Instructions:
You are a business advisor that is specialised in strategic positioning. You have been approached by JD Sports that was nominated in the ‘Business of the year’ category by the City AM Awards 2019. The company has been distinguished due to their financial performance and their aggressive expansion strategy through an “inventive, nimble business that can still thrive in the sector” (City Am, 2019). The company has hired you to produce a report that provides an outlook for the company’s
2020/2021Academic Year20212strategic direction for the next 5 years.
The company is particularly keen in keeping a health expansion strategy while maintaining it’s retail presence in the UK.This report should include the following sections:
Section 1: Macro Environmental Analysis(30%)
a)Analyse the strategic positioning of the organisation. This must include an assessment of the mission statement and the long-term goals of the organisation.
b)Critically analyse the current macro environment for JD Sports, and interpret information in order to produce likely scenarios that present opportunities and challenges for the retail industry.
Section 2: Capability(30%)
c)Assess the internal capability of an organisation by using the McKinsey’s 7 S framework.
d)Critically evaluate the strategic capabilities of JD Sports, utilising a TOWS matrix.
Section 3: Competitive Analysis& Strategic Options(40%)
e)Apply the Porter’s Five Forces model and evaluate the competitive positioning for JD Sports.
f)Critically evaluate the current and potential strategic positioning for JD Sports by using Ansoff’s matrix and Bowman’s strategic clock, and assess the company’s expansion effort domestically and internationally.
g)Present a strategic management plan, based on the above analysis, that produces a valid strategic direction, objectives and tactical actions for the next 5 years of the organisation in an international context.
Sources:
•JD Sports Corporate Website: https://www.jdplc.com, Accessed on 04.02.2020
•McKinsey and Company (2019),Retail Insight, Available on the https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights, Accessed on 04.02.2020
•Deloitte (2020), Retail Trends 2020, Available on the https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/retail-trends.html, Accessed on 04.02.2020
The report should contain the following elements:
h)Brief executive summary. (excluded from the word count)
i)Glossary of terms and abbreviations: A glossary, also known as a vocabulary, is an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms. This ensures clarification and understanding of the terms used in the report. (excluded from the word count)
j)Introduction to the report and definition of strategy.
k)Section 1
l)Section 2
m)Section 3
n)Conclude your report with any key findings and recommendations
o)References in Harvard format and relevant appendices (both excluded from the word count)
