Swot

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SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats)

This is based on a small retail outlet in the centre of a large city. It could apply to any such outlet, but in this particular case it is a small grocery business. The owner runs the business with a few staff. It has been in existence for many years, being owned and run by generations of the same family. The people the business was established to serve have moved away from the city centre. Their old houses are now occupied by small professional businesses - architects, lawyers, accountants, etc. - or have been broken up into student flats. Very few people now come for a major weekly shop for groceries. The current owner has watched his business decline for years and has decided to analyse the current situation.

Internal Factors:

Weaknesses:

The owner is not a young man, neither are his existing staff. He recognises that they may have difficulty in adapting to change. In particular, they are likely to have difficulty with the new technology of the internet. He does not see how he could make staff redundant who had been loyal for years.

The business has been failing for years and there is no capital available to finance changes. It would be necessary to seek outside finance.

Strengths:

The business has an excellent site in the city centre - thousands of people work within just five minutes walking distance.

The furniture in the premises - counters, shelves, etc. - is very old creating a period atmosphere that is commented upon and praised by younger professional people.

External Factors:

Threats:

The population is more mobile than it used to be in the days when the business was established. They have cars and are prepared to travel many miles to supermarkets for their shopping. The supermarkets are able to negotiate very favourable terms with their suppliers because of the volumes of goods they...