Project Report on Contemporary Strategic Management Practices in Retail Industry

Evaluate supply chain management and information systems applicable to the retail sector.

Analyse financial management and planning in the retail industry.

Explore and appraise industry-related employee management.

You are a Business Consultant at a reputable firm in Auckland. Your client who is an Auckland retailer and store manager of a single branch/outlet wishes to grow and develop the business using up-to date industry best practices. As the business consultant, you have been asked to compile a detailed report on the status of the business practices.

Your client has confirmed that the current main management challenge in the retail store relates to human resource management. This challenge includes a high rate of staff turnover, reported low motivation and a general low morale amongst staff. Your client further confirmed a decision of top management to reduce budgets on staff training due to the issue of the high staff turnover. The store manager however confirmed the senior management team is currently considering the opportunity of investing in a new information system.

You have analysed the recent financial statements of the retail store and noticed a decline in net profit, lower spending by the organisation in social media with a top-heavy hierarchical structure. The retailer is currently referring all employee recruitment functions to an agency, however it is reported that the agency was unable to provide enough seasonal staff over the Christmas periods of the past two years.

Your client has a high academic inclination and has requested that all the information in this report should be supported by sound academic reference.

Your client also allows you to spend a month on the premises of the store to conduct research and facilitate staff meetings. This will provide you with an opportunity to understand the reasons behind the reported low staff morale.

In relation to the above challenges, you will cover the basic aspects of contemporary strategic management in the retail industry and also focus on the importance of marketing communication. You will furthermore evaluate staff training and supply chain management. It is also important to evaluate the available information systems currently used by your client.

Your accurate interpretation and communication on the research conducted would not only impress your manager but also support your client to understand the employee challenges faced in the retail industry. Your recommendations will serve as a solution to your client’s challenges as you will provide your client with valuable strategic information.

Please read the marking rubric and section instructions carefully and ensure that you display all required elements of your research and recommendations (with clear application to the retail business) in detail with proper APA 6th ed. referencing (citations and end referencing).

If available information directly related to your client is inadequate or non-existing, you are required to state it clearly in the applicable section. In such a case, you are required to create/design the information to fit the business of your client and support your recommendations with academic support.

If available information is adequate and reliable for any section, you are required to evaluate the contents and make recommendations for possible changes based on academic referencing. Include professional and relevant resources to support your research such as charts, graphs, a budget, photos, diagrams, well formatted shortened plans and other documents as applicable.

Depending on the organisation of your choice to be your client in this assessment, it may imply that the store manager needs to report your findings and recommendations to the group manager and top management or the broader organisation. Take this situation into account when addressing issues and making statements.