English Academic Skills: Report on SWOT Analysis of Marks & Spencer

This report provides a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of Marks & Spencer (M&S), focusing on its current operating market in the UK. The introduction explains the purpose of SWOT analysis as a tool to evaluate a company's internal and external environments. The report then details M&S's strengths, such as its recognized brand and clothing lines, and weaknesses, including perceptions of being outdated and the presence of counterfeit products. Opportunities like online shopping and home delivery are identified, along with threats from competitors like Tesco and Sainsbury's. The conclusion emphasizes how SWOT analysis aids in strategic decision-making, improving efficiency, and capitalizing on opportunities while mitigating threats. References to academic sources and online resources are included to support the analysis.

English Academic
skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
SWOT analysis of Mark & Spencer.......................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
SWOT is an analytical tool which is being undertaken by organisation so to analyse
strengths and weaknesses of the organisation along with consideration of opportunities and
threats which exists in the operating market (Yuan, 2013). This assignment attempts to conduct a
brief SWOT analysis for Marks and Spencer focusing on their present operating market of UK.
SWOT analysis of Mark & Spencer
This analytical tool can be undertaken by the organisation to strategically establish
position itself in the market and achieve growth in terms of sales revenue. Business Environment
can be evaluated using an analytical tool SWOT, which help in accessing the internal
environment to determine the strength and weaknesses of company. It also assists in analysing
the external environment to identify various threats and opportunities present in market.
Strength refers to the factors which help company in grabbing higher market share and
achieving competitive advantage within the market place. This business organisation is widely
recognised for its variety of products which are appreciated by the customers (SWOT analysis of
Marks & Spencer, 2018). The clothing brands which are offered by the company have helped
credibility of this organisation which impacts its sales volume and profitability.
Weakness are those area which restrict the company in performing their operations
effectively. The company have often perceived as non trendy and outdated which tends to
influence sales volume of the company. There is a presence of fake imitated products in the
market which have emerged to be a major weakness. So, M&S must put more emphases over its
promotional activities to make customers aware about them and should also offer product
according to different age group in order to remove their weaknesses.
Opportunities, refers to the favourable external factors that must be exploited by
company which help in achieving edge over competitors (Görener, Toker and Ulucay, 2012).
With the increasing demand of online shopping and home delivery, it is an opportunity for Mark
& Spencer to provide its products over the internet platforms. It help them in expanding their
business and also increases the sales and profitability of company and that too with lesser
investment.
Threat are some forces that have potential to harm the business operations at some point
of time. Increasing number of competitors such as Tesco and Sainsbury's are the major threat for

this business as they which are encompassing major share of market with their competitively
priced products. To counter this threat, it is essential for this business to diversify their products
and services with right implementation of digital tools. The use of economies of scale will be
helpful in delivering quality oriented products at effective prices and simultaneously availing
improved market share for the business (Salar and Salar, 2014).
By using this tools Mark & Spencer can identify various factors that are present in the
environment that may work either in favour or those work against them in accomplishing their
desired goals and objectives.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above report that SWOT analysis determines various
options and their feasibility which may be used to improve the efficiency and operations of the
company. It also assists in identifying various opportunities and how they can be used against
various treats which are affecting the business operations.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Görener, A., Toker, K. and Ulucay, K., 2012. Application of combined SWOT and AHP: a case
study for a manufacturing firm. Procedia-social and behavioral sciences. 58. pp.1525-
1534.
Salar, M. and Salar, O., 2014. Determining pros and cons of franchising by using swot analysis.
Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 122. pp.515-519.
Yuan, H., 2013. A SWOT analysis of successful construction waste management. Journal of
Cleaner Production. 39. pp.1-8.
Online
SWOT analysis of Marks & Spencer, 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.marketing91.com/swot-analysis-of-marks-spencer/>.