Mark and Spencer Essay

The internal analysis of the company paints a picture of a firm that is well endowed with resources, both human and capital. The company boasts of an asset base of $11.4 billion according to the financial reports for the year 2012. This is huge, and it shows that the company is well grounded and has the capacity to gain a competitive edge in the highly competitive retail market in which it operates (Britton & Jorissen, 2007).

M&S are one of the UK's leading retailers of clothes, food, home products and financial services. Some 10 million people shop with us each week in over 375

As a group, with retail revenue growth of 4.2% vs. 4.9%, the top 10 grew more slowly than the Top 250 in 2012. Profitability for the broader group also has been lagged by that of the leaders. At 2.8%, the composite net profit margin of top 10 was

The main source of data presented in this paper is the official website of Marks and Spencer. The details of links are provided at the end of this paper under the title of References.

Waking up in the morning, going to sleep at night, and doing what one loves in between, is what success means. That, to me, encompasses being able to help people and possibly save lives as a career. There is a nobility in succeeding in certain areas one cares deeply about. Having the ability and capability to protect and serve is a strong desire within me. Developing my education, in order to further my success something that I perceive as a crucial aspect of being able to do what I love. Attending Endicott is the first step in this journey of mine.

‘We aim to return the UK High Street Retail business to its role as Britain's most popular stationer, bookseller and newsagent … Our plans encompass improved efficiency through cost savings and margin enhancement, while rebuilding the competitiveness and depth of our product ranges.' (Ms Swann BBC, July 2005)

Marks and Spencer (M&S) p.l.c. is one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom with a selling space of 12.5 million square feet, was established in 1884 as ‘Penny bazaar’. M&S sells clothing, food, footwear, gifts and home furnishings in its 760 stores around the world. The company’s wholly own and franchise stores operates in Europe, Hong Kong, Far East, Australia, Middle East, the Bahamas and Bermuda making a total of 34 countries.

Debenhams plc is a general retailer which operates its business in the UK market and is also seeking to realise a further global market expansion. This report will mainly focus on the performance, financial position and the liquidity of Debenhams plc in 2014 and will compare with that of the previous year. A competitor in the same industry, Marks& Spencer, is chosen to make a comparison as well. The report in mainly focused on how Debenhams operated in the UK sector which includes sales from Debenhams stores in UK and online sales delivered to UK addresses. Debenhams faced challenges in 2014; the outcome for the first half was disappointing due to inappropriate sales target was set and the external factors such as market environment, as the whole retail industry has still influenced by the recession. Marks & Spencer is the competitor company which has been chosen to compare and measure Debenhams outcome in 2014.

Part A of this report examines the resources and capabilities of Marks & Spencer (M&S) up to the mid 1990's and how they lead to creating a superior competitive advantage (CA) over all competitors.

As I have mentioned before, this research paper is being taken exclusively with the aim to evaluate the Tesco’s performance in both financial and business terms over a three years period. Since the financials will be compared with its three year

This document/report throws light on the business environment of Marks and Spencers and the analysis of strategic position, strategic direction, success criteria and backed up by future recommendations for the company based on all the mentioned aspects. The frameworks used to analyse the company are:

Beautiful as it was, the way Mr. Spencer showed how he cared about me leaving Pency was just down right annoying, and I couldn’t believe he had the nerve to read my essay out loud, I knew it was a bad, I didn’t give much effort nor want to try, but he didn’t have to lecture me about it for that was what the letter I left on it as for, that old sickly history teacher was a pain.

Tesco’s financial year represents the 52 weeks that ended 27 February 2007, which is prior to 53 weeks that ended 28 February 2009. In accordance with the International Financial Standards (FRS) were the consolidated financial statements prepared. The statements were also prepared in agreement with the Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee (IFRIC).

Marks & Spencer was once a top-of-the-line company in terms of its quality and selection. However, it is reported that the company has become" an out-of-date, uncompetitive blur on the UK stock market. The decline for Marks & Spencer began in the latter part of the 1990s and due to the pressure of a "changing economic demand causing Marks & Spencer to undergo continual business realignment"¦" (IBM, Ltd. 2005, p.1)

This report will demonstrate, apply and evaluate knowledge and understanding of key managerial disciplines of the chosen high street retailer, Marks and Spencer, in different real-world global contexts. According to the report by Deloitte, the retail industry is undergoing immense changes and faces a tough competitive