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Essay On Swot Analysis Role In Strategic Management
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Founded by James Cash Penney in 1902, J.C. Penney is one of the largest apparel, domestic retailers with approximately one hundred thousand employees in over one thousand retail locations in the United States (JCPenney, n.d.b). The company was established on the Golden Rule (also the name of its first store) to treat others as one would like to be treated (JCPenney, n.d.b). Although the organization was founded as a small business in Kemmerer, Wyoming, J.C. Penney is currently a thirteen billion dollars publicly-traded corporation that is headquartered in Plano, Texas (JCPenney, n.d.b). Therefore, to better understand its growth, J.C. Penney’s strategy, marketing, finance, human resources, and operations have to be evaluated. As one of the …show more content…
Penney's approach to strategy is best measured using a SWOT analysis, which maps out the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. For instance, J.C. Penney's strengths include a strong liquidity position, an efficient supply chain, and a broad product and service offering. J.C. Penney's liquidity position grew to lend the industry from 2014 to 2015 (J.C. Penney Company, Inc., 2015). Strong liquidity against its competitors provides J.C. Penney with an advantage while funding any potential opportunity that arises in the market. Its supply chain facilitates the flow of goods between two thousand four hundred domestic and foreign suppliers, distributors, and stores (J.C. Penney Company, Inc., 2015). Its efficiency enables J.C. Penney to generate higher margins, which allows for lower prices for customers. Moreover, it allows the business to operate in a cost effective manner. The broad product and service offerings help the company serve the diverse needs and preferences of its customers. J.C. Penney also has the largest apparel, home furnishing, and general merchandise catalog in the United States (J.C. Penney Company, Inc., …show more content…
Penney must take into account all these factors while trying to rediscover its core values with a new strategy. This new "come back" strategy is to reverse J.C. Penney’s recent decline; thus, prompting the retailer to first focus on shareholder value and shareholder return, which is vital in regaining the trust in the company (Garcia, 2016). In addition, J.C. Penney will be partnering and housing more brands (e.g., Sephora) (Garcia, 2016). There are also redesign plans for sunglasses, jewelry, and accessories sections (Garcia, 2016). Moreover, the most important reform for CEO Marvin Ellison is hiring the right candidate, such as ecommerce executives, supply chain executives, and marketing leaders (Garcia,
Marzilli, T. (2013, April 24). Long-Term Look At Brand Perception Shows J.C. Penney Losing Ground Vs. Kohl's. Retrieved April 07, 2014, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/brandindex/2013/04/24/long-term-look-at-brand-perception-shows-j-c-penney-losing-ground-vs-kohls/
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) differentiates from its competitors because it’s a leading global specialty retailer offering latest trends that are high-quality and affordable. The source of competitive advantage is the quality of their clothes and their environmentally friendly fabrics. American Eagle Outfitters is a high-quality and inexpensive brand of their two competitors Aéropostal and Abercrombie and Fitch. AEO centers in every category of purchaser such as kids, tweens, teens, and adults. American Eagle Outfitters has further stores open globally and their product line is more assorted than its competitors and its name brand and logo is known world-wide.
JCPenney is a chain of American mid-range department stores that is based out of Texas that started over 100 years ago. JCPenny has been successful for most of its time up until the last three to four years. The company is trying relentlessly to overcome the lingering effects of the makeover that former CEO, Ron Johnson, had implemented in order for the company to take a new direction in hopes of increasing sales. The new CEO, Myron Ullman, has taken a close look into the markets demographic segmentation along with the income segmentation in order to attempt to return the retailer back to its old self, which is to appeal to middle-market customers. A couple issues of major concern for the company are the dissolving of Johnson’s Boutiques, the price of their products, and overall revenue.
After co-branding the Macy’s name with local Federated stores in 2003, the Macy’s division became the central focus for revamping. Federated descri...
Montgomery Ward is the name of two generally unique American retail ventures. It can allude either to the outdated mail request and retail chain retailer which worked between 1872 and 2000 or to the first name of the online retailer presently known as Wards. Industry specialists said Montgomery Ward, the 128-year-old retailer that as of late published its end, was the cause all its own problems and was unable to rival other immediate advertising monsters. After the organization affirmed the end of 250 stores and 10 conveyance focuses on Dec. 28, immediate advertising specialists and experts said they were not astounded when the end came. Montgomery Ward, which started list shopping, was described as having neglected to stay aware of the evolving times. It couldn't create a procedure to contend with new confronted organizations, for example, Target Corp, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. what's more other mid-range claim to fame stores that cut into its business.
In 2002, CEO of Levi Strauss, Phil Marineau was faced with a tough decision: whether he should sell product at Wal-Mart. In the last five years, Levi-Strauss had lost sales and had to close US plants to move production to cheaper offshore areas. Levi's really needed to revive the brand image to gain back some lost sales and was using marketing to create new advertisements and product placement to broaden their target market. Levi's had tough competition on every level of the price-point spectrum, whether it be high end retailers like Diesel or Calvin Klein, middle vertically integrated retailers like Gap or American Eagles, and on the bottom, private-label brands like Wal-Mart and Target.
The company had to be the second largest retailer shop in the US; it has many advantages that come along. The customers well acknowledge the company and its brand have been well established.
Control systems – Costco has an Enterprise Facility Information management system, each Costco is connected to corporate, the EFIM provides real-time information, management of control systems (like energy), and an inventory management system that allows suppliers to monitor their own stock levels at any Costco. The EFIM reduces costs related to energy consumption, maintenance, and contracted services
Sears Holdings is a company built upon the heritage of Kmart and Sears stores, owner of many well-known brands, and is the provider of auto care and home remodeling. The company’s key operations are the stores in which it operates under the Kmart and Sears brands. Almost every state in the country has at least one Sears or Kmart store, and some U.S. territories also have locations. The company operates in the retail market, which is a highly lucrative industry, but has lost its ability to produce profits and to take charge as a leader in American
My company of choice for this report is Macy 's. 'The Magic of Macy 's ', as the company advertises it, has inspired me to shop there, take advantage of their incomparable discounts and great online shopping experience. Macy 's, Inc. is one of the largest department store chains in the United States of America. Macy 's manages stores under the Macy 's and Bloomingdale 's brands. I enjoy shopping at both of the company 's store brands, Macy 's and Bloomingdales. Bloomingdales provides a more personalized experience
Some core competencies that must be exploited are: Brand Kmart is an existing well-known and trusted national brand in USA Kmart has private label and designer clothing that is well endorsed Infrastructure Kmart has a large number of well-located, low-cost, leased stores in urban far away from competitors through out the country ( Appendix B ). Staffing Confidence by the market in Kmart is created by the achievements of its staff and management. With the turn-around strategy in place, new blood has been put into the top management structures. In any renewal there will be retrenchment as unprofitable stores are closed. This can be used as an opportunity to retain and move high performing staff to where they are needed and to get rid of non-performing staff. Anderson the chairperson of Kmart is well supported by Wall Street and the board of Directors. These new staff members enter the company with needed skills to address problems in certain areas that previously were poorly managed such as inventory control and merchandising. Store locations, layout and Performance Stores conveniently located away from competitors like Wal-mart and Target therefore less to compete for customers face-to-face. There are 250 non-performing stores who have already been identified as being more cost effective to close than continue with running costs. Expertise exists in-house for the planning of store layout and appearance to meet different customer segments. This concentration of effort will enable focus on key areas Technology Kmart has already invested in good retailing systems. The system can be use to control inventory, supplier payments, track customer buying and monitor income versus profit margins across all stores. Research and Development The planning department is well established and in cross-functional to provide various perspective. The planning department to ensure that strategies at all levels are executed can further use the access to past data and knowledge of changes in buying patterns. Financial Backing JP Morgan Chase has agreed to support Kmart to avert the current threat of closure due to bankruptcy.
Upon his hiring, CEO Ron Johnson was quick to implement his new strategy at JC Penney (Ritson, 2013). The executive felt the department store was outdated and developed ideas to combat the store’s declining sales. The new CEO planned to create a unique shopping experience while keeping costs low enough to entice customers all year long (Kinicki & William, 2013). Johnson ideas mirrored Porter’s forces by trying to limit new entrants threats while increasing the bargain power of buyers and combatting rivalry with his competitors.
In order to analyze J. Crew and their strategic plan we need to look at their operations from different perspectives. We will first look at the history of the company, including what they have done well and where they could have improved. We will then look at their current operations through a SWOT analysis, and how well there are meeting their objectives. We will look at their current issues including environmental factors, organizational factors, and market factors. I will then offer alternatives and solutions to my findings.
Louis Vuitton, a French designer and entrepreneur quickly made a name for himself in the fashion industry by becoming Napoleon’s wife “personal box-maker and packer.” At the age of sixteen, Vuitton and his family started the legendary workshop by creating travel trunks and the famous unpickable locks in 1859 (Louis Vuitton, 2015). As the legendary brand continues to remarkably exceed both sales and expectations, Louis Vuitton as a brand strives for pure distinction and exclusivity.
Analysis: With one of their main issues being sustained profitability, Wal*Mart is at a critical time in their life. They are no longer the hero, a place commonly reserved for competitors striving to be number one, because Wal*Mart is number one. No one can debate how effective they have been in getting here. Through their focus on superior technology and low cost leadership, Wal*Mart reigned supreme. They are redefining Porter’s five forces model in the discount retailing industry, and are in the enviable position of having first mover’s advantage. Yet this blessing is also a curse. By virtue of their efficient, effective system and its proven success, companies like Kmart and Target are watching closely and both emulating and improving upon this system. An analysis of the five forces model will show Wal*Mart’s main competitive advantages in supplier power and barriers to entry. A look into their distribution centers and how they have been instrumental in reducing supplier power will be followed by an analysis of how effective first mover advantage has been and where they must take it next.