Key Success Factors Essay Example

chain is a constant part of their strategy. During the previous financial year, they had replaced 5 outdated warehouses with 2 modern and flexible warehouses.

According to the operational managers of the company, investing in the short term will result in a reduction of transportation mileage and an improvement in the physical location's quality. In the medium term, the investment will serve as a foundation for new and more efficient approaches to the market (‘Annual Report 2006’, 200). The company handles distribution and all related activities, and due to the increasing demand for their products, a more adaptable distribution system is necessary to improve delivery frequency.

The main objective of these endeavors is to optimize the business operations and processes. One instance of investing in enhancing supply chain management involves dedicating more effort to comprehend corporate costs and their effects on business operations. At present, the company follows the push model, which involves allocating most products without considering individual store variations. Analyzing costs will assist the company in reducing business inventory and boosting net margins (‘Annual Report 2006’, 200). Another area that has received significant attention is the entertainment segment of the company.

Under the 2entertain scheme, corporate strategy in entertainment was implemented through a joint venture program with BBC worldwide. The focus of this initiative was to integrate the business plan into the segment, as highlighted in the 'Annual Report 2006' (p. 200). Looking ahead, the retail industry is expected to undergo substantial growth and complexity worldwide, resulting in a more competitive environment.

To address challenges in the retail industry, companies must improve cost control and prioritize IT programs. The industry will also be impacted by new communication

technology innovations. Investing in existing IT infrastructure is recommended, while also implementing customer-centric programs to meet their demands.

According to ‘Investor Area’ (2007), the way to achieve this is through sustained investment in online store promotions and the development of an integrated online service that takes into account employee requirements. To ensure the protection of corporate assets, the company needs to be especially cautious with transportation and reward employees justly. The company's bottom line could greatly benefit from increased cost efficiency measures, and new opportunities in the entertainment industry could offer further advantages.

According to the 'Investor Area' (2007), the 2entertain agenda is currently the most promising prospect for the company's future. To ensure success, the company should focus on improving its online services and exploring potential partnerships within the entertainment industry. Analysts predict a highly competitive retail and entertainment market in the coming years. However, the company has faced difficulties managing its online systems.

Despite expectations of future losses, removing online services will not have a positive outcome for the company. This paper has explored the impact of environmental forces on Woolworths' ability to compete in the UK retailing industry amidst the opportunities presented by the development of electronic commerce.

This paper utilizes SWOT analysis to provide a comprehensive analysis of Woolworths' strategic position within their industry. Key success factors are identified and recommendations for sustainable growth are given. The sources used for this analysis include the 2006 Annual Report found at http://www.woolworths.co.uk and a 2005 Marksandspencerstudy found at http://www.marksandspencerstudy.

DSG International plc's profile can be found at com/profile.html.