Data-Driven Responses to Disruption: Retail and Tertiary Education

This report analyzes the impact of disruption on the Australian retail and tertiary education industries, highlighting the need for data-driven responses. It examines the business context of both sectors, detailing current trends and challenges. The report suggests data analytics strategies for Woolworths in the retail sector and Oxford University in tertiary education, emphasizing operationalization and benefits. Specifically, it explores how Woolworths can leverage data analytics to enhance customer experiences and forecast demand, while Oxford can utilize online learning platforms to adapt to industry changes. The report also provides references to support the findings and recommendations, emphasizing the importance of data in adapting to disruption.

Solutions to Disruption to a
Traditional Business
1

A business context of Australian retailing industry.....................................................................3
Disruption in industry..................................................................................................................3
Suggestion regarding a data-driven response to disruption that could be applied by
Woolworths in retail sector..........................................................................................................4
Operationalising the proposed solution.......................................................................................4
A business context of Tertiary education...................................................................................7
Disruption in industry..................................................................................................................8
Suggestion regarding a data-driven response to disruption that could be applied by Oxford in
Tertiary education........................................................................................................................8
Operationalising the proposed solution.......................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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A business context of Australian retailing industry
Australian retailing sector witnessed a positive growth from last decades. Country is
having most developed societies in the whole world with having estimated number of 24 million
populations and most of them are living in urban areas of Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne,
and Adelaide. It has been determined that Australia has registered with significant high per
capita GDP. In addition with it has been identified that from footwear and fashion to electronics
and furniture retailers within Australia is earning significantly as per compared to other
economies around the world. Retailing sector acts as most essential fabric of Australian economy
that contributes major contributions in country overall GDP rate. As per according to the report it
has been identified that Australia retailing sector effectively increased by 2. 6% in August, 2019.
This ratio significantly increased by 2.4% as compared to previous month. With having large
number of opportunities, economic stability and skilled labours retail sector within Australia
measure significant growth which is rapidly increasing on periodic basis. In addition with this, it
has been identified that, retailing industry effectively contributes in country gross domestic
production by employing more than 1.2 million workers that makes Australia second largest
employing industry around the globe.
Disruption in industry
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia's largest association, representing the
country's $310 billion sector. It has been identified that retailing sector is one of the fastest
growing sector as per compared to other sector, as it significantly measured constant growth with
maximum customer satisfaction. It has been identify that retailing sector within Australia is
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going through biggest destruction to change demographic and customer’s expectations. Thus, in
order to overcome this data analytics acts as an one of the most significant tool by undertaking
which organisation within retailing sector can effectively able to identify potential customers
needs and further identifying the most appropriate way to handle them. In relation with Coles
Supermarket that engages in the function of offering their services in retailing, supermarket and
consumer services industrial sector. Company can undertake retail data analytics in order to
frame marketing strategy as to have regular check on inventory level, customer demand, supply
chain movement, sales etc. Australia is getting more competitive day by day thus, it is essential
for company to maximize their business progress and satisfy Expectations of customers in best
effective manner. Thus, applying Data Analytics company can effectively able to forecast sales
and future demand and identify the interest of customers. This will effectively aid company to
increase their competitive edge as compared to others. Data Analytics acts as a most essential
element, as with the help of algorithms Coles Supermarket can effectively able to track demand,
activities of competitors, inventory level and can further respond automatically to market
challenges in time effective manner. In addition with this data analyst also aid organisation to
identify their future performance prediction and can further satisfy customers in best effective
manner. Major benefits that can be undertaken by organisation from data analyst is that, they can
pick out the highest return on investment opportunity and can effectively satisfy customers
through various Technology engines.
Suggestion regarding a data-driven response to disruption that could be applied by Woolworths
in retail sector
The digital disruption of data analytics can also be feasibly applied by one of the biggest
competitors of Coles Supermarkets named Woolworths. In case the same technology is adopted
by Woolworths, it would provide aid to the organisation in maintaining customer experiences in
an effective manner. The mobile POS systems of this entity would be acting as mini CRM
systems them, providing assistance to the entity in maintaining communication with customers.
This would also enable the firm to gain knowledge of the past purchases done by customers in
order to anticipate their likelihood towards a particular product segment.
Operationalising the proposed solution
Coles Supermarket is one of the leading retail chains operating within the confines of
Australia. Coles has maintained an Omni channel strategy which focuses upon enhancing its
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existing differentiating factors such as convenience within the stores, large and loyal base of
customers and effectively trained and enriched associates within the stores. All of this is done by
way of digital enhancements which inflate as well as foster rewards loyalty and streamline
fulfilment.
Coles’ leveraged digital disruption to inflate and build upon its present advantages:
a) The company recruited and selected a digitally comfortable Chief Operating Officer
with a view to get Omni channel developed.
b) The organisation made an Omni channel foundation by keeping customers at the top of
their mindset. In this regard, Coles enhanced shipping as well as fulfilment amount of expense as
a proportion of digital revenues, while inflating the pace to customers by almost half of the day.
c) The entity transformed associates from shop keepers to service ninjas. In this regard,
the organisation met “buy online, pick up in-store” and ship from stores order equivalent to
quantum met by 3 fulfilment centres.
d) Started making use of mobile application to ensure ease and comfort for customers
while also monetising its digital strategies with the digital wallet.
Future of Coles Supermarkets also emphasizes upon better utilisation and implementation of
Data:
Coles is gaining access into the next stage of its digital journey by being smart with the
implementation of data analytics within the company.
a) The entity is keen on making use of store Wi-Fi to inflate engagement of customers.
The associated benefit of this would be that Wi-Fi would allow the logged in individuals to find
the items within the stores.
b) The organisation is also looking forward to personalize messaging with the prime
motive of capitalising on the local store stock.
c) The entity is keen on making use of data of customers by way of its mobile application
as well as digital wallet to devise suggestions regarding products.
d) Whereby an item is out of stock at any of the local outlets of company, the mobile
application of the organisation would make it easier for the customers to order such product by
making use of their smartphones.
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A business context of Tertiary education
All the diplomas, degrees or certifies obtain after secondary education are consider under
Tertiary education. This industry has seen remarkable growth in past few decades and according
to many researches, United Kingdom is one of the best place for postsecondary studies
(PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN UK HIGHER EDUCATION, 2018). Below are few points which
can provide necessary information about Tertiary education:
 Income of higher education institutes – This billion pound industry has seen an increment
of £1 billion in 2017-18. Main reason behind increase in revenue is teaching fees,
contribution from presentation of research is also significant.
(Source: Universities UK analysis of HESA Finance Record, 2016−17)
 Operating expenditure – Although the margin in Tertiary education is decent but teaching
and research work consumes huge amount of money. They do have key contribution in
increasing business but they are having same kind of contribution in operational
expenditure. According to statistics by Universities UK, more than 55% of spending of
Higher education institution are on teaching and research activities.
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Illustration 1: Universities UK analysis of HESA Finance Record

Disruption in industry
Internet impacted almost every industry that is present in this world and Tertiary
education didn't remain untouched. Online learning like m-learning is disruption Tertiary
education industry as it is providing quality education without going to any college of coaching
classes (EDTECH: LONDON CAPITAL FOR LEARNING TECHNOLOGY, 2018). If a student
fails to understand a concept taught by someone on any online learning website/application, then
they can check another video and learn from it. Higher flexibility and affordability is another
advantages which is change the way of learning for students. There are many companies who are
already signing contracts with reputed Universities so they can develop a quality product that is
easily marketable. For example, online lectures by Oxford professors will definitely attract
millions of students as they do not have many unaffordable tuition fees.
 Edtech is one of the fastest developing sector, it is easily attracting investment of million
and people are ready to invest in it because they know that learning techniques are going
to change in upcoming time.
 Traditionally, UK is considered as education hub and for ''Online learning disruption'',
England is perfect place. According to EY, it is among top 10 places to do business.
Many global firms have their headquarters in London which shows the upcoming Edtech
firms will make UK as their primary target.
 With improving internet facilities, Online learning is going to get extra push as tutors and
learners can easily get uninterrupted internet with high speed.
 Global reach is another major plus point, it means that even a small Start-up can find
millions of customer in any part of this world as there is no need of physical presence
learning a new subject.
 In present scenario, most of the online learning websites/applications do not have much
tie-ups with reputed Universities but recent trend shows that in upcoming time Online
learning website will become partner of these Universities as they are ready to pay huge
amount for getting official certifications and degrees from these universities.
Suggestion regarding a data-driven response to disruption that could be applied by Oxford in
Tertiary education
 Online learning not only benefits students but also help lecturers to undertake quick
access to updated content.
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 Online learning helps students to retain information for long duration of time and can
improve their scores in best effective manner.
 Students can learn through various lecturers in cost effective and flexible manner as
online learning.
 Allow students to have 24/ 7 access to online courses.
 Also allow students to train themselves on weekends as there are no hard and fast rules in
online learning.
 Students can have access to expertise and can further increase their knowledge with the
help of experienced lecturers.
It has been identified that online earning provides various resources to students as well
as lecturers in various formats. It is an effective way to deliver courses online in convenient and
flexible manner. Students those who working on full time basis can also Undertake advantage of
online based learning and can independently increase their knowledge with having flexible
learning options.
Operationalising the proposed solution
The proposed solution of online learning is being operationalised within the confines of
Oxford College by making use of technological, financial and human resources. This is being
executed by the top management of this college with the sole motive of facilitating a better form
of learning as well as teaching experiences for students and teachers. This is a technology which
would disrupt the industry and bring good name to the college as it is taking a big step towards
shaping the future of individuals carrying out studies within its boundaries. The need to reform
education within Australia and other parts of the globe is necessary so as to ensure a bright future
for students and to give them a platform whereby they can carry out learning on an extensive
level. Further, online learning within college education would also provide assistance to learners
in revising the lectures taught in college after going to their homes. This would open the way for
them to effectively carry out their revisions so as to score good in assessments and examinations.
It would imply the stipulation of highest standard of education for young people irrespective of
their caste, creed or gender.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Patents and Trends. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/facts-
and-stats/data-and-analysis/Documents/patterns-and-trends-in-uk-higher-education-
2018.pdf>
EDTECH: LONDON CAPITAL FOR LEARNING TECHNOLOGY. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:
<https://www.ednfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/EdtechUK_LP_report.pdf>
Australia Retail Sales Growth. 2019. [Online] Available
Through<https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/australia/retail-sales-growth>
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Australia Retail Sales Growth. 2019. [Online] Available
Through<https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/australia/retail-sales-growth>
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