Executive summary
This business development study takes a close look at Tesco, a company situated in the United Kingdom, paying close attention to its margin for expansion and its ability to generate new revenue streams. Through an investigation of Tesco's sector, external environment, and SWOT, the researcher identified growth opportunities and ways to improve the company's competitive standing. According to the results of our research, Tesco needs to expand its product offerings, expand the types of services it provides, and explore new geographic regions. In addition, we proposed a marketing strategy that would centre on increasing Tesco's online presence, reinforcing customer connection, and employing social media to expand the retailer's customer base and popularity.
The below analysis also includes a financial strategy, which takes into account potential funding sources and investment opportunities for Tesco. The researcher recommended that Tesco explore the possibility of joint ventures and cooperation with other firms as a means to boost operational effectiveness and reduce expenses. In sum, this research provides practical suggestions for how Tesco might expand its business and advance toward sustainability. The recommendations will help Tesco maintain its competitive edge and its status as a leading player in the UK retail industry.
Table of Contents
6. Proposed Area of Business Development 9
10. Key Recommendations and Practical Implications. 13
Introduction
This business plan examines Tesco, a British retailer, and some of the ways it might expand and bring in more money in the future. Tesco, one of the largest retailers in the country, has a considerable share of the UK grocery market. Competition is intensifying from both brick-and-mortar stores and internet alternatives. This study aims to shed light on Tesco's opportunities to fortify its competitive standing and realize sustainable growth in the face of a rapidly evolving retail environment. After analyzing the market and competitive landscape, we came up with a long list of opportunities for Tesco to expand its operations and increase its income. The purpose of this study is to analyse Tesco's current state in detail, from every angle possible (SWOT analysis). To help Tesco achieve long-term success, the researcher also analyses the company's performance in specialized areas such as marketing, finance, and operations.
Figure 1: Tesco logo
Sources: (An, 2023)
The retail industry and external issues that could affect Tesco's operations are analyzed after a brief introduction of Tesco and its market position. Then, the researcher outlines Tesco's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats through a SWOT analysis, and recommends a concrete next step for the company's business growth strategy. The goal of this paper is to provide Tesco with actionable recommendations that would help the company achieve sustainable development and improve its competitiveness in the UK retail industry. The suggestions are grounded in research into Tesco's current state, the market as a whole, and external factors.
Background Industry
The retail industry in the United Kingdom is one of the largest and most competitive in the world due to the large number of companies operating in the sector. The sector has seen radical transformation in recent years due to the rise of online retailers and changing tastes among consumers. The grocery industry accounts for a sizable chunk of the United Kingdom's retail industry, and Tesco is a prominent player there. According to Statista data, by 2020, Tesco had a 27.2% share of the UK grocery market (Dannenberg et al., 2020). The company faces competition not only from online retailers like Amazon and Ocado, but also from more traditional supermarkets like Asda and Sainsbury.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the retail industry, with an increase in the popularity of online shopping and home delivery services (Dannenberg et al., 2020). Tesco has extended its online operations to meet the rising demand for supermarket delivery services. The UK retail sector should expect to feel the effects of a number of external movements in the years ahead. Some examples are the growth of the internet as a means of trade, the evolution of consumers' tastes, and the increased demand for environmentally and ethically responsible goods. In light of these shifts, Tesco will need to maintain a competitive edge by constantly testing new ideas and adjusting to customer preferences. Even while the company has already taken steps to improve its environmental credentials and online operations, there may be further avenues to explore. The goal is to assist Tesco in capitalising on these opportunities by identifying them and providing actionable guidance on how to achieve sustainable development and increase its competitive position in the UK retail market.
SWOT analysis
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that make up a company may all be found with the use of a SWOT analysis (Rizki et al., 2021). Below is Tesco's SWOT analysis.:
Strengths:
- Solid standing and standing as a brand in the UK retail sector.
- Food, clothing, technology, and monetary services are just some of the many things people can get their hands on.
Weaknesses:
- Competition from other stores, both physical and virtual, is fierce.
- Limited international reach and reliance on the British market.
Opportunities:
- Opportunities include growing in new markets both domestically and abroad.
- Changing customer demands have led to a greater emphasis on producing ethical and environmentally friendly goods.
- the development of brand-new products and services including meal delivery plans and subscription-based delivery of media (Björklund et al., 2020)
- Using cutting-edge innovations like AI and ML to enhance the customer service experience.
Threats:
- market volatility and economic instability are both potential threats.
- Adapting customer trends and desires
Tesco's dominance in the UK retail market can be attributed to its many strengths (Chkanikova and Sroufe, 2021). In order to maintain competitiveness and achieve sustained growth, it will be necessary to address a number of obstacles and weaknesses. By seizing chances and addressing threats and weaknesses, Tesco can fortify its position in the market and continue expanding its business.
Pestle Analysis
Figure 2: PESTEL analysis
Source: (Çitilci and Akbal?k, 2020)
The macroenvironmental factors that can have an impact on a business are analysed using the PESTLE framework (de Sousa and Castaeda-Ayarza, 2022). This study examines the potential effects of political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors on the functioning of a corporation.
Political factors: Trade agreements, political stability, and government rules and regulations are all examples of political factors that could have an effect on Tesco. The company's operations could be severely impacted by shifts in these factors.
Economic factors: Inflation, interest rates, currency exchange rates, and overall economic growth could all have an effect on Tesco. Tesco's profits could fall if consumers cut back on their spending amid the economic downturn.
Social factors: Changes in consumer preferences, population dynamics, and cultural norms are all examples of societal factors that could affect Tesco. Tesco must adapt to the shifting values of its target demographic if it is to continue being successful.\
Technological developments: Telecommunications, automation, and technology advancements may have an effect on Tesco. Tesco needs to spend money on state-of-the-art equipment if it wants to stay in business.
Legal factors: Employment legislation, consumer protection law, and health and safety regulations may all have an effect on Tesco (An, 2023). To protect one's a good name and legal status, adherence to these guidelines is essential.
Environmental factors: The effects of global warming, stricter environmental regulations, and the adoption of more environmentally friendly sourcing practises could reach Tesco. Tesco needs to put sustainability first if it wants to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.
Proposed Area of Business Development
Market and industry research, as well as a SWOT analysis of Tesco, have uncovered various opportunities for growth and success. One area for growth is the expansion of Tesco's online presence and home delivery services (Rosnizam et al., 2020). Tesco can capitalise on the rising popularity of online shopping and home delivery by taking advantage of this trend. By spending money on infrastructure and technology to improve the consumer experience, Tesco may become the market leader in online shopping. The company may achieve this by providing a wider range of products for online shoppers to choose from.
Another area of growth for Tesco is incorporating more environmentally and socially responsible products into their lineup (Biliska-Reformat et al., 2019). There has been a dramatic rise in the number of businesses catering to consumers' needs over the past few years. By partnering with suppliers who uphold high ecological and ethical standards and advertising these items, Tesco may promote itself as a socially responsible corporation and attract a rising market of environmentally conscientious clientele. One last thought: Tesco may look into expanding into new domestic and international markets (Krummel, 2022). Tesco may expand into new markets and increase its customer base as a result of the strength of its brand and its ability to efficiently run its business. This may involve establishing an online presence or a home delivery service in addition to building new brick-and-mortar locations. By prioritising these areas, Tesco will be better prepared for sustained growth and success in the cutthroat retail industry.
Marketing Strategy
In order to promote Tesco's growth and success, it is recommended that a marketing strategy be drafted as part of the proposed area of business development (Detter, 2020). The key components of the proposed advertising strategy are detailed below.:
Target audience: Marketplace of interest Find out who Tesco's ideal customer is so you can sell to them. Customers in developing nations and those who are interested in online shopping and home delivery may fall into this category.
Value propositions: assertion of worth construct a clear selling point that highlights what makes Tesco stand out. One strategy for doing so is to stress Tesco's commitment to selling only ethical and ecologically friendly products and to providing convenient online shopping and home delivery options.
Branding: Tesco can improve its fame and popularity if it uses the same logo and tagline throughout all of its marketing channels, including social media, television commercials, and in-store displays.
Promotions: Boost brand awareness and revenues by developing strategic advertising campaigns and promotional initiatives (Makrides et al., 2020). This can include creating campaigns, especially for developing countries, offering discounts for online purchases, and emphasising environmentally and socially responsible products.
Customer engagement: Customer engagement refers to the process of establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with customers through targeted marketing and communication (Hanson et al., 2019). Communication via social media, customer loyalty programmes, and electronic mail marketing are all possibilities.
Measurements and analysis: Sales, customer happiness, and new and returning customer rates are just a few of the metrics that may be monitored and analysed to determine the marketing strategy's success.
Financial Strategy
Tesco's growth and bottom line might benefit from a well-thought-out financial plan, which is why this is one of the recommended areas for development (Soltanifar & Smailhodi, 2021). The financial objectives are given below
- To develop the revenue growth
- To maintain cost control
The key features of the proposed budget are outlined below.
Revenue growth: Tesco needs to set revenue growth targets based on market research, sales data, and industry trends. Introduce new product categories and promotional strategies to expand into untapped markets and increase income.
Cost control: Implementing cost-control methods, such as optimising supply chain management, reducing waste, and negotiating better rates with suppliers, can help reduce costs and boost efficiency.
Investment strategy: Develop an investment strategy that considers both short-term needs and long-term growth, highlighting the top investment possibilities that will most significantly support Tesco's growth goals (Keller and Schaninger, 2019). This can be accomplished through initiatives such as funding research and development of novel technologies, expanding into untapped areas, or purchasing companies in complementary industries.
Risk management: Develop and implement plans to identify and mitigate risks, including as disruptions in the supply chain, economic downturns, and altering consumer preferences.
Financial analysis: Revenue growth, profit margins, return on investment, and cash flow are only a few of the key financial indicators that should be monitored and analysed to determine the strategy's success.
By adopting this financial approach, Tesco will be able to maximise its operations and investments while minimising its exposure to risk, ultimately resulting in long-term success.
Funding
Item |
Cost |
Facility |
£20,000 |
Delivery Vehicles (vans, bikes, scooters) |
£20,000 |
Website and App Development |
£20,000 |
Marketing and Advertising |
£10,000 |
Initial Inventory |
£10,000 |
Other Expenses (licenses, permits, insurance) |
£5,000 |
Total |
£85,000 |
As part of Tesco's future growth and expansion, an operational strategy should be formulated to aid in this process (Sindakis and Aggarwal, 2022). The following is a summary of the main points of the suggested operating strategy:
Supply chain management: Streamline Tesco's supply chain to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure on-time deliveries to customers. For example, they might need to form strategic partnerships with your suppliers and implement cutting-edge inventory tracking and logistics systems to do this.
Employee Development and team needs: Productivity, customer satisfaction, and service quality can all benefit from an investment in employee training. This can be done through various means, including but not limited to the provision of training and development opportunities, the creation of programmes for professional development and team building, and the improvement of compensation and benefits.
Customer service: Tesco should improve its service to customers by putting more emphasis on maintaining and expanding consumer loyalty. Offering reward programmes, incorporating cutting-edge technology to improve the in-store experience, and tailoring the shopping experience to each unique customer are all examples.
Product Development: The success of Tesco depends on its ability to innovate new products and services in response to customer needs and set itself apart from the competition (Azan and Karimah, 2022). Developing new product lines, expanding the range of products and services offered, and working with suppliers to produce one-of-a-kind products are all possibilities.
Operational Effectiveness: Maintain a constant state of self-analysis and process enhancement in order to maximise efficiency, decrease expenses, and increase Tesco's bottom line. It is possible that it will be essential to optimise the use of personnel resources, cut down on unnecessary activities, and use cutting-edge technological innovations in order to automate formerly manual processes.
Tesco may improve output, customer satisfaction, and product selection, as well as decrease overhead and increase earnings, by adopting this business model. This will allow Tesco to grow sustainably and remain competitive.
Key Recommendations and Practical Implications
Major suggestions and possible practical implications based on this study and the strategies proposed herein are as follows:
Emphasis on the Customer: Tesco needs to invest in customer care, loyalty programmes, and customization if it wants to keep its customers happy and coming back (Madhani, 2020). If Tesco takes steps to enhance its customer service, it will be able to retain more customers and attract new ones.
Optimize Supply Chain: Tesco needs to improve its supply chain if it wants to boost output and decrease costs. For example, you might need to form strategic partnerships with your suppliers and implement cutting-edge inventory tracking and logistics systems to do this.
Create New Goods and Services: Tesco needs to focus on developing innovative products and services to keep up with its customers' needs and differentiate itself from the competition (De Villiers et al., 2020). Developing new product lines, expanding the range of products and services offered, and working with suppliers to produce one-of-a-kind products are all possibilities.
Invest in employee development: Tesco ought to invest in employee training in order to boost productivity, consumer pleasure, and morale. This can be done through various means, including but not limited to the provision of training and development opportunities, the creation of programmes for professional development, and the improvement of compensation and benefits.
Continuously Monitor and Optimize Operations: It is crucial that Tesco's operations be constantly evaluated and enhanced so that productivity may be increased, expenses reduced, and earnings maximised (Ramanatha et al., 2022) It is possible that it will be essential to optimise the use of personnel resources, cut down on unnecessary activities, and use cutting-edge technological innovations in order to automate formerly manual processes.
If Tesco follows this recommendation, it may see more consistent expansion and perform better against its competitors. Keep in mind that the suggestions presented here are not exhaustive and will need to be adapted to fit Tesco's specific needs and goals. To ensure continued success in the future, Tesco must evaluate and adjust its methods on a regular basis.
Conclusion
This study summarises our investigation into Tesco's business practises and the recommendations for future growth. The study began with a brief introduction to the market and the sector. The company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were then analysed using a SWOT framework. The results of the PESTLE analysis showed that Tesco needed to take measures to protect itself from a wide variety of potential adverse external influences. By keeping a close eye on these factors and making necessary adjustments to its operations, Tesco can keep its competitive edge and enjoy long-term, sustainable growth.
The report said that Tesco should put an emphasis on customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as develop new products and services, strengthen its supply chain, provide financial support for employee education, evaluate and optimise its operations on a regular basis, and fund these endeavours. This feedback helps Tesco achieve its goals of long-term growth and competitive advantage.
The study also highlighted the need of assessing and adjusting a clear, thorough, and realistic business development plan on a regular basis to match the ever-changing demands of consumers and markets. This study also highlighted the significance of strong project management, negotiation, and analytical skills in the creation of effective strategies and implementation plans.
The success of Tesco's business development plan will depend on how well the company is able to put these concepts into practise, as well as on external market and competitive aspects that can impact the company's revenue growth.
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