• Demonstrates understanding of a wide range of strategy models and ability to appropriately apply them using the information from the case study.
• Demonstrates understanding of the case study organisation and depth of insight and synthesis from the analysis of each model and analysis of the overall strategic position (synthesis of SWOT analysis).
• Recommendations are based on the earlier analysis and demonstrate good understanding of Ansoff and the case.
• Good evidence of academic reading. Good use of Harvard referencing.
• Report is well structured and presented; arguments are coherent, logical and persuasive.
Browns Sports Footwear is the number one in selling its rubber sole sport sneakers, shoes and trainers which is a family owned brand. The brand is still competing with other brands like Nike and Adidas as they are back by them in the competition. In the late 80s the brand was worn by high profile celebrities Madonna, Princess Diana and Prince William in his school days.
The report is based on Browns Sports Footwear by analyzing its strategies and models top get an in depth insight of the organization. The performance can be even better in all aspects by creating demand for the company by recommending future strategic actions taken (Bhushan and Rai, 2004).
The various strategic models used in Browns are given below:
In the year 2010 it was seen that the footwear industry was accounted for 5.4% of total household expenses and that raise to 5.7% in 2014. This result shows that UK footwear market has grown by 24% in the last 5 years from £1.3billion in 2010 to £1.7billion in 2014. This increased resulted due to raising concerns about being fit and healthy. In the year 2014 the amount £1.7billion spent from that it is seen that 19% was on running shoes and 35% was made for general use. The age group between 25-34 years brought trainers 49.7% in the last 12 months. One of the highest purchases made in this section and in age group between 15-54 years this can be said that 40% of the individuals have brought trainers. The above information is generated from the table given below:
Browns invested a huge amount which affects can be seen in the late 90s and in the year 2002 recession took place. This results the brand in closing down its shops and making use of third party for selling their products like Foot Locker and Schuh. At present Browns have only 4% of UK footwear market and globally it can be evaluated the fall has reduced from 8% to 2%.
The consumers prefer celebrity endorsed brand footwear such as Catwalks and various designers such as Channel, Tom Ford etc. Celina promoted sneakers for £600 a pair and stars like Michael Jordan, Pharrell Williams made promoting of brands Nike and Adidas. The younger generation of people is changing their purchasing habits by preferring latest footwear available in market (Birkinshaw, 2004). The female market has increased for sports shoes and the company has to be socially responsible to the community.
In UK most of the manufacture makes shoes from leather and suede as it depends on the availability of raw materials. This has increased the cost of production in the last 5 years as the cost of leather has increased in global market. The product manufactured by Browns has to be developed in technology by using innovative footwear.
The staffs are excess in Browns so to preserve the company has cut down its cost and they are ethical company so they follow the rules as per UK footwear market.
The products used for manufacturing the footwear are environmentally friendly as the technology used for making is leather and suede it is affecting the market (Chung et al., 2007). The cattle production has reduced due to effect from both sides of demand and supply.
Fig: 1 Value Chain Analysis
[Source: www.affino.com]
Value Chain Analysis is the process by which organizational functions and activities are examined. This can be achieved by creating customer value (Jeyarathnam, 2008).
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Inbound Logistics Low production cost Reduction in inventory risks by using effective supply chain tools Focusing on product designing. Its technology and marketing Operations Investment should be made in Reassert & Development Assistance should be provided in factory No use of heavy metal, glue or any kind of solvent Outbound Logistics Supplier relationship should be good by using strong distribution channels Marketing & Sales Reputation and brand recognition is must Celebrity Endorsement Funds should be allocated on marketing budget Building brand value Services Using IT to improve customer service Customer is satisfied with the product used |
Firm Infrastructure Top management should be empowered in taking right decision The risk has been calculated by the firm Human Resource Management The individuals are promoted and hired The company has high ethical values attached Using hierarchy concept Technology Development The company website is being re built Sales is more happening through E-Commerce Procurement Buffer and inventory should be kept in hand |
It is used by the organization to judge the profitability of an industry which can be evaluated by the competitive pressure (Powell, 2014). The five forces are as follows:
The brand is facing rivalry from many strong competitors such as Nike; Adidas etc. as in the footwear industry have grown over years. The customers are loyal to the brand by having engaging the masses through online selling.
The growing of substitute products in the section of casual footwear products such as Havaianas, fit flops, crocs and Birkenstocks in sunny days. In cold days one can use Dr Martens, Timberlands, Uggs and Kickers have lost fashion from trainers and fashion sneakers. Trainers have filled the gap of traditional formal footwear in classrooms where sports shoe and formal shoe has kind of been abolished.
This risk is low in case of Browns footwear market as investment required is huge for this market. The brand is innovating and creating new designs to attract more customers (Sadler, 2003). The brand is making is appearance in public my marketing on social media, online sites etc. for making its presence felt.
The raw materials used are leather, rubber and cotton which are easily available from many suppliers. It is abundant in market so it is low in case of suppliers.
The buyers belong to age group between 15-54 years in looking for trainers as they are the customers. The product used need to be developed as in late 80s the brand was preferred by many individuals. The price of the products has to be in accordance with the needs of the buyer so it is high for them (Saloner et al., 2001).
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The logo of the brand is classic B which is a replica for trainers which includes brands like Nike, Adidas etc. The cutting of cost as staff are over than required by providing quality footwear The use of celebrities like Madonna, Prince William etc. for showcasing their footwear trends In the late 80s they were on magazines and television The footwear brand uses old trends like retro and skater styles The brand had the presence in the market in the late 80s as powerful celebrities aware by Browns Browns was on top list when rubber sole shoes, trainers, sneakers were asked by customers Quality of products are good and raw materials are good in their place (Foss, 2007) |
The online presence of the brand is almost nil and very limited range of products are available The competition is huge for the company as against its competitors The delivery process is slow in case of online orders as almost all the products are out of stock. The return procedure is very hectic for the end customers Browns failed to attract women clients which was an emerging trend as Rosie Huntington-Whitley inspired people to exercise The company relied on third party sellers after economic downturn in 2002 |
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The designs have reached a maturity stage so producing different design would be an advantage Consumers are attracting their appeal to stores where discounts are available The market should be scanned before launching a new product |
The company can make its name in online market by entering into E-Commerce business The stock of products should be huge for making the customers choose their size and smooth user interface should be present Nowadays, not only women but men are also focusing on being fit so the shoes have to be made with dry fit and light foam technology by competing with other footwear brands The brand can promotes their products by being on social media, Facebook and any other online promotional sites The organization can tie-up with other major retail giants for keeping their product in their store |
From the various models used in the Browns footwear in UK it can be said that the strategy followed by the brand is from its heritage. According to him people are looking back in their 80s for fashion and the EBay stock is selling them at higher prices. He states that average selling price is £57 which is ahead of its competitors. He adopted the strategy of inventing man size shoes starting from 5 to 6 as women are purchasing it frequently. He repositioned the brand by giving the look of retro and heritage feels of late 80s. The brand is making an online presence in the market by selling more innovative and heritage products which is the uniqueness of the brand. As the competition is high in market it is impossible for new investors to start new business of footwear in UK (Stoney, 2001).
Bhushan, N. & Rai, K. (2004) Strategic decision making. London: Springer.
Birkinshaw, J. (2004). Strategic management. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Pub.
Chung, W., Tan, K. and Koh, S. (2007). Modelling strategic business decisions. [Bradford, England]: Emerald.
Foss, N. (2007). Strategic belief management. Strategic Organization, 5(3), pp.249-258.
Jeyarathnam, M. (2008). Strategic management. Mumbai: Himalaya Pub. House.
Powell, T. (2014). Strategic management and the person. Strategic Organization, 12(3), pp.200-207.
Sadler, P. (2003). Strategic management. Sterling, VA: Kogan Page.
Saloner, G., Shepard, A. and Podolny, J. (2001). Strategic management. New York: John Wiley.
Stoney, C. (2001). Strategic management or strategic Taylorism?. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 14(1), pp.27-42.
Warner, A. (2010). Strategic analysis and choice. New York: Business Expert Press.
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