Staples: PESTEL Analysis and Five Forces Model

Staples PESTEL epitome and phoebe bird Forces ModelStaples Inc., a US based exp unriv exclusivelyednt products smart set, has been chosen for this report which carries out an depth psychology of the troupe and its subordinate offer a range of short letter supplies, tune machines, engine room products, office furniture, and demarcation gains with about 91,000 employees. Founded by tom turkey Stemberg, Staples rendered the worlds first office confer super cut in in the Brighton popu late(a)hood of expectant of Massachusetts in 1986. In 1989, Staples made an initial public offering (IPO) of $36 trillion and launched its catalog deliin truth service, Staples Direct. In three years time, Staples went for diversifying its portfolio and acquired 42% ownership in personal credit line Depot, a Canadian participation, in 1993 and the near year the companionship took over Business Depot with 100% stake. Later, Staples buyd its European partner Kingfisher and Maxi-Papier in 1 996. In the akin year, the participation became a constituent 500 conjunction (Datamonitor, 2010). The strong offshoot in r stillue is attri besidesed to the hamper of unified render, whose r all the sameues be included in the comp anys Financial yr.On its prospering venture, Staples signed a marketing agreement with Yahoo and became an office supply merchant on Yahoo venial logical argument portal in 2000. In the consecutive year, the company entered into an agreement with an online legal resource for consumers and footling businesses, MyCounsel.com, and with ePolicy.com Insurance Services. Staples has been in truth successful in expanding its world colossal trading operations even in the Asian markets. In this continuation, the company entered the $10 billion office products market in India by means of and through a joint venture with Pantaloon retail in 2007, and its spick-and-span office products business unit, Future pip. The very adjacent year, Staples opene d its Copy Print Shop, a new store set in New York City, designed to meet customers copy and print needs. During the same year, the company opened its first store in Houston, Texas. Very recently, Staples favour launched the Staples Technology Solutions in February 2010 which offers business customers from nice and medium-sized businesses to Fortune 1000 corporations, admission charge to a full range of offerings from selective information center solutions and printer slip by man come alongment services to net go services and bothday desktop technology products (Datamonitor, 2010).Task 1 Review and determine the organizational strategicalalal aims and objectives1.1 strategic aims and objectivesThe strategic aim of a company is a broad didactics of the strategic outcomes which it plans to achieve. At times the strategic aim of a company is also called company goals. The strategic aim is what the organization wants to accomplish (Chartered heed Institute, 2009). According ly, the aim of Staples is to be an employer and neighbor of choice, to differentiate its brand, to grow geltably and responsibly, wait out its business activities ethically, work in a sustainable manner, surpass job skills and education opportunities to its employees, leverage diversity, create sustainable alternate in its local communities. The aim of Staples is be a committed company that shows its duty to the surround, practices diversity and be an ethical company. It wants to be a global in its operations and grow financially. It wants to be a great employer, somatic citizen and neighbor (Staples, 2007).According to Chartered Management Institute (2009), the strategic objectives of a company argon the specific outcomes and atomic number 18 most often quantified. Objectives be the aims of the company which ar broken down and are more than concrete. Particularly, the strategic objectives of Staples are (a) to make it well-situated for customers to recycle eWaste, (b) to build greener buildings, (c) to donate $15 billion to community related projects, (d) to deepen commission to environmentally responsible products, (e) to incline 500 U.S. retail stores to the ENERGY STAR standard for retail store standard for energy competent accomplishment by the end of 2011, (f) to hold venture $10 million in constitutes through energy saving programs in the U.S. by the end of 2011 (Staples, 2007).Staples objectives bring home the bacon the SMART criteria as they are clearly written. They are measurable as the Compensation Committee mea certainly outes the result to which Staples achieves these objectives. They are achievable as Staples analyses the resources it has before setting them. They are possible as the company has analyzed the skills it posses before setting them. Staples has also come up these objectives with its long-term vision. Staples objectives are time-bound as the company sets the time racing shells by which it has to achieve these objectives (Staples, 2007).1.2 Components of strategic planThe components of the strategic plan include a companys mission, vision, pass judgments, its objectives, its strengths, light(a)nesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT), its action planning, executing process and how it measures and evaluates the work of its objectives (Friel, 2009).Mission statement The mission statement of Staples is very clear and states their motive in fol pocket-sizeding few linesStaples Soul reflects commitment to incorporate responsibility what moves us to embrace diversity, sustain the environment, give O.K. to our communities, and practice sound ethics. L signing these values with our global business scheme and operations contributes to our financial success and helps us become a great employer, corporate citizen, and neighbor (Staples, 2007).Vision statement Staples vision statement elaborates responsible outlooks of company in this wayStaples corporate brain is centered on a rock solid b elief in social responsibility and the proclivity to make a positive impact on our associates, customers, and the world. We act responsibly and with integrity, conducting our global business as a great employer, corporate citizen and neighbor. Staples soul thrives in the fair treatment of our diverse and talented associates, in our environmental conscience, in giving back to our communities and in our sound business ethics(Staples, 2010). abide by Statement Staples aims at greater value to its customers because its productivity, revenues are as high school as customer felicity and goodwill.Staples gets higher quality consumer data from its electronic procural system, lower costs due to lower living/customer service/and ordering costs, ability to lock in customers through dependency on their ordering system (switching costs), larger product offering of 80k items, and differentiation of services from its competitors. (Staples 2010a).Considering New York, Staples is celebrating it s 20th anniversary with $16 billion in revenue, 11 percent compounded growth and 1,780 stores in 21 countries. According to the CEO of Staples, consumer electronics is a big part of our business and has been one of the most rapidly growing categories, therefore main forces lies upon these goods. (Staples, 2010). Staples is taking growth in its business and concords its position in the market. In particular, office supplies and ink cartridges, signify 40 percent of the retail mix, along with notebook computers spark advance the sector in enhanced growth rate. Miles recognize that get out alliance merchandising of more returnable products like cables and ink is much better corporate strategy rather therefore selling individual items. have it off Care Plans, Attachments which include variety of neglects according to nature of product is major present strategy of Staples to maximize get, on former(a)wise hand the corporate looks forward to target maximum markets along with wi de range of brands and generating staples compatible versions of these brands (Staples, 2010).Finally, Staples measures and evaluates the motion of its aims and objectives through the Compensation Committee. Some 90 days subsequently the beginning of the fiscal year, the Compensation Committee establishes goals and objectives for that fiscal year. The responsibility for the achievement of these goals and objectives rests with the Compensation Committee (Staples, 2009).1.3 Factors affecting the strategic planThe strategy of Staples is touched by the immaterial environment. Staples external environment includes political, economic, social and technological factors that notify impacts on its strategy. Staples strategic plan is affected by its ingrained environment. Staples inseparable environment includes its competitors, customers, suppliers, its Board of Directors (BoD), its corporate culture and its employees. Staples capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and thre ats also affect its strategic plan. Staples strategic plan is affected by the nature and kind of products and service it provides to its customers, its target customers, the market it serves, the degree of innovation it practices and how it faces the challenges that affect its operations (Bracken, 2006).The factors highlighted in the SWOT abstract affect Staples strategic plan.Staples Inc SWOT(S)trengthsStaples Inc is a office product company which operates in three segments delivery, retail and outside(a) segment. dapple the operations of delivery and retail segments are concentrated in the US and Canada, the international segment has its operations worldwide covering 23 new(prenominal) countries. The company has its strength in its international segment, which contributes to almost 22% of the companys revenue. Staples record higher comparable store sales growth (comp growth), for more than a year, than its close competitors as Office Depot and OfficeMax. Operating margin, whic h represents income as a percentage of sales, of Staples has witnessed an increase for the first time in Q1 of 2010 since Q3 of 2007. The acquisition of incarnate Express enhanced Stapless position in several fronts. The addition of Corporate Express expanded the companys offerings into new areas and enhanced the offerings in existing areas (Datamonitor, 2010).(W)eaknessesThe pileus structure of Staples consists of debt which has increased by close to 27% in FY2010 compared to FY2009. The company has long-term debt and debt service requirements with $500 million 7.75% notes due in April 2011, $325 million 7.375% notes due in October 2012 and $1.5 billion 9.75% notes due in January 2014 (Datamonitor, 2010).(O)pportunitiesStaples is successfully acquire the average order size up in the Corporate Express delivery business, despite the economic backdrop and it is now around $180, up from $160 at the time of the acquisition. In addition to direct selling and retail stores, Staples gen erates revenues through the internet on its web portal. The mathematical operation of Staples Business Delivery and North Ameri undersurface Retail stores is dependent on the performance of the small business segment in the US (Datamonitor, 2010).(T)hreatsStrong kin exists between macro trends and office sales. Office product companies are late cycle plays. For most corporations, office products fall under General politics expenses. Other than small and large businesses, Staples also serves white-collar workers. The level of physical exertion among white-collar workers, the end-users for Staples, has an impact on the demand for office products. The economic shoes in China and Europe continue to be a elbow grease of concern as it would have direct impact on the favourableness of Staples.The unemployment rate in China has been on a sequential rise. From, 4% in Q32008, the unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in Q22009 and continued at that level till January 2010 (Datamonitor, 2010). In addition to SWOT analysis, the factors highlighted in the PESTEL and Porters Five Forces amaze are follow out as analytical tools to achieve a more complete understanding of the strategic aims and objectives.PESTEL Analysis for Staples IncPolitical Factors Considering the political formula of Staples Inc, the most prominent areas are stated below. As Staples manufactures goods in china, the acclivitous fuel costs due to political factors effects supply orbit of Staples forcing to increase its product equipment casualtys and therefore, effecting customers and profitability. However, on the other side, the ongoing practice of value fixing amongst the big four retailers within the UK whoremonger have slightly negative impact to the exertion in general and Staples in particular. Staples monopolistic nature in office supplies has created deep concerns among its customers. Staples is the most popular among the students who defile laptops, printers and other student accessor ies, but due to political crop and moorage down student inflow in England, staples is pass judgment to see descend in wage. Beside that, in the UK, the Government is to decrease the rate of corporation measure from 30% to 28%, which will save big companies like Staples epoch-making sums of money (Staples, 2011).Economic Factors Considering the economic factors of the staples, the following areas are identified. Recession lead higher numbers of unemployment. As one of the largest and fastest growing retailers, Staples can provide more jobs therefore helping to reduce the levels of unemployment. Recession whitethorn also effect the profit margins of the company, as it decrease the purchasing indicant of consumers and though they will still buy the essentials they may be more cautious. They might avoid buying the luxury items, something that has a greater profit margin for Staples. Online buying competition within every segment of the retail sector has lead to retailers giving a lot of incentives to the consumers. Which last affects Staples profit levels as the prices have to be brought down to meet competition. Increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 17.5% has created negative impact on profits as Staples was unable to increase prices to cover the profits (Staples, 2007).Social Factors Staples appears to be committed to environmental factors as the below mentioned lines states positive about the company behavior. Environmental stewardship and maintainable business practices continue to be important aspect at Staples. The company is offering products and services to help customers preserve cancel resources and reduce their environmental footprint. The major commitment to the environment is in the purchase and promotion of products having post-consumer recycled actuals recycling initiatives energy conservation and renewable power procurement and environmental education initiatives for customers and associates. Staples Inc has implement a variety of programs to make it easy for customers to recycle. The recycling facilities by Staples regarding ink and toner cartridges in the US, UK and Canada, helps to benefit the local schools through Staples Recycle for Education, a program that donates $1 to public education charities and schools for every eligible used cartridge that is recycled at more than 1,200 Staples stores. The company is considering the new ways to recycle the products to utilize the minimum energy and maximize the pencil eraser of environment, which helps to preserve the economys need of power generating resources. Staples belongings in consideration Humanity, Donated wide sum of money to Haiti victims in collaboration of Red cress lodge and any one who desires to donate can easily donate in any Staples store (Staples, 2011).Technological Factors For the convenience of consumer, Staples also introduces the self confirmation machines, employed by Staples in USA, which can help solve line up up problem. Radi o Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology is used in Staples which significantly benefits to the supply arrange of Staples. This technology leads more efficient inventory handling. Staples uses advance machines to manufacture its brands and compatible ones which assure quality satisfaction (Staples, 2011).Environmental Factors A lot of emphasis of Staples has been on the role of step-down carbon footprint and increasing energy efficacy. Staples are a multicultural organization where proper career planning of all associates is carried out without any racism or cultural issues. Staples Foundation for Learning sponsored a take into account in 2004 to Earth Force, an organization which provides teachers an innovative multi-disciplinary curriculum focused on environmental education for middle school students (Staples, 2011).Legal Factors Staples strictly follow all environmental regulations and promotes environmental education. Staples strictly follows police regulations re garding selling of knives, scissors, glues which must not be sold to children under 21 years of age (Staples, 2011).Porters Five Forces AnalysisPorters (1985) Five Force Analysis deals with factors outside an industry that influence the nature of competition within it, the forces that influence the way in which firms compete, therefore industrys possible profitability is conducted in Porters Five Forces model. Every business must understand the activities of its industries and markets in order to compete effectively in the marketplace. (peerpapers.com)Staples Inc Five Forces AnalysisThe business of Staples Inc can be suited into the Five Forces analysis as followsCompetitive RivalryOffice-max, Office-Depot, Currys, are major Competitors in market.Online buying installment and online stores. pure shops in Universities.Switching Cost for Staples is very high.Staples manufactures and sells variety of office accessories, which many rivals dont.Threat of New EntrySmall shops are openin g in universitiesStaples manufactures and sell its own brands, with minimum cost.Staples Recycles material in its manufacturing premises with less cost.Threat of SubstitutionStaples Specializes in eccentric and multiple brands with wide range of products.Staples manufacture many compatibles of brands such as Epson, Lexmark and cannon Cartages.Brand loyalty of customers due to low price purchaser caterStaples Manufactures its own products at cheap rates.Facilities such as in-store NUS discount and special offersLess Switching power to buyerCustomer Doesnt hunch forward production cost of products.Products are of strategic importance to customersSupplier PowerStaples Manufactures and supplies to its stores on its own.Less supplier power available in transfer of supplier.Switching cost from one to another supplier is low mention Staples (2011, 2007, 2010)Task 2 Identify and analyze progress towards organizational strategic aims and objectives2.1 Application of strategic analysis to olsStaples can monitor progress towards achievement of its strategic aims and objectives by using the Balanced S essencecard (BSC) approach. BSC was first proposed by Norton and Kaplan (1996) who claim that it helps the company translate its strategy into measurable actions. Therefore, McCarthy and Chapman (2009) describe BSC as a strategic planning and management system used to align business activities to the vision statement of an organization. It can measure a groups performance on four perspectives such as financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business process perspective and learning and growth perspective.2.2 Review and assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence upon the organizational strategyStakeholder analysis is used to reappraisal and assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence on organizational strategy. Stakeholder analysis is a methodology used to facilitate policy and ameliorate processes by keeping in cons ideration the needs of those who have a stake or an interest in the reforms. With information on Stakeholders, their interests, and their capacity to oppose reform, reform advocates can choose how to best adjust them, thus making sure that policies adopted are politically realistic and sustainable (Johnson et al, 2008).Stakeholder Impact Analysis for Staples IncStaples stakeholders are its personaholders, employees, customers, suppliers, investors and the government. Each Stake holder show sincere kin with staples. This is further elaborated as followsShareholders There sincere relationship even during recession unplowed the company standing while many other superstores couldnt bear it.Employees All company employees are dedicate to there work and it is due to there friendly environment which keeps them motivated to generate profits for company rather then making unions and creating problems.Customer Customers are dedicated to staples brand due to cheep product and reliability, t herefore company generates capacious revenues each year.Investors All brands rely upon staples. From Technology to office supplies variety of brands can be seen. All investors trust upon staples policies and future growth.Environmentalist Staples promotes environmental knowingness among people, therefore it is never objected by environmentalists.Government Staples generates huge revenue therefore provides huge tax amounts, which gives government shelter to Staples.2.3 Analyze, interpret and produce a structured rating of the organizational strategic position strategical electrical capacity analysis is used to analyze, interpret and produce a structured evaluation of Staples strategic position.Staples Resource and Competence AnalysisIt is the analysis of competencies, knowledge, and skills that Staples Inc can apply to achieve success in a private-enterprise(a) environment. This concept is derived from the core competencies approach to corporate strategy. This will encompass the need to adjust and change in order to fit the changing environment and the need to vitiate to exploit organizational resources in ways that are innovative, or that other organizations will find it hard to compete.Strategic CapabilityWays to induce on the Competency/ResourceCompetencesCore CompetenciesManufacturing readiness.stigmatisation and Expansion.World wide Stores and access.Transforming its Supply Chain.Cheap productionThreshold CompetenciesCustomer satisfaction and valueCustomer service, online and offline.ResourcesUnique ResourcesCheep productionI.T. use for inventory management. explore and development.Wide range of brands.Threshold ResourcesIT outsourcingProduction in china at low costStaples Inc recognizes that it has to find new ways to drive sustainable growth and profitability. The area of major attention is that Staples has been improving its supply chain management activities. Staples goal was to widen its lead over competitors in all key industry areas, by impro ving supply chain execution, and thereby decreasing costs while increasing productivity and reliability and ensuring that customers could evermore find products they wanted on store shelves. Manufacturing products and differentiated product are the key core competencies of Staples.Task 3 Determination and Evaluate of Strategic Options3.1 Identification and development of strategic fillingsInternal Environmental Analysis found on the internal environmental analysis (SWOT analysis) of Staples, it appears that the company has unique competencies in office supplies business. Staples manufacturing competency, multiple retail channels and strong distribution net target different customer segments efficiently. Whereas threat of new entrants in figure of small stores at key areas and online buying trend from cheep online stores are major threat to staples.External Environmental AnalysisFurthermore the external environmental analysis (PESTEL analysis) for Staples shows that increase in V AT, reducing inflow of international students and credit crunch and Porters Five Force analysis showing increasing threat of new entrants in shape of small shops in universities and local areas and increase in online buying trend with cheaper price along with stakeholders analysis reflecting total dependence upon employees and customers are weak aspects of Staples.Suggested Corporate Strategy for StaplesBeside that the above analyses, since Staples produces goods at competitively low-cost and has operations worldwide, propose that Staples should adopt Cost Leadership strategy of Porters Generic Strategies.Rationalization of Cost-Leadership as the Corporate StrategyCost- lead strategy emphasizes efficiency which is based on avoiding unnecessary or non-value adding activities that consume organizational resources but cannot add any value for which customers are willing to pay. Along with this philosophy, economies of scale is the guiding policy for implementing cost-leadership strateg y as it requires the company to produce items at the lowest possible cost among all competitors of the similar products. By producing high volumes of standardized products, the firm will take advantage of economies of scale and run across learning curve effects. Since products are produced at a relatively low cost and made available to a very large customer base, along with access to knifelike materials, components, labor, and other important inputs, cost leadership approach is most suitable for Staples. Successful implementation of this approach is expected because of Staples following capabilitiesGood process engineering skill system of Staples.Office Supplies products designed for ease of manufactureSustained access to cost-effective capitalGood and close supervision of laborStaples tight cost obligateIncentives based on quantitative targetsAlways ensuring that the costs are kept at the minimum possible level.3.2 Determine and justify the strategic optionThe above new corporat e strategy for Staples can be implemented by carrying out the operable strategies discussed below.Functional StrategySince there are other rivals in the market, however, their concentration is focused upon food, clothes, and other products rather then office supplies, therefore Staples has acquired major position in market. Consequently, the corporate strategy of cost- leadership must be remained focused and maintained. Staples should adopt following functional strategies for its relevant departments in order to implement this corporate strategy of cost leadershipResearch and Development for minimizing costs. (RD Department)Online Selling, Marketing, maintaining goodwill and customer service (Marketing Department).Branding and elaboration (Purchase Department)Functional Strategy Research and Development for minimizing costsStaples manufactures in China where cost of production isrelatively low due to availability of cheaper raw materials and labor, while on the other hand, Staples needs to concentrate on question and development facility to minimize cost at such a level where rivalry influence can be easily coped, if required. put to death PlansPerformance Indicators1)Exploring more countries for much cheaper production.(During one year period) flake of countries found, analyse production costs with current product costs.2)Opening production facility to produce raw material for finished goods.(During Two Year Period) phone number of Factories established.Functional StrategyOnline Selling, Mraketing, maintaining goodwill and customer service.Staples should advertiseits online buying facility to students and offices. In addition, maintaining good customer service is essential to keep Staples goodwill full and even stronger. This will eliminate rivalry influence and help maintain cost leadership and monopolistic influence.Action PlansPerformance Indicators1)Awareness Campaigns in universities, offices and exhibitions that Staples provide cheep and quality pro ducts.(During 6month period)Number of Campaigns launched, customer feed back and sales figures.2)Participation in Community and social projects.(During Two Year Period).Number of Projects undertaken.Functional StrategyBranding and expansionStaples must open stores all over the world to maintain its influence, adding more brands will settle with customers as they can find everything under one roof. This will ultimately make Staples a popular brand and its cost leadership influence will be enhanced.Action PlansPerformance Indicators1)Expanding brands and producing its compatible ones.(During 6month period)Numbers of brands added in Staples and its compatibles.2)Opening Stores in major parts of world.(During 2 years Period)Number of Stores opened worldwide.3)Opening Small shops and stores in universities and offices will remove small rivals from market.(During 1 year Period)Number of small shops and stores opened in these places.Staples Inc, for its manufacturing capability and unique products, can easily integrate in various(a) cities of the world. With expansion and branding it can obtain huge amount of market share thus eliminating rivalry influence. With its skilled RD Department, Staples can manufacture compatible goods for various brands at cheap rates. They have got a great management team with motivated team work and great leadership style. This differentiates Staples as a unique store which not only provides eco-friendly products but possess a good reputation among its customers. It must focus upon its vision, mission and values in order to maintain such reputation.ConclusionThe strategic analysis of Staples Inc., reveals that it has been enjoying a very well is a well established company which is cognise for providing quality products to its customers. By careful consideration of its external and internal environment and keeping in mind the interests of its stakeholders, it has been able to establish itself as a leader in the office supplies business . Staples is competent in carrying out its business activities. It is recommended that it applies the new corporate strategy highlighted in this report to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace for a long sustainable period.