Apple has strong rivals like Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, HP, Microsoft, HTC, Sony, LG, Xaomi etc. The main substitute is defined by the operating system. The Microsoft windows by Microsoft and android by Google can be considered as the substitute of Mac. The electronic market, specifically the smartphone market is emerging day by day, so there is a strong possibility of entrance of new competitors. Threat of business depends on whether the domination or uniqueness of new entrant is going to be high or
• • The apple watch has popularised the market of smartwatches which is something companies like Samsung could not do. This is due to the clever marketing strategies of apple, and in turn gives them an upper hand in the smartwatch market as they are the centre of attention. • Apple can use its advantages in the smart watches in order to shift towards a new market of bio-technological gadgets. The development of the bio-sensors in the apple watch could provide a gateway for development into another market. Weaknesses
4.0 Recommendation to Improve Management of the Macro Environment of Apple Dominating the various manufacturers that Apple serves in while at the same time getting a respectable profit for the shareholders and contributing to the improvement of the guild at large is Apple’s main aim. Referable to the nature of the industry, Apple thus needs to adopt effective recommendations that will insure long term sustainability and improve the macro environment of the organisation.
End’s already working formula. • Second benchmark is the Apple Company. Reason is simply because it’s been one of the 21st century’s most successful companies. Especially during the recent world recession; apple was still able to push substantial merchandise into the market. Apple’s marketing strategy and Customer relation can be incorporated into Land’s End for better productivity and customer satisfaction which will in turn increase profits.
It may lead to permission for private investments and FDI in multi brand retail as well. It would exponentially increase the competition allowing Walmart, Target and Alibaba to enter the retail market space. The present political situation is a major boost for the industry and if sustained would act as a positive factor for the businesses. Economic: For the past decade, the overall disposable income has been on the rise.
Apple states in their Form K-10 Report (2017, p.1) they are “committed to bringing the best user experience to its customers through innovative hardware, software and services.” In an Industry where profit margins are low, technologies are constantly evolving and competition is high it is essential that Apple continues to offer innovative and simple products that increases customer experience (Heracleous, 2013) so to maintain a competitive advantage. A variety of tools have been used to evaluate Apple’s external and internal environment, including the PESTEL (Appendix 1), Porter’s Five Forces Analysis (Appendix 2), SWOT (Appendix 3). It is envisaged that the information derived from these tools and the associated analysis will support Apple’s CEO to make strategic decisions that addresses the challenges ahead in the short term, ensuring Apple can be competitive in the long term (Rothaermal, 2017).
This analysis also includes determining whether the competitive advantage will last for the long haul (Jubak, 2014). The strategies that the company implements should also correlate with the competitive advantage that the firm has in the market. Apple had a different concept about personal computers and their future. This is what catapulted the company to the front of the pack leaving behemoth companies such as IBM trailing behind. In addition, the company ensured that it curved a niche for itself in the market.
During the past decade, Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target three retail giants generate a combined sale of $123 billion (External Analysis Wal-Mart 2015). The success of the retail industry contributes largely to the advancements of science and technology and reduced costs. In the future, the success of Wal-Mart still relies on consumers’ concerns for value shopping and saving money. The company should pay close attention to the needs of customers and provide high-value and low-price products for consumers. Industry environment analysis includes five aspects: threat of new entrants, power of suppliers, inter-firm rivalry, power of buyers and threat of substitutes.
Marketing plan Is important to the company because it is mainly focused on success, and that lack of a marketing plan will lose the company a lot of money Samsung is characterized by a variety of production areas where it applied its Samsung has pursued multiple ways of selling and marketing its electronic products because it aspires to excellence and development in technology and continues to sell according to customer taste. First, (Understanding the Market) Samsung went to the electronic field when it noticed that the market needed electronic devices. Secondly, I looked at (selling) Samsung realized what the market needs and the quality of its service to consumers. Now it has 25 production centers and 59 sales branches.
Investors in Wal-Mart were aware of the obstacles that the giant retailer would face due to the changing consumer preferences and behaviors. However, the financial reports showcased that its online strategy was successful. At the end of the second quarter in 2017, Wal-Mart reported revenue of $123.4 billion, which was an increment of about 2.1% over the previous year quarter. There was also an increase in comparable sales by 1.8% year over year. Wal-Mart has significantly focused on structuring its online sales, while using its already well-established brick and mortar stores and excellent supply chain and logistics to its big advantage.