Analysis of Trends, Challenges and Best Practices in Contemporary Retailing:A Case of TESCO Group
Analysis of Trends, Challenges and Best Practices in Contemporary Retailing:A Case of TESCO Group
Analysis of Trends, Challenges and Best Practices in Contemporary Retailing:A Case of TESCO Group
ABSTRACT:Retail sector is a significant contributor to the growth of any economy. With consumers taking
more control by influencing the industry dynamics, retail is expected to change rapidly in the coming years.
Brand loyalty, multi-channel shopping, convenience shopping and technological changes are few trends to look
out for in the next five years. The following paper looks at the Retail industry, its current trends and the
challenges it poses. It highlights the consumer buying behaviour, changing patterns of the industry and other
relative aspects.
Irrespective of the volume of the business, any small retailer can flourish and become the most competent player
in the industry, thereby leaving little scope for a big giant like TESCO to grow and flourish in the emerging
markets. Whilst covering the most prevalent practices and research methods, this analysis critically evaluates
them by taking into consideration the future strategies needed for growth of TESCO PLC, for its operations in
India and across the globe as an international retailer.
The conclusion drawn states that in the future both online and offline channels will have their relevance for
consumers; channel integration being its major characteristic. Further, recommendations are given for Tesco
such as- understanding the shopping patterns in detail by employing observation; acting strategically by using
scenario planning and looking for growth internationally.
KEYWORDS: Retail Trends, challenges, practices, supermarket, hypermarket, food, TATA, TESCO
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Date of Submission:20-11-2018 Date of acceptance: 06-12-2018
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I. INTRODUCTION
Retail industry has witnessed a boom since 2008 registering an annual growth of 3.8% globally and is
expected to earn revenues worth US$ 28 trillion by 2019 (Business Wire, 2016). Whilst providing employment
opportunities to a large number of people it represents 31% of the world’s GDP comprising of 35% direct sales
from USA and China majorly. The retail sector contributed around £358 billion to the total UK output in 2016
(Rhodes, 2017). Retail industry in the UK grew by 3.4% in 2016 (Osborne, 2017) and is expected to reach 6.1%
in 2017 (Thau, 2017).
The Indian retail sector contributes to 10% of the country’s GDP and generates 8% employment
making it the 5th largest retail destination in the global market place. With factors such as increasing middle
class, rapid urbanization and high internet connectivity; the market is expected to capture 60% reaching US$ 1.1
trillion by 2020. According to a study by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, India is estimated to
reach its total potential of B2C for US$ 26 billion in the next three years.
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Analysis of trends, challenges and best practices in contemporary retailing:A case of TESCO Group
2.1 Methodology
This study incorporated an illustrative research employing a qualitative methodology for the purpose of
understanding international retailing issues and experiences. Exploratory research method is used that facilitates
finding patterns from the previous literature and develops understanding of the contemporary scenarios
pertaining to the study (Saunders et al., 2012).
The study primarily focused on TESCO as it is the third largest retailer in the world. TESCO
experienced immense growth in the UK. Further, TESCO’s ambitious plans of setting up of hypermarkets,
supermarkets as a part of its internationalization programmes have made internationalization a part of its
strategy. Therefore, inductive approach is used as it facilitates generalizing a set of observations and extracts
their meaning to suit the needs of the study (Bryman and Bell, 2011). The study aims to provide insights for
retailers through analysis of different information available, thereby making inductive approach more suitable.
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Analysis of trends, challenges and best practices in contemporary retailing:A case of TESCO Group
1. Reinartz et al. (2011) state that there are two different set of challenges for retailers in a globalized market.
Whilst in developed markets challenges are more related to innovation and dealing with stagnancy but in
developing markets it is related to functioning of retail network, catering to different income groups,
transportation, and infrastructure.
2. Knee (2002) suggests five challenges taking into consideration the experience levels of stores. These are
retail branding, people, growth, customer-centeredness, performance and measurement. (Knee, 2002).
3. Whiteman (2015) states that retail failures are attributed to the developments in technology. While other
industries are also affected but retail failures are mainly due to:
Boom in online retailing
Outdated stores not providing enough value to the consumers
Short-sightedness
4. Fulgoni, 2014 states that with the rise of omni-channel presence, there has been in advertising patterns for
retailers. Any discrepancy in technology leads to loss of consumers. Digitization of every aspect of
shopping poses further challenge in bridging the gap between the two.
5. According to PwC (2015), the companies in retail have the following challenges:
Price deflation and rising costs
Human resource problems
Tax issues
Supply chain management systems
Changing consumer trends and demographics
M&A expansion and consolidation
6. Corstjens and Lal (2012), highlight the reasons for failure of retailers to go global. According to Corstjens
and Lal (2012) lack of suitable sites, land costs and already established competition acts as a barrier to enter
new developed markets. For e.g. TESCO failure in a developed market is attributed to the fact that
consumers did not find the concept too novel, different or valuable. While this is totally opposite for
developing nations as foreign brands are considered premium and markets are more fragmented. Further, it
takes a long time to establish as a grocery retailer in a different country owing to the fact that network
building is a slow process as the retailer starts from one store in one city and then gradually build up. For
instance, it took Walmart 15 years to break even in China in 2010 (Corstjens and Lal, 2012).
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Analysis of trends, challenges and best practices in contemporary retailing:A case of TESCO Group
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Analysis of trends, challenges and best practices in contemporary retailing:A case of TESCO Group
Canetta et al. (2013) propose hybrid demand scenario planning emphasizing on the fact that retailers need
to combine both traditional as well as e-commerce demand for their strategic planning process.
Roxburgh (2009) highlights a few interesting benefits of scenario planning which are specific to retail
sector:
Scenarios help in mitigating the future uncertainties
They expand the thinking process and ensure channelizing of efforts in the best possible way
They help in avoiding 'groupthinking' and directing it towards the welfare of the firm collectively.
A good example of scenario planning is Sainsbury's. Their Hythe store in Kent is using innovative
technologies to cut carbon usage as well as reduce its demand on the national grid. This is a smart initiative in
preparation for the future when availability of electricity, carbon intensity and power cost will differ. It is using
Hythe as a test bed to learn and prepare itself for a time when electrical availability, carbon intensity and the
cost of power may differ across the day. Sainsbury is already well equipped to deal with future shortages (Fox,
2012).
IV. CONCLUSION
Retailing is a complex business which first needs understanding of our own business before employing
any strategies. Consumers are less loyal and more experimental. For a consumer all channels have same
relevance and use them simultaneously. Therefore, channel integration becomes a key to the success of any
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Analysis of trends, challenges and best practices in contemporary retailing:A case of TESCO Group
retail business. Moreover, the brick-and-mortar will add to the future value of the business, therefore, the
retailers need to keep themselves updated.
Though this entity is one of the strongest players in retail industry, it can’t solely promise unwavering well-
being in the business forever. TESCO experience sets a very good example for the marketers on understanding
accurately the changes happening around and strategies to be formulated accordingly.
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