Business Report: Comprehensive SWOT Analysis of John Lewis (2024)

This report presents a SWOT analysis of John Lewis, a well-known UK and European departmental store with approximately 50 stores. The analysis examines the company's strengths, such as its strong brand image, online presence, and employee relations, and weaknesses like lack of international business experience and recent profit decline. It also identifies opportunities, including international market expansion and new product development, as well as threats such as cash flow problems and the impact of new legislations. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the importance of maintaining customer trust and adapting to market changes. The analysis is supported by cited references from academic journals and books, providing a comprehensive overview of John Lewis's competitive position and strategic considerations.

English Academic Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Illustration 1: SWOT analysis
[Source: SWOT ANALYSIS, 2017]
JOHN LEWIS SWOT ANALYSIS
John Lewis is the very well known chain of departmental store which is
operating in United Kingdom and Europe and is having almost 50 stores. It is
having the departmental stores, John Lewis at home and airport stores as well
all over the country. As a departmental store it is selling foodstuffs, cold drinks
and cloths and household goods as well (O'Connor, 2017) All the product which
are supplied by John Lewis is of the best quality, good price and of the latest
design. And for the further growth and increasing demand of its products the
management need to do SWOT analysis of the company. The SWOT analysis
will help the company to know its strengths, decrease the weaknesses, grab the
market opportunities and cope up with the threats prevailing in economy or
market. SWOT analysis is the best tool to effectively form the decision of the
company and help in understanding the business and market conditions. This is
also implied framework in the business in analysing the factors which are
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influencing the competitive position of John Lewis in the market place. SWOT
analysis includes strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
STRENGTHS
They include
 Strong brand image: it is having a very strong brand image in UK and
because of this it is having very good relationship with its customers.
 Strong online presence: the online market of John Lewis is also very good
as it is selling very wide range of products.
 Effective level of employee relation: the employee and employer
relationship of John Lewis is very good and they are building this
relationship (Ferris and et.nl., 2017). The good relationship is a sign of more
and more profit of the firm.
 Extensive product range: the product which it is offering to the customers
are of very wide range. As it is selling almost all the consumer durable
and non durable products.
WEAKNESSES
 Lack of international business experience: as it is planning to expand its
business on a larger platform but this need a very strong base of the
product and services. So John Lewis is having very little or no experience
of the international business.
 Recent sink in profit: the profits from last 2-3 years are sinking or
decreasing at John Lewis (Brudermann and Sangkakool, 2017). This is a
bigger concern of the company and it need to implement much better
policy.
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 Lack of effective marketing strategy: the marketing strategy of John
Lewis is also very weak which it need to improve if it need to go on the
international market for selling the products.
OPPORTUNITIES
 International market expansion: this is a greater opportunities which it is
having and it certainly needs to formulate a good and sound market
strategy (Sadachar and et.nl., 2017). With the increase in the opportunities
in world market the profits of the firm will increase.
 New product development: as it is giving a wide range of products in the
market and also developing a new range of products which it will provide
to its customers.
THREATS
 Cash flow problems: this is a most prevailing problem in the recent times
within the organisation. The cash is not managed in the company which
should be done by the management at their end.
 Negative effect of new legislations: there are number of new legislation
which are laid down in the recent times by the government on retail
companies which are more harmful on the John Lewis (Wright and
Greenwood, 2017). This is a major threat of John Lewis as this cause a
major loss to John Lewis and customers are also hampered by this.
CONCLUSIONS
In the above report there are major advantages and disadvantages for
John Lewis. There are a good deal of strength of the company and at the same
time there are weaknesses as well. It is possible to identify after SWOT analysis
the main points which can help to improve or avoid some issues in the market.
John Lewis has given an adequate quality on goods, attractive benefits on
marketing, their own brands and fashion which is an impact to maintain their
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priority and influence on the top. It seems important to keep leading on the
market because costumers are always looking for the best agreement and a
company that installs fulfilment and trust.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals:
Brudermann, T. and Sangkakool, T., 2017. Green roofs in temperate climate
cities in Europe–An analysis of key decision factors. Urban Forestry &
Urban Greening, 21, pp.224-234.
Ferris, F.D., Moore, S.Y., Callaway, M.V. and Foley, K.M., 2017.
Leadership Development Initiative: Growing Global Leaders…
Advancing Palliative Care. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
O'Connor, J., 2017. The Authority Guide to Creating Brand Stories that
Sell: Smart and simple strategies to make your business irresistible
(Vol. 16). SRA Books.
Sadachar, A., Jablon, S., Niehm, L. and Hurst, J., 2017. Assessing Students’
Perceived Success in Attainment of Course Objectives in a Retail
Merchandising Class. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal,
45(3), pp.285-299.
Wright, S. and Greenwood, D.J., 2017. Universities run for, by, and with the
faculty, students and staff: Alternatives to the neoliberal destruction of
higher education. Learning and Teaching, 10(1), pp.42-65.
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