BOOTS Company: Inquiry-Based Learning, Performance, and Retail Trends

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of BOOTS Company, examining its background, aims, and performance within the context of current retail trends. It includes a SWOT analysis, assessing the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The report also explores the impact of Brexit on retail trends and BOOTS Company, discussing challenges related to import/export policies and labor costs. Furthermore, it offers recommendations for continued success and long-term survival, emphasizing the importance of supplier diversification, leadership changes, and a focus on innovation and cost control. The analysis highlights the need for BOOTS to adapt to online marketing strategies and customize products to meet evolving customer demands, as well as conduct research to understand consumer preferences and the effectiveness of its products. The report utilizes a variety of sources including books, journals, and online resources to support its findings.

INQUIRY BASED
LEARNING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
COMPANY BACKGROUND........................................................................................................4
AIMS:..............................................................................................................................................4
SWOT ANALYSIS.........................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
Performances Analysis of BOOTS company in terms of current retail trends..............................11
Brexit affected in retail trends and BOOTS Company .................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Inquiry based learning involves such learning which is based on students to share their
own ideas, thoughts and expression regarding various situations (Alvermann and et.al., 2018).
Thus, learning helps them to gain more knowledge and experience in expanding their mind set in
different sectors. The present report is based on boots company and it includes the learning into
its various sectors.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
In context of BOOTS company, it was founded by John Boots in 1849 in UK. The
company mainly deal in health and beauty products, and also carry the pharmacy chain from
approx. 170 years ago. They carry their business mainly in UK and other territories of Ireland
and Thailand and also engaged with large number of employees which resultant into carry their
operational work. In 2006, Boots company plc merged their business with Alliance Uni chem to
carry their brands name as the Alliance Boots and expand their business into large scale
(Thompson, Hickey and Thompson, 2016). After having such success in the available products,
they expand their business into certain social activities relating to funds providing to charitable
trust and also dealing in real estate business. Due to having large number of employees and also
expansion of business operational activities they enhance their business through online
marketing and gain many profits from these methods.
AIMS:
The aim of the BOOTS company is to enhance more care and faith among the customers
towards their products and also innovate new design in their existing products to cultivate a new
mind set to keep the customer perception a new priority.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strength: -
The strength of the BOOTS company is that they are already renowned among the world,
so there is no need of spending more on marketing as customers are already attracted with the
services which they are offering (Huggins, Prokop and Thompson, 2017). At the time of
preferring the franchising business, it is easier for the company to take loan from any banks as
they carry the strong brand name in the Market and also maintain their reputation at large scale.
Weakness: -

Boots have limited number of suppliers in its business and due to this reason in case its
relationship sour with them then in that case may face huge problems in its business. Their
designs are exclusive and rarely available to produce such product in that case if they didn't find
the right raw material to produce such products it results in facing crucial problems to implement
such product. Usually if they bring new products in the market, the cost management is
important which the BOOTS company is weak to manage it in proper way. In case of franchising
the business two parties are involved in which if the franchisor changes the line of business it
results in causing serious problems to franchisee to overcome from the issue which they are
facing (Fernie and Sparks, 2018).
Opportunities: -
Major opportunity for BOOTS in the emerging market like India is that there are large
number of suppliers in the mentioned nation and company have good relationship with them.
Hence, it can get rid of problem of low supply and high cost in the business. BOOTS can expand
their business in India as there is large labour to produce such products and provide quality
services. The business of BOOTS and the products which they are providing are in huge
demand, thus there are more chances of expanding their business into different countries and also
easily communicate with different people as they’re engaged with large number of employees to
carry their business activities (Tidd and Bessant, 2018).
Threats: -
Major threat for the firm is that in the pharmaceutical industry there are large number of
competitors in terms of generic medicines (Boots SWOT Analysis, competitors &USP, 2019). It
is very hard to compete on basis of generic drugs in the market. Government prepare strict rules
and regulations which firms have to follow. In case of violation of these rules and regulations
heavy penalty need to be paid to relevant authority (Christopher, 2016). Hence, on this front firm
is facing huge problem.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Alvermann, D. E. and et.al., 2018. Popular culture in the classroom: Teaching and researching
critical media literacy. Routledge.
Christopher, M., 2016. Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. eds., 2018. Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new
challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers.
Huggins, R., Prokop, D. and Thompson, P., 2017. Entrepreneurship and the determinants of firm
survival within regions: human capital, growth motivation and locational
conditions. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. 29(3-4). pp.357-389.
Thompson, W. E., Hickey, J. V. and Thompson, M. L., 2016. Society in focus: An introduction to
sociology. Rowman & Littlefield.
Tidd, J. and Bessant, J. R., 2018. Managing innovation: integrating technological, market and
organizational change. John Wiley & Sons.
Online:
Boots SWOT Analysis, competitors &USP. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.mbaskool.com/brandguide/lifestyle-and-retail/4198-boots.html>.

RECOMMENDATION
Continuing in Success:
From the above report it is to be recommended that BOOTS company carry the strong
brand reputation in the market and due to this reason, it must make low marketing expenses in its
business (Hammad, 2015). It is recommended that firm must increase its supplier base so that
dependency on few one can be eliminated. Many times, due to some reasons relationship with
the suppliers get disturbed and due to this reason production process get delayed. On other hand,
many times if relationship get sour with the logistic supplier of firm product then in that case
supply of firm produced units reduced to great extent in the market. Hence, firm must increase
suppliers of raw material and logistics so that production and market supply operations can be
performed smoothly in the business.
In order to continue success story business firm can think about changing its leaders.
Many times, due to poor leadership style firms failed to thrive their business. Thus, change in
leadership will lead to origination of new business idea and innovative solutions for solving
business problem (Khan, 2019). Hence, it can be said that leadership can play a crucial role in
success of the business firm in the highly competitive market. There are large number of
examples where it can be observed that because of good leadership firm came out of loss and run
on growth path. Thus, firm can pick any specific employee from its workforce and can promote
it to leadership position. Such kind of practice motivate one to work hard. Apart from this, one is
aware about firm internal problem and due to this reason easily identify solution of the business
problem.
Survival in business:
In order to survive for long term in the emerging world firm need to focus more on
bringing new medicines so that they can attract the customers for longer term (Shrestha, 2017).
To maintain their stability in the global market they had to focus more on promoting their
products through social media marketing and by the strategy they can appoint a reputed brand
ambassador to promote their products (Backman, 2015). In order to survive in the business
firm, need to focus on cost control. It is the cost control which assist firm in remaining in the
competition. Firm can follow business process re-engineering process in order to identify steps
where cost is high. By taking specific steps cost can be controlled to great extent in the business
(Debnath and Roy, 2018). Survival usually do by teaching the innovative skill to their employee

and also, they are to be motivated by appraising the rewards and other benefits to the employees
to produce more product in the company and increase their sales by delivering more quality
products in other countries.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Backman, J., 2015. Online Environment Market Research: Travel Lions Entering the UK
Market.
Debnath, A. and Roy, J., 2018. Integrated Fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS Model for Optimization of
National Defense Management Based on Inclusive Growth Drivers Using SWOT Analysis.
In Handbook of Research on Military Expenditure on Economic and Political Resources.
(pp. 81-105). IGI Global.
Hammad, A., 2015. Strategic Change and Its Management to Expand Business Through
Implementation of Models: A Case Study of Boots UK. Available at SSRN 2676800.
Hridoy, T. A. and et.al., 2019. An Overview on Local and Global Branded Products for Knit
Apparels in Bangladesh and their effect on consumer behavior. International Journal of
Scientific Research and Management. 7(02).
Khan, M. R., 2019. Startup Modelling Through Strategy Frame for Long Term Sustainability.
Shrestha, P. N., 2017. Investigating the learning transfer of genre features and conceptual
knowledge from an academic literacy course to business studies: Exploring the potential of
dynamic assessment. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 25. pp.1-17.

Performances Analysis of BOOTS company in terms of current retail trends
With change in time number of alternatives comes in existence in the market due to
which people now becoming more selective in respect to purchase of products from specific
retail store. It is very important to measure firm performance and industry trends in order to
identify whether firm performance is in alignment to same of industry (Fernie and Sparks, 2018).
It can be observed that in the current time period large number of retail firms are engaging online
with the customers through social media platforms. Apart from this, indirectly through other
company specific portal firms are generating sales in the business. On these front BOOTS is far
behind its rivals and due to this reason, it become more important for it to increase its presence in
online market. In this regard firm can hire any social media marketing agency which will identify
prospective on Facebook which can purchase firm product. On basis of data generated through
Facebook research can be carried out and best audience can be identified which will lead to fast
increase in sales of company products (Retail Trends 2019, 2019). Along with this, contact can
be established with online drug retail firms and additionally sales can be generated through their
portal. In this way, by taking actions firm can improve its performance.
In current time period it can be observed that for same category of product there are
different requirements of people. It become necessary to provide customized products to the
customers. As customer are preferring such products which are designed to satisfy their needs
and, in that case, BOOTS is far behind its rivals (Scott and Walker, 2018). Firm need to do deep
research in order to identify exact requirements of the customers. It is possible that people using
beauty cream may have different impact on them individually. For some people it may be a good
cream and for some it may be less or ineffective cream. By conducting research BOOT can
identify reasons due to which its products are proving ineffective for the people. Accordingly, it
can prepare customized products and can serve customers in better way. Firms like Pfizer
consistently carried out research projects and accordingly decide generic medicine they need to
manufacture in order to meet needs and wants of the customers.
Brexit affected in retail trends and BOOTS Company
During the time of Brexit, various changes occurs which affect the retail trend and
company growth performances at larger scale. The factors are relating to the polices which is
imposed by government in respect of barriers of import and export of goods during the time of
Brexit. BOOTS deal in pharmaceutics, thus the major issue which they are facing are in

respective of importing and exporting the medicines which through the impact of Brexit results
in facing heavy losses (Caprotti and et.al., 2016). It results in facing various taxes and duties
which is imposed in respective of exporting the products in different places.
After BREXIT labour cost for BOOTS may increase at rapid pace. This is because after
BREXIT foreign nationals have to go back to their nation. As retail sectors relies on 3,00,00+EU
labour workforce. During the time period of Brexit, the labours will be compelled to go back to
their home nation and this will lead to shortage of labour in the domestic market (Impact of
Brexit on Retail Industry, 2017). Ultimately, due to labour shortage employment cost increase in
the business which lead to decline in profit in the business (Hook, 2017). This is one of the major
area of concern for the BOOTS and it in case BREXIT happened it will need to follow cost
control strategy so that profit can be maintained in the business.
After Brexit, legal restrictions can be imposed by EU nations which may affect sale of the
BOOTS product in relevant nations. Firm will need to comply with all rules and regulations in
order to sale its product in EU (Eisert and Dwarkasing, 2018). Apart from this, BOOTS need to
seek permission first of all to enter in to EU market from regulatory authority. Thus, due to all
these conditions for few months low profit can be observed in the business.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Caprotti, F. and et.al., 2016. Smart-eco cities in the UK: trends and city profiles 2016. University
of Exeter, Exeter.
Eisert, T. and Dwarkasing, M. S. D., 2018. An event study on the Brexit Referendum.
Fernie, J. and Sparks, L. eds., 2018. Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new
challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers.
Hook, M., 2017. Not an island: the symbiotic connection of the UK and global advertising
industry. In Global Advertising Practice in a Borderless World. (pp. 87-98). Routledge.
Scott, P. and Walker, J. T., 2018. Retailing under resale price maintenance: Economies of scale
and scope, and firm strategic response, in the inter-war British retail pharmacy
sector. Business History. 60(6). pp.807-832.
Online
Impact of Brexit on Retail Industry. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.fticonsulting-emea.com/~/media/Files/emea—files/insights/articles/impacts-
brexit-retail-industry.pdf>.
Retail Trends 2019. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/retail-trends.html>.