M&S Business in Practice: SWOT, PESTEL Analysis of Global Market

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Marks and Spencer's (M&S) business practices through SWOT and PESTEL frameworks. The SWOT analysis identifies the company's strengths, such as its effective corporate social responsibility, and weaknesses, including a lack of investment in key areas. Opportunities include digital transformation and e-commerce expansion, while threats involve competition from major players like ZARA and H&M. The PESTEL analysis examines the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors impacting M&S, such as free trade policies, economic recession due to COVID-19, changing fashion trends, e-commerce growth, evolving legal landscapes, and environmental concerns. The analysis concludes that regular environmental scanning is crucial for organizations to mitigate negative impacts and leverage positive opportunities.

Business in Practice
Introduction
Global Business environment is highly competitive
and it is impacted by both internal and external
aspects. The internal and external environment of the
business creates a significant impact on organisations
strategies, business functions, employees etc.
SWOT Analysis
• Strengths: Highly effective and efficient
corporate social responsibility in its aims
and objectives is major strength of M&S.
• Weaknesses: Lack of investment into
emerging technology reduces the chances
of expansion for M&S.
• Opportunities: Digital transformation and
E- commerce is opportunity for M&S to
increase its sales.
• Threats: The Big competitors like ZARA,
H&M, Tesco are the threat to company.
PESTEL analysis
Political: The free trade policy of the government
in many countries has created positive impact on
company by providing opportunity to expand in
international market.
Economic: Due to Covid-19 there is huge
economic recession that has negatively impacted
the retail business of M&S because consumers
have low disposal income.
Social: The changing fashion trends as per the
different culture, festival etc. Has impacted the
supply chain of company in positive manner also
due to this company's product portfolio is
increased.
Technological: Emergence of E-commerce with
growing technology has positively impacted the
business of M&S as customer base is increased
and also delivery is fast.
Legal: Changing laws of different countries is
major challenge for the M&S in adhering to each
employment laws of each country due to which
company may face lawsuit.
Environmental: The concern for environment
safety and security among customers .
Conclusion
It is concluded from the above internal
and external analysis that for every
organisation it is very important and
crucial to regularly analyse their
surroundings in order to reduce negative
impact and foster the positive impacts as
opportunity
References
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pp.60-75.
Phan, S., 2021. The effect of PESTLE factors on
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Data and Network Science. 5(1). pp.37-42.
Impact of business on external
environment
Competitors: changing prices by Marks and Spencer
directly impact the pricing strategy of competitors as
this may bring competitive advantage to one
organisation.