research subject: Aritzia inc. APA formatting
Guide for the Strategic Retail Report: Status Report
Report Scope
This report looks at the 4Cs and TREES that comprise the retailer’s macro and micro-environments. Through this analysis, you will be able to ascertain the retailer’s particular strengths and weaknesses and highlight some opportunities and threats. A thorough analysis should reveal possible strategic directions to explore in the next part of the SRR Project.
Retail Market
Guide for the Strategic Retail Report: Status Report
Report Scope
This report looks at the 4Cs and TREES that comprise the retailer’s macro and micro-environments.
Through this analysis, you will be able to ascertain the retailer’s particular strengths and
weaknesses and highlight some opportunities and threats. A thorough analysis should reveal
possible strategic directions to explore in the next part of the SRR Project.
Previous reports (the good ones) tend to range from 5,000 to 6,500 words. Shorter reports should be
checked for missing pieces or cursory treatment of the topic in some sections.
Report Contents and Organization
1.
Retailer Description andBackground
Competition
a.Who are the retailers’ competitors (both direct and indirect)? How does your
retailer compare to these competitors in terms of its size, market dominance/share, sales,
profitability, etc.?
b.What retailers have they identified as additional competitive threats? Why?
c.What is your retailer’s competitive advantage?
Strategy – Target Market, Positioning, and 7 Ps
4.2
The Retail Mix Elements – The 7 Ps
4.2.1
Product & Service
– Describe the retailer’s
product strategy
- Does this retailer carry convenience goods, shopping goods or specialty goods? breadth vs. depth?
What are the major brands they carry? Do they have private brands? What are the services/experiences that the retailer offers to differentiate the brand?What is this retailer’s customer service policy? What type of services does this store offer? (E.g. alterations, gift wrapping etc.) How does this store handle customer complaints? Is the salesperson ―empowered to make decisions or is it up to management?
4.2.2
Price
– What is the retailer’s pricing strategy
and how does this impact their profitability? What is this retailer’s pricing policy? (E.g. Everyday Low Pricing, High/Low Pricing etc.) What other practices do they use to compete with price? (Coupons, Rebates, Price Bundling) Does this retailer use the cost-oriented method of pricing or demand-oriented pricing. Is there a frequent shopper program?
4.2.3
Process
– How does the retailer operate? Describe the culture and policies How does the retailer make use of technology (web and e-commerce, supply chain management, information systems, etc.)? How has technology affected the way they conduct business?