Analysis of Zara Company

Question: Discuss about theAnalysis of Zara Company. Answer: Introduction Zara is a fashion retailer that has gained international acclamation as a leader in the fashion industry. The company is credited with producing new products on a regular basis. The production rate is much faster than that of its competitors. The high rate of production is attributed strong supply chain that is well established (?epinskis and Masteika, 2015). Having said this, the company faces some challenges including costs and customer demands. It is imperative that a detailed analysis should be carried out so that these challenges can be concretely identified and addressed. Zara has managed to create a strong image and a high level of differentiation in the fashion industry. The company can manufacture products that its competitors cannot imitate easily. To achieve this fete, the company is well aware of the external environment (Azevedo and Sanchez, 2015). This paper is seeking to give an analysis of Zara company by addressing the situational analysis, business strategy, and the marketing matrix. External Environment Analysis PESTEL Analysis Politically, the company has found it safe to open several subsidiaries in other countries. This conducive political environment has opened up the market for the textile industry (Filieri, 2015). Additionally, there are no instances of quotas on importation of textile products to other countries. The move to deregulate the textile industry has created room for competitive pricing, ability to enjoy large economies of scale (Dua, Huangb, and Liu, 2015). In light of large scale production. Further, political upheaval affects the operation of the company more so in its subsidiaries. Economically, the textile industry faces several adjustments. The company reels from economic factors such as recession and economic sanctions. Hard economic times, often affect customer demand. This situation is prompted by limited disposable income that consumers have (Gamboa and Gonalves, 2014). In this case, consumers reduce their expenditures on clothing which may be deemed to be just fashion items. To overcome this challenges, the company produces cheap merchandise to attract and retain more customers. Socially, there is growing demand in the fashion industry. The young generation is looking trendy fashion that suits their tastes. The demographic patterns also offer a quick and ready market for the fashion industry (Gallien et al., 2014). It suffices to mention that socially; the company is accepted by many consumers around the world. This positive image has enabled the company to maintain a competitive edge in the market. To be in synchrony with this trend, Zara continues to produce high-quality products that are cheap. Technologically, there are several changes. It is important to state that technological advancements have impacted on the fashion industry. New technology has been essential in reducing the cost of production. Additionally, new technology has led to an efficient production process. High-quality products are synonymous with improved technology (Hassan, 2014). The use of computers in production has improved efficacy and proper management. Zara has been able to use modern technologies to remain competitive in the global market. The company has embraced new technology in earnest. Environmentally, some factors impact on the productivity of companies in the textile industry. Raw materials are at the core of the textile industry. These raw materials include cotton, wood pulp, silkworms among others. Issues such as global warming and climate change affect production process, and as such, there is need to develop better strategies for improved productivity. The company has been able to produce environmentally favorable products. Zara has been involved in environmental protection so as to ensure that there are sustainable growth and development (Garca-lvarez, 2015). Because the level of completion is high in the fashion industry, there is need to focus on legal protection. This legal protection should address the intellection property right (Garca, 2014). Businesses are becoming more concerned about their ideas and how to guard such ideas from imitation. Zara has been able to prevent imitation of its products by implementing a reduction of the timeframe in the supply chain. The company has therefore greatly benefited from first-mover advantage. Porters Five Force Analysis This approach is effective in the identification of external factors that impact on operations of Zara. In this approach, there are forces that act together to influence business environment. The fashion industry is very competitive and thus makes this approach to be relevant in its analysis. Through this approach, it is easier to comprehend how Zara has carved a niche in the fashion industry. In this industry, there are no threat of entry and as such individuals who would wish to venture into this industry can do so with relative ease. However, companies are required to invest enormous resources so that they can enjoy large economies of scale (Hassan, 2014). This will help in addressing the need for cheaper products by consumers. Additionally, small scale entrants cannot compete with an established company such as Zara. Additionally, the issue of substitution is very high in this industry because consumers have several choices to make as far as producers are concerned. The taste and preferences of consumers change rapidly within the fashion industry, and therefore, these needs must be addressed (Hassan, 2014). It is important to mention that power of consumers affects the industry. Consumers can access numerous retailers for different products. The decision to buy certain items lie with the consumers (Kim, and Lee, 2014). Today, consumers can access different retailers through the internet and make buying decisions. It suffices to point out that the continued price wars in this industry have given consumers a great deal of influence. Zara has been able to meet the changing consumer demands through innovative and cheap products. Further, the power of suppliers that affects the fashion industry and it is considerably low. Some companies have made the decision outsource their production operations to developing nations to cut costs (Jonsson, and Tolstoy, 2013). Zara, for instance, has the leverage to change suppliers hence lowering the cost of raw materials. However, companies must be wary of any unethical behaviors of the third party players in the fashion industry. There is the competitive rivalry in the fashion industry, and it is increasing rapidly. As such, Zara should establish itself as a dominant player in the industry. The company should capitalize on its large customer base and cheap products. Analysis of the Internal Environment SWOT Analysis Zara has numerous strengths that have enabled it to carve a unique niche in the fashion industry. First, the company has a robust and reliable supply chain that has enabled to supply new products to various markets. Secondly, the company has several stores across the globe hence it has created strong product image. Third, the company can supply new products to various market hence giving its customers varieties to choose. Albeit the strengths, the company has some weaknesses. One of the weaknesses is related to the internal operations. The demand for large volume production of production has impeded regular innovations and development of new products. The company has established itself as a high-end street fashion, and as such, production of luxurious and expensive products will only drive away customers (Tokatli, 2014). The company cannot produce the unique products for the simple reason that it has kept its prices low. There are some opportunities that the company enjoys. There is growing customer base both locally and internationally (Kim, and Lee, 2014). The growing customer base can be maintained through innovation, production of cheap and unique products among others. Additionally, many customers tend to visit Zara stores to find out new fashion designs. Companies within the fashion industry face stiff competition. There are other large companies in the industry that are in opposition to equally reduce their prices. This means that the continued price wars will hurt business prospects of Zara. Some of these companies with the ability to lower their prices considerably are HM and Primark (Yip, and Huang, 2016). Analysis of Strategy The corporate strategy focuses on the general approach that Zara adopts in carrying out its operations. This strategy is anchored on increased efficiency which has enabled it to among the leading fashion companies in the world. The strategy has been designed to allow for an efficient supply to reach as many consumers as possible. Additionally, the company always strives to introduce new products in the markets more often to keep up with consumer demands. The company ought to maintain a cost base element that will ensure even greater support from its customers. Further, the company should always produce cheaper products so that it can attract and retain more customers (Yip, and Huang, 2016). At the business level, the company should focus on some product lines so as to maintain the control on high street stores. Additionally, there is need to make the supply more efficient for improved business. The company may consider forming alliances with other companies to improve its business an d the supply chain. This will allow Zara to be a business that focuses more on technology for better efficiencies in production (Turker, and Altuntas, 2014). Furthermore, the business strategy should lay great emphasis on building stronger teams. The company is putting a strong emphasis on communication to reach wider markets. There is the advertisement that is done on the traditional media channels and the internet. Implementation and Evaluation of Strategies When implementing business strategies, evaluation is paramount to ascertain the level of efficacy (Mo, 2015). For instance, the supply chain should be monitored to ensure that it is working efficiently. The production of new products is usually consumer driven owing the ever changing tastes and preferences. Therefore, the implementation process should put into consideration the demands and aspirations of customers. Lastly, the company in implementing its strategies has always focused on ethical considerations. The current business environment requires certain ethical issues to be looked at when doing business. Marketing Strategy The marketing strategy entails the use print media and direct selling. Additionally, the company is using a website to reach a wider market. Through the companys website, customers can be updated on the new designs that are available in the stores. Further, the company has kept a close connection with the corporate headquarters (Cortez et al., 2014). Lastly, the company is producing high-quality products that are appealing to different customers and also building a strong relationship with their clients. Target Markets The potential markets for Zara are customers from the Middle East and Asian countries. Additionally, there are customers across Europe and Africa. Market research has shown that about 50% of the worlds population are interested in new fashions. Zara is targeting both young and old customers. The company is targeting other markets in the whole of Africa through a concerted effort in the production of quality products (Cortez et al., 2014). The Inditex group of wholesalers serves as a safety channel for the companys import business. The company has also maintained a good relationship with the Spanish wholesalers has created an alternative market given the established channels for distribution. Positioning The company has positioned itself as a high-quality fashion distributor in the market. To this end, the company only sells high-quality designs. Competition is high and Zara is offering the most competitive prices to attract more customers. Zara has formed relationships with other retailers such as Inditex so as to sustain its competitive edge (Kim, and Lee, 2014). Additionally, the company has positioned itself as a leader in innovations and producer of high-quality products. Marketing Mix Marketing mix consists of a raft of approaches to expand the current market segment. These approaches include distribution, pricing, promotion and advertising, and quality customer service. The product is distributed effectively and efficiently to overseas markets. The company is using different modes of communication to reach many customers in the market. In this endeavor, promotions and advertising are used. In conducting its promotions, the company offers products at a discounted price, use of credit cards, among others so as to retain loyal customers and attract new ones (Tokatli, 2014). In conclusion, Zara is a company that has established itself a premier producer of cheap fashion products. The company has carved a niche in the fashion industry because of its efficiency in production. Reference List Azevedo, T. and Sanchez, R., 2015. The Production Method Adopted by Zara and Its Impacts on Consumer Decision Making. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 4(09), pp.93-102. ?epinskis, J. and Masteika, I., 2015. Impact of logistics processes on competitiveness of companies. Management of Organizations: Systematic Research, (55), pp.71-89. Cortez, M.A., Tu, N.T., Van Anh, D., Ng, B.Z. and Vegafria, E., 2014. Fast fashion quadrangle: An analysis. Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, 18(1), p.1. Dua, H., Huangb, Y. and Liu, Y., 2015, April. The Analysis of the SPA Apparel Company Strategy. In 2nd International Conference on Civil, Materials and Environmental Sciences. Atlantis Press. Filieri, R., 2015. From market-driving to market-driven: an analysis of Benettons strategy change and its implications for long-term performance. Marketing Intelligence Planning, 33(3), pp.238-257. Gallien, J., Mersereau, A.J., Garro, A., Mora, A.D. and Vidal, M.N., 2015. Initial shipment decisions for new products at Zara. Operations Research, 63(2), pp.269-286. Gamboa, A.M. and Gonalves, H.M., 2014. Customer loyalty through social networks: Lessons from Zara on Facebook. Business Horizons, 57(6), pp.709-717. Garca-lvarez, M.T., 2015. Analysis of the effects of ICTs in knowledge management and innovation: The case of Zara Group. Computers in Human Behavior, 51, pp.994-1002. Garca, J.M., 2014. Demand forecasting at Zara: a look at seasonality, product lifecycle and cannibalization (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Hassan, A., 2014. Do brands targeting women use instamarketing differently: a content analysis. Marketing management association spring 2014 proceedings, pp.62-65. Jonsson, A. and Tolstoy, D., 2013. A thematic analysis of research on global sourcing and international purchasing in retail firms. International Journal of Retail Distribution Management, 42(1), pp.56-83. Kim, G. and Lee, S., 2014. Business Strategy of Fast Fashion-A Case Study of Zara. Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 38(2), pp.175-190. Mo, Z., 2015. Internationalization Process of Fast Fashion Retailers: Evidence of HM and Zara. International Journal of Business and Management, 10(3), p.217. Tokatli, N., 2014. Single-firm case studies in economic geography: some methodological reflections on the case of Zara. Journal of Economic Geography, p.13. Turker, D. and Altuntas, C., 2014. Sustainable supply chain management in the fast fashion industry: An analysis of corporate reports. European Management Journal, 32(5), pp.837-849. Yip, A.C. and Huang, M., 2016. Strategic values of technology-driven innovation in inventory management: a case study of Zara's RFID implementation. International Journal of Inventory Research, 3(4), pp.318-336.

J.K. Rowlings fifth book, Harry Potter Essay Example For Students

J.K. Rowlings fifth book, Harry Potter Essay In J. K. Rowlings fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry with his friends Ron and Hermione helped to save Harrys godfather from Lord Voldermort. Harry Potter, the main character of the story, is a fifteen-year-old boy who is an orphan. Harry Potter is also a wizard who is learning at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His closest family member is Sirius Black. Sirius Black is a convicted murderer although he did not murder anyone. Ron Weasley his best friend comes from a big, poor wizard family. His entire family has red hair. Hermione Granger is another one of Harrys good friends. She is a very clever witch even though she comes from a muggle family. A muggle is a person that does not have any magical power in them like Hermiones parents. Albus Dumbledore is the old and wise Headmaster of Hogwarts and is the only wizard that Lord Voldemort fears. Lord Voldemort is the most powerful, dark wizard of all time and the whole wizarding world fears him greatly. Harry has begun to have very strange dreams about being inside the body or the object that Voldemort is possessing at that time. Harry believes that these dreams are actually occurring in the real world. Dumbledore can see that Harry is having these dreams and does not think that it is a good idea for them to continue. This was mainly due to the fact that Dumbledore thinks that Voldemort might try and use this connection between Harry and Voldemort to lure Harry out of school and right into the enemys hands. Therefore, Dumbledore assigns Professor Snape the job of teaching Harry occlumency. Occlumency is an obscure branch of magic that can rid the mind of external penetration. Skills in occlumency would stop the dreams that occurred when his mind was going through a lot of stress. One of the dreams that Harry had, was one of his godfather, Sirius Black, being tortured by Voldemort. Harry thought that his godfather was really captured and actually being tortured by Voldemort in the department of mysteries. Harry thought that the only way to rescue Sirius was to go to the department of mysteries and find him. Once Harry gets inside the department of mysteries, he goes straight to where Sirius was in his dream. He then lifts a prophecy off a shelf and then Lord Voldemort comes in and starts to duel Harry. Harry is about to give up when Dumbledore comes to the rescue and starts gaining an advantage over Voldemort. Voldemort flees but the minister sees him and his existence is now public and the whole wizarding community is now aware that the dark wizard that they once thought dead had actually been alive for thirteen years. Harry goes back to school and is told the story of why Voldemort wanted to kill Harry as a baby. Harry is very angry with Dumbledore for keeping the secret from him this long because if he had not then he would have been able to save many people from dieing. In the end, Harry and his friends are back at Hogwarts and safe. His godfather died dueling Voldemort and no one knows the whereabouts of Lord Voldemort.

Your Rights Essays - Law Enforcement In The United States

Your Rights Don't Talk to Cops By Robert W. Zeuner, Member of the New York State Bar " GOOD MORNING! My name is investigator Holmes. Do you mind answering a few simple questions?" If you open your door one day and are greeted with those words, STOP AND THINK! Whether it is the local police or the FBI at your door, you have certain legal rights of which you ought to be aware before you proceed any further. In the first place, when law enforcement authorities come to see you, there are no "simple questions". Unless they are investigating a traffic accident, you can be sure that they want information about somebody. And that somebody may be you! Rule number one to remember when confronted by the authorities is that there is no law requiring you to talk with the police, the FBI, or the representative of any other investigative agency. Even the simplest questions may be loaded and the seemingly harmless bits of information which you volunteer may later become vital links in a chain of circumstantial evidence against you or a friend. DO NOT INVITE THE INVESTIGATOR INTO YOUR HOME! Such an invitation not only gives him the opportunity to look around for clues to your lifestyle, friends, reading material, etc., but also tends to prolong the conversation. The longer the conversation, the more chance there is for a skill investigator to find out what he wants to know. Many times a police officer will ask you to accompany him to the police station to answer a few questions. In that case, simply thank him for the invitation and indicate that you are not disposed to accept it at this time. Often the authorities simply want to photograph a person for identification purposes, a procedure which is easily accomplished by placing him in a private room with a two-way mirror at the station, asking him a few innocent questions, and then releasing him. If the investigator becomes angry at your failure to cooperate and threatens you with arrest, stand firm. He cannot legally place you under arrest or enter your home without a warr ent signed by a judge. If he indicates that he has such a warrent, ask to see it. A person under arrest, or located on premises to be searched, generally must be shown a warrent if he requests it and must be given to chance to read it. Without a warrent, an officer depends solely upon your helpfulness to obtain the information he wants. So, unless you are quite sure of yourself, don't be helpful. Probably the wisest approach to take to a persistant investigator is simply to say: "I'm quite busy now. If you have any questions that you feel I can answer, I'd be happy to listen to them in my lawyer's office. Goodbye!" Talk is cheap. When that talk involves the law enforcement authorities, it may cost you, or someone close to you, dearly. This info came from a leaflet that was printed as a public service by individuals concerned with the growing role of authoritarianism and police power in our society. Please feel free to copy or republish. This info also applies to dealing with private investigators, and corporate security agents.

Essay Topics in Florida - Your Local Knowledge Goes a Long Way

Essay Topics in Florida - Your Local Knowledge Goes a Long WayWhen you attend a college in Florida, you may not have much choice in your essay topics. Florida is one of the top states for college students to be at. Florida bars offer exceptional education and enjoyable experiences. Your focus should be on making the most of your opportunities.It is crucial that you choose a topic that fits within your field. If you are not used to writing a lot of academic papers, it is a good idea to do some research into various types of essays before you commit to writing your first college bar essay. In Florida, it is common to find students enrolled in an arts degree program that focuses heavily on creative writing.Florida essay topics are very similar to other major cities. You will want to focus on local themes and issues. You can find ideas for topics in arts, culture, business, literature, and even the environment. If you are very interested in the arts, you may consider creating your own sh ort film. If you have an interest in science, there are hundreds of activities involving all sorts of science-related subjects.The key to writing interesting Florida essay topics is to incorporate some kind of local connection into your essay. You may want to consider some of the things that your local community and culture offers. Whether you are researching a city's history or discussing the current events, you may want to include a reference to something that is happening in your local area. Even though you are writing for the college paper, you are still taking the time to tell a little about your state and local culture.Essay topics can often be divided into two categories. The first category is general topics that cover a wide range of subjects. The second category of essay topics is more specific. The types of topics covered are:Florida bar essay topics may consist of several different categories. If you are writing a research paper, you may need to research specific subjects such as: fisheries, tourism, landscaping, zoology, and botany. This way, you can review all of the pertinent information while concentrating on your writing style.College essay topics are a part of your life; therefore, you should be able to make use of your local knowledge. There are many interesting topics that could be included in a college paper. By researching on your own, you can identify your favorite areas to write about.Writing Florida essay topics is easy. If you have spent any time researching the topic, you will know what questions to ask. The only thing left to do is take the time to put your ideas into words.

Free Essays on Citizenship In Antigone And Cool Hand Luke

There is a booklet distributed by the state of Georgia that lists the principle components of citizenship . They are honesty, compassion, respect, courage and responsibility. Each of these requirements represents an aspect of human personality that is characterized as â€Å"good† traits. To better understand the vague concept of citizenship, I looked up the term on ask.com and received numerous hits regarding it. Many of the hits were definitions that mostly read â€Å"the legal status of being a citizen of a country.† When I found the booklet distributed to elementary age children and it listed all the qualities of a good citizen, I realized that maybe the reason that we, as a society, have such a vague mental definition of citizenship is possibly because the characteristics of a good citizen have been ingrained into our being since childhood. We are no longer able to differentiate being a good person and doing what is right from being a good citizen. Even though sometimes being a good person morally is not the same as being a good person according to the rules of citizenship. Sophocles’ Antigone is a prime example of a citizen, though not a typical one. She displays all the traits previously listed in one or more ways. She shows respect by realizing that the only way that her brother would get what he had wanted would be for her to break the rules set forth by Creon. â€Å"The time in which I must please those who are dead is longer than I must please those of this world.† (Antigone, 76-77) Antigone realizes that pleasing her brother is more important than to live knowing that she should have and could have done something and didn’t. Also by showing respect for her dead brother, she is also demonstrating the compassion necessary to endanger one’s own life for the sake of the good of another. I also believe that Antigone being honest with Creon shows another aspect of her citizenship. When she tells Creon, â€Å"Yes, I confess; I ... Free Essays on Citizenship In Antigone And Cool Hand Luke Free Essays on Citizenship In Antigone And Cool Hand Luke There is a booklet distributed by the state of Georgia that lists the principle components of citizenship . They are honesty, compassion, respect, courage and responsibility. Each of these requirements represents an aspect of human personality that is characterized as â€Å"good† traits. To better understand the vague concept of citizenship, I looked up the term on ask.com and received numerous hits regarding it. Many of the hits were definitions that mostly read â€Å"the legal status of being a citizen of a country.† When I found the booklet distributed to elementary age children and it listed all the qualities of a good citizen, I realized that maybe the reason that we, as a society, have such a vague mental definition of citizenship is possibly because the characteristics of a good citizen have been ingrained into our being since childhood. We are no longer able to differentiate being a good person and doing what is right from being a good citizen. Even though sometimes being a good person morally is not the same as being a good person according to the rules of citizenship. Sophocles’ Antigone is a prime example of a citizen, though not a typical one. She displays all the traits previously listed in one or more ways. She shows respect by realizing that the only way that her brother would get what he had wanted would be for her to break the rules set forth by Creon. â€Å"The time in which I must please those who are dead is longer than I must please those of this world.† (Antigone, 76-77) Antigone realizes that pleasing her brother is more important than to live knowing that she should have and could have done something and didn’t. Also by showing respect for her dead brother, she is also demonstrating the compassion necessary to endanger one’s own life for the sake of the good of another. I also believe that Antigone being honest with Creon shows another aspect of her citizenship. When she tells Creon, â€Å"Yes, I confess; I ...

Strategies in Striving for Peak Performance and Applying to Sales in Essay

Strategies in Striving for Peak Performance and Applying to Sales in the Insurance Industry - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the companies need to improve their efficiency level and productivity through the greater degree of flexibility and innovation under constant internal as well as external pressure. Since the insurance companies provide services that can be counted under the purview of the retail industry, the selling capabilities of the employees are constantly challenged. Employees not only require technologies but need to integrate creativity in their approaches for better productivity. With a number of players in the market, the insurance business is about to touch the saturation point. This explains that even though the services are increasing, the buyers of services are declining at a steady rate. As a result, employees and managers are facing tremendous work pressure giving rise to feelings of frustration and low motivation. In this respect, people management in insurance companies has assumed a highly prioritized position. Managers are getting instructions from high er authorities to supplement the traditional method of motivation with various contemporary approaches so as to uplift the working spirit of employees at a different level. Keeping in view the current scenario of the insurance industry, the present paper focuses on various motivational strategies and skills that can be implemented therein. The objective and purpose of this piece of work are to examine various motivational theories and its implication in the insurance industry. In simple words, motivation can be defined as rationales underlying a particular behavior. Broussard and Garrison defined it as an attribute that influences the individual to undertake a particular activity. In the broad sense, it is a set of beliefs, values, perceptions, actions, and interests that are highly interlinked. In the following section, various motivational theories have been discussed which will be further discussed in the context of the insurance industry in the later section. In a stress environ ment similar to that of the insurance industry, it is very natural for employees to develop feelings such as aggression, discomfort, and frustration due to monotony and repetitive nature of the task. Motivation can be considered as an important antidote to the given problem of low morale.

The Ethics of Teaching Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Ethics of Teaching - Essay Example The case 16 -1: 'Out of Step' in the book The Ethics of Teaching: A Casebook by Spiegel, Whitley, and Balogh is a perfect situation which needs to be opposed. The sexist humor of Professor Anachronistic in the case is a perfect example of discrimination and only strong opposition to such behaviors can serve the good purpose of teaching. Sexist discrimination by learned people cannot be tolerated at any rate and teachers with such attitudes can devalue the status of this noble profession. There are also views which support the attitude of Professor Anachronistic who enjoys a sexist humor approach to making his point. They claim that such comments are not too condemnable, but need to be taken in a lighter spirit. According to this view, teachers need to enjoy such humorous sense in keeping the interest of the students. However, according to my personal opinion, the attitude and the comments by Professor Anachronistic must be regarded as an incursion into private and sexual freedom. "Sex is now clearly an issue in public policy" and strong actions must be made on such individuals who cause sexual discrimination. (David, 1983, p 141). Spiegel, Patricia Keith., Whitley, Bernard E., and Balogh, Deborah Ware. (2002). The Ethics of Teaching: A Casebook. Taylor & Francis. p 181.