Retail Sector Trends and Marks & Spencer Performance Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the retail industry trends, with a specific focus on Marks & Spencer (M&S). It begins with an overview of the current state of the retail sector, highlighting key trends such as the impact of Brexit, the rise of online purchasing, supply chain strategies, consumer-centric approaches, emerging technologies, and corporate social responsibility. The report then applies these trends to an analysis of M&S, including a SWOT analysis and an examination using Porter's Five Forces model. Primary data analysis, gathered through a survey, is used to assess M&S's performance in relation to these trends. The analysis identifies gaps and weaknesses in M&S's strategies, particularly in online presence and consumer engagement. The report concludes with recommendations for M&S to adapt to the changing retail environment, emphasizing the importance of improved online shopping, enhanced CSR practices, and technological integration. The report aims to provide a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the retail sector and offer actionable insights for businesses like M&S to achieve long-term success.

INQUIRY BASED
LEARNING

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Task 1: Retail Industry Trends........................................................................................................1
TASK 2-Marks & Spencer Analysis...............................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Retail sector is one of the wider and most significant industries in the international market.
Within this business sector, there are number of international firm perform and operate their
business activities and operations. However, the trends of the market keep modifying and these
ventures need keeping up with the changing environment in reference to managing a separate
place in this highly competitive sector (Feldt and Petersen, 2020). This document has been
completed with the target of examining the modifications in retail market trends. For the
completion of this written document Mark & Spencer is the firm which is considered. This firm
was incorporated in 1884 and is headquartered in London, England, UK. It is a major British
multinational retailer which specialises in selling clothing, home commodities and food items
etc. Moreover, the functioning of Marks & Spencer will be assessed in regards with the altering
market atmosphere to find out it’s possible and prevalent weaknesses and risks. On the basis of
the information appropriate suggestions have been provided to cover up and fill the gap in the
functions of chosen venture.
Task 1: Retail Industry Trends
As per the view of Nazir S. (2019), the previous year was a challenging, if not strenuous
time for the UK retail sector. In fact, as per to two separate reports from the Retail sales Monitor
and the Retail think tank 2019 was the worst year when it came to the overall health of Britain’s
retail industry. There is not only did it present some of the difficult trading situations in modern
history, resulting in over 140,000 job losses, the catastrophe may constant into 2020. Approx
8000 outlets closed in 2019 with retail specialist forecasting this to constant at the same pace. As
per the Jones, (2019), the retail sector has been going through important transformation over the
years. It is majorly due to internationalisation and the shrinking markets. The limits and
boundaries are getting hazed and with technical and digital innovation, the business sector has
developed rapidly. The extrinsic atmosphere leans to modify with cause of course of time, and it
may be observed that there are several factors that are linked and are accountable for
enhancement of certain trends that popular of the retail organisations follow:
Brexit Strategies- The strategic executions for retail sector businesses regarding with Brexit
are one f the most reliable political atmospheres modifies that most of the industries considering
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the retail sector. In context of Brexit and developing hesitation of its potentials impacts, it is
analysed that the retail sectors have been making new plan of actions.
The plan of actions as such is considered by retailers and dealers cause of expectation and
great possibilities of no deal Brexit to get announced. Hence, correct steps are considered by the
key retailer of UK brands. Online purchasing us still another key trend that is being greatly
accepted by most of the retailers, specifically the ones having better scope and resources to be
used in reference to find out to wide numbers of consumers in most developed manner (Pedaste,
Mitt and Jürivete, 2020). The online platforms are protesting on their form to become most
famous medium for buying. All the key retail outlets have online presence in current times. One
of the key complexities, however, is that the market is getting enormously inundated and hence,
effective steps are required to be considered to differentiate themselves from that of the rivals.
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Supplying is one of the most largely accepted plans of actions that have been included
through several grocery stores, considering the ones that are globally operational. It s completed
with the fear of having the shelves empty of fresh stocks. Along with this, contesting the current
chaos is yet other crucial aspect.
Along with this, making facilities more consumer-focused to develop overall consumer
knowledge is other key trend that is getting important reputation. One of the main phases which
are being considered is that prioritising the insights of target audiences is observed essential for
consumers. Therefore, understanding what they are looking for is one of the most effective
stages that is required to be given essentialness through majority of the retailers (Ruzaman,
2020). With the assistance of developing and improving consumer experience and knowledge,
the retail sector venture is appropriately homing in their target marketplace.
Appropriately emerging technology is one of the key trends that the entire retail sector is
determined effectively. In reference to customise user experience and involve in free running
business to customer communications, it may be declared that the use of artificial intelligence
and technical advancement has become an ordinary aspect. Experimental retail is on the rise with
e-commerce dislocating the brick and mortal tools. Therefore, with the assistance of AI and other
innovative technology including atmosphere is tried to be create through the retailer and dealers
in existing time period. Moreover, corporate social accountability can incontestably be identified
like one of the main aspects that are required to be considered into account. It is crucial for any
venture to hold on to a brand position. Thus, incorporating environmental, social and economic
concerns is one famous trend through ascertaining proper activities that would not only be
effective for community, but also for the company in the long term. It is completed since it offers
business venture accurate time growth options to understand the target audience behaviour
through determining their perception and reliability regarding the effectiveness and essentialness
of business enterprise.
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(Top retail trends to expect in the roaring 2020s, 2020)
2019, might not have been as bad as many predicated. This year the economic outlook for
the UK is uncertain provide Brexit, with most economists forecasting little or no development.
When target audiences spending is less and low, retailers require to offer customers a reason to
spend with them, by offering better value, providing something new and high availability. To
diversify themselves in a tough, flat market, retailers demand to focus on some very particular
aspects. Due to Brexit, the inflation is arisen in the market and the suppliers maximise the cost of
material cause of which retailer increase prices of their products which affect buying behaviour
of customers.
Research question
What are problem goes through Marks & Spencer because of continuous changes within
retail atmosphere into United Kingdom?
TASK 2-Marks & Spencer Analysis
M&S SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
 It is one of the renowned brand name.  Its online portal is not much effective.
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 Also, the branches into key areas within
United Kingdom.  Also, its target only matures
consumers.
Opportunities Threats
 This may develops own channel of
delivery.
 This may concentrates upon exploring
their business of food retailing.
 The various competition within United
Kingdom.
Porter’s five forces model
Threats of new entrants High
Bargaining power of buying High
Bargaining power of suppliers Moderate
Competitive rivary High
Threats of substitutes High
Primary data analysis
For having the clear idea about how Marks & Spencer perform their business in effective
and efficient way within respective market places. So, a primary investigation is performed in
kind of survey. This evaluates either updated market trends of retail have been effectively
executed through entity or not (Tawfik, Hung and Giabbanelli, 2020). For this particular survey
in about 30 consumers taken and also in this random sampling method is being used. Based upon
the observation, the gaps which occur within respective company functions can be determined.
Appropriate corporate social responsibility is being performed through Marks & Spencer.
 Agree 19
 Disagree 11
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Discussion: Most of the individuals are not much aware appropriate activities of
corporate social responsibility that are considered through entity. So, achieved customers are
much responding towards disagree. Moreover, it is vital that proper steps are being considered
through firm to enhance their popularity through showing CSR which this consider.
M&S is appropriately stockpiling its stores
 Agree 25
 Disagree 5
Discussion: This has been observed that appropriate tactics has been obeyed within
Brexit. Substantially various respondents are in favour that effective amount of products are
stocked into M&S stores shelves. Moreover, it shows that the trends are being obeyed through
entity. However, there are some customers who responded towards disagree. It can be because of
the method is relatively unique as well as have not obtained prominence.
Gap
As per the above discussion, this can be observed that though Marks & Spencer has been
trying to adopt with updated trends in appropriate as well as proper way, there are considerable
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areas where they can have to concentrates upon dealing with rivals. So, some recommendation
related to this are mentioned below that entity can follow.
TASK 3
RECOMMENDATION
As per the above analysis, this has been determined that there are specific area that needs to
be developed with firm. Moreover, it is also essential that appropriate tactics are being obeyed
through entity for combating the potential Brexit affects. Along with this, even though this can
anticipated that stockpiling as well as restocking is performed through other key retail stores,
M&S is be substantial lacking behind. Also, for being competitive with United Kingdom market,
this is crucial that firm should undertakes some considerable and essential points. It would also
permit consumers to have effective scope to stock its kitchens and homes in respect with its
effectively (Uribe and et. al., 2020). Hence, this is vital for retail firm to assure that suppliers as
well as dealers are interacted appropriately.
In addition to this, it is vital that much consumer centric services are formed that would
facilitates a effective opportunity for entity for assuring that clients loyalty base is strengthened.
Moreover, for ensuring that entity can bale to have effective bonding with audiences, this is
crucial that firm involve into methods that would address the particulars requirements of clients.
So, beside goods that are being provided aspects such consumer services as well as another
particular needs may be maximised that would be assure effective consumer experiences. This
could be determined that there are several problems that are considered when this comes to plan
appropriate CSR (West and et. al., 2020). For enhancing their brand value showing procedures
that are consider is vital also. Appropriate process of promotion have to be undertaken for
assuring that it can able to maintain optimistic image that would enable firm to has effective
position within marketplace.
CONCLUSION
Based upon the above report, it has been concluded that, the retail market trends are
modifying drastically. For being functional into change atmosphere, this is vital for entity to
know pertaining problems and trends as well as assure that tactics are accordingly. Moreover,
these are improvement scope in context to online shopping, CSR and technology incorporation.
Along with effectual planning, these problems may be resolved effectively. Apart from this, it
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can be determined that whole effectiveness of its operations may be maximised as well as longer
term position may be accomplished through entity.
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REFERENCES
Feldt, J. E. and Petersen, E. B., 2020. Inquiry-based learning in the Humanities: Moving from
topics to problems using the “Humanities imagination”. Arts and Humanities in Higher
Education, p.1474022220910368.
Pedaste, M., Mitt, G. and Jürivete, T., 2020. What Is the Effect of Using Mobile Augmented
Reality in K12 Inquiry-Based Learning?. Education Sciences, 10(4), p.94.
Ruzaman, N., 2020. Inquiry-Based Education: Innovation in Participatory Inquiry
Paradigm. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(10),
pp.4-15.
Tawfik, A.A., Hung, W. and Giabbanelli, P.J., 2020. Comparing how different inquiry-based
approaches impact learning outcomes. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based
Learning, 14(1).
Uribe, P. and et. al., 2020, June. Automatic Content Analysis of Computer-Supported
Collaborative Inquiry-Based Learning Using Deep Networks and Attention Mechanisms.
In International Conference in Methodologies and intelligent Systems for Techhnology
Enhanced Learning (pp. 95-105). Springer, Cham.
West, R. E. and et. al., 2020. Guardrails to Constructing Learning: the Potential of Open
Microcredentials to Support Inquiry-Based Learning. TechTrends, pp.1-11.
Online
Retail Outlook 2020: Thriving in a changing retail & consumer landscape. 2020. [Online].
Available Through: <https://www.pwc.co.uk/industries/retail-consumer/insights/retail-
outlook.html>.
Top retail trends to expect in the roaring 2020s. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/01/top-retail-trends-to-expect-in-the-roaring-
2020s/>.
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