanned at the retail counter by the use of barcode scanner that helps
in displaying the amount at the computer screen easily. At the time of sale the unit of the
products that is being sold by the company to their customers is transferred to database that can

reflects within stock balance. It also discloses the total products that can be sold and how much
needed to be refill within the stores. Hence, this information can be provided by analysis of
statistical data that is majorly supported by the managers for enhancing the customer attraction
related to products so that they can refill their inventory effectively. This helps in smooth
functioning of the activities within the organization.
6. Describe market research secondary and primary studies can used in conjunction with MIS
and other database system to increase insights
Management information system is one of the significant terms within the information
technology for managing the tractions and activities of the organisation. It is also useful for
storing, collecting and processing the data which is further used by the manager in future for
taking the profitable decisions on the routine activities. The main purpose of using this system is
to extract the data according to primary and secondary basis that can helps the business
enterprise in their higher growth and profits earnings(Rayes and Salam, 2017).
In case of Debenhams, manager can use the social trends previous presented information
that can assist in taking decisions for future growth. For example- Because of COVID 19,
suppliers of the company can stops and slows down because of strict government decisions on
export and import. Due to this management of the company focus on the data and stock by using
the MIS software so that daily needs can be effectively fulfilled by company without facing any
issue. In this information management system supports the activities and management of the
company to make the use of the data and information from primary and secondary factors that
can conjunctions with the management information system(Wang and et. al., 2018).
CONCLUSION
From the above explanation it is concluded that the digital insights is one the essential
terms as per the current business environment. it inculcates potential data and its effectiveness
that will helps the enterprise by provided the knowledge and information that is collected from
the past within the business industry. The role of the data within the organisation is reflecting
more creativity and innovation in the working environment of the firm, goods and services and it
can be changes as per the demands of the business environment within the business industry. It
also involves the data that is collected, summarizes, stored and processed is very helpful in
gaining the long and short term objectives within the marketplace. In company the processed and
collected data can be used by the management in their day to day activities for enhancing the

results in high profits. It also helps in attracting large base of customers by satisfying all their
needs and demands effectively and efficiently.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Auffray and et. al., 2016. Making sense of big data in health research: towards an EU action
plan. Genome medicine. 8(1). pp.1-13.
Becher, T. ed., 2018. Professional practices: Commitment and capability in a changing
environment. Routledge.
Bergemann, D. and Bonatti, A., 2019. Markets for information: An introduction. Annual Review
of Economics, 11, pp.85-107.
Ghauri, P., Grønhaug, K. and Strange, R., 2020. Research methods in business studies.
Cambridge University Press.
Gilchrist, A., 2016. Industry 4.0: the industrial internet of things. Apress.
He, W., Wang, F.K. and Akula, V., 2017. Managing extracted knowledge from big social media
data for business decision making. Journal of Knowledge Management.
Mazzei, M.J. and Noble, D., 2017. Big data dreams: A framework for corporate
strategy. Business Horizons. 60(3). pp.405-414.
Rayes, A. and Salam, S., 2017. Internet of things from hype to reality. The Road to Digitization;
River Publisher Series in Communications; Springer: Basel, Switzerland, 49.
Storey, D.J., 2016. Understanding the small business sector. Routledge.
Wang, Y. and et. al., 2018. An integrated big data analytics-enabled transformation model:
Application to health care. Information & Management. 55(1). pp.64-79.