Detailed SWOT Analysis Report for Marks and Spencer Retail Company

This report presents a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of Marks & Spencer, a prominent global retail company. The report begins with an introduction to Marks & Spencer and its market presence. The SWOT analysis then delves into the company's strengths, s...Read More

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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
SWOT ANALYSIS...........................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Marks and Spencer is one of the popular retail clothing and accessories brands that has its
chains all over the world. This report will include SWOT analysis will be very helpful in
determining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organization.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
The biggest strength of Marks & Spencer is that it has large chain of products and exist
with high brand value in market such as selling clothes, home décor products and luxury food
products. It spends lot of amount on research and development so that they build products
according to consumer needs and values such as Grey created a campaign “rethink” for
specifically designed for market, by keeping in mind about the taste and preference of consumers
of India. Due to increasing fashion oriented audience in India that tend to new styles and trends.
On a regular basis company is making changes and deals with other countries to increase their
market share such as Myntra. Com signing deal with Marks & Spencer to sell thier products of
Britain's leading retailer on the largest market of India. Its increased customer’s base is one of its
biggest strengths as it is satisfied hidden needs and wants of consumers and enlarge market base
in comparison to its competitors (Strengths of Marks and Spencer, 2017). Earlier, in most of the
stores women wear were less in number but Marks and Spencer expanded in this segment and
now in every outlet women edition clothes are available which helps in expanding their market
share and consumers become loyal towards their products. Other than company’s offline services
and facilities M&S is using multi-channels in order to reach to its customers such as online
source, social media sites, mobile application, websites etc., Apart from this, they are actively
participating in CSR activities of ethical business practices so that societies can be benefited.
Recent ally it donates returned clothes and surplus amount of business to the charity new life .
New life is an medical research, nurse support and help to disabled children's. Also Marks &
spencer have some famous brand name in which vero moda, indigo that enhance the brand
loyalty of M&S towards their products and services and give acknowledgement to their products.
To save the environment it launching an sustainability project plan A for carbon neutral that
enhance their brand value in market.

Weaknesses:
This is determined in order to identify the areas where there is a requirement of
improvement. The biggest weakness of the company is that in most of the regions M&S have
unable to penetrate expand successfully which means Marks and Spencer has failed in
influencing other customers outside United Kingdom that hinders their self interest (SWOT
analysis of Marks and Spencer, 2018). . Along with this, strong competition in the same field is
limiting the market share for Marks and Spencer which is acting as a weakness for the company.
Recently they struggling the high street giant and closing one to three main stores that sell
clothes and home wares and food under one roof because they are struggling with few customers
and shifting towards online shopping. Lack of investment in small, local outlets that leave stores
shabby and outdated and stores are too big and difficult to manage. Another weaknesses is the it
manufactures clothes that based on every women appeal amid fierce competition that is not
possible in trendy world.
Opportunities:
This is related to the areas by looking at which company can grab the opportunity of
increasing its sales and profitability in a speculated time frame. Marks and Spencer aimed to
establishing its business into new segments like company can expand in the field of ethnic and
traditional wear sector and by 2020 they can open many new stores across United Kingdom
(SWOT analysis of Marks & Spencer 2019).. the new technology and advancement helps M&S
to adopt or practice the differentiated pricing strategy in new market space. It adopts the
extensive technological capabilities that helps in adopt industry agile methods that effective from
1st march 2018. it adopts supplier service that helps in direct transfer to TCS. This assist to firm
to build loyal consumer base by providing great services and attract large no. of consumer base
(Lei, Dawar and Gürhan-Canli, 2012.) Main reason of expanding business in this area is
because of positive growth of online market (Opportunity of Marks and Spencer, 2017). As a
result, this will provide benefit of increase sales and easily beat their competitors. Therefore all
these factors should be proved fruitful in organisational growth and give satisfaction to the
consumer by accessing their hidden needs and wants by availing above mentioned opportunities.
Opening of new market due to the government agreements and adaptation of new and advance

techniques and tools and free trade agreements all factors provides an opportunity to enter into
new market (Bryden and et.al ., 2013.).
Threats:
These are the factors that can put a negative impact on the business operations or
detrimental business growth. For most of the companies competition and their fierce competitor
is Tesco, next, ASDA etc.. is the biggest threat because other firms dealing in the same sector
can snatch the market share as a result company organisation can reduce its sales and
profitability. Liability laws while dealing in different countries that enhance various liability
claims given in change in policies in respective market (Pettker and et.al ., 2014.). Rising trend
towards the isolationism in foreign economy lead towards the similar reaction from the
government that negatively impacts on sales of M&S. Other than this, general threat for the
company can be changes in government policies such as improved taxation policies this can
either increase the rates of the products which can directly target customer’s purchasing power.
While deal in different countries adopt new laws and regulations in year 2009 they made and
agreement with M&S for new pay deal that deals in national wage agreements, problem that face
by their employees. Normally in M&S staff receive 5.73 per hour but it rely on their age if they
are less than 22 they receive less amount so these are the threats while deal in different countries.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that before implementing and taking any
step in market organisation have to take important research by taking help of different tools and
techniques. SWOT is an important tool to evaluate the internal capabilities of organisation and
according to that firm can take important steps.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Lei, J., Dawar, N. and Gürhan-Canli, Z., 2012. Base-rate information in consumer attributions of
product-harm crises. Journal of Marketing Research. 49(3). pp.336-348.
Bryden, A.,and et.al ., 2013. Voluntary agreements between government and business—a
scoping review of the literature with specific reference to the Public Health
Responsibility Deal. Health Policy. 110(2-3). pp.186-197.
Pettker, C.M., and et.al ., 2014. A comprehensive obstetric patient safety program reduces
liability claims and payments. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 211(4).
pp.319-325.
Online
Strengths of Marks and Spencer. 2017. [Online], Available Through:
https://businessteacher.org.uk/swot/marks-and-spencer.php.
SWOT analysis of Marks and Spencer. 2018, [Online], Available Through:
<https://www.swotandpestle.com/marks-and-spencer/>.
Opportunity of Marks and Spencer. 2017. [Online], Available Through:
<https://www.howandwhat.net/swot-analysis-marks-spencer-marks-spencer-swot-
analysis/>.