Marketing Audit Approach - IKEA
Marketing Audit Overview
“What is a marketing audit? Quite simply, it is a detailed analysis of the elements that constitute or influence a company’s efforts to profitably market its products- today and in future when both market and products may undergo radical change” ( John, Alexander, & Theodore, 1969). The marketing audit helps to understand the fundamentals of a company’s marketing planning process. Auditing is not only conducted not only at the planning stage and also conducted during various stages until the implementation of the marketing plan.
Organization The selected organization for the marketing Audit is IKEA Group. As part Phoenix University marketing course, the author of this
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Product – In terms of product, the author will perform an analysis among the IKEA competitors and identify whether this product line is appropriate or not. Is this product line serves the customer expectations? In addition, the author will provide recommendations on the changes should be made in how the products are being handled where applicable and necessary.
Price – In terms of price, the author will analyze IKEA’s pricing strategy to see what kind of pricing strategy IKEA uses such as premium pricing or economy pricing, promotional pricing or value pricing? IKEA always attempts to provide low prices. The author will analyze the pricing strategy using links available at IKEA student webpage (How IKEA creates its low prices, IKEA products are manufactured all over the world) and will provide an overview on how IKEA is able to achieve low prices.
Place – This section of the document will evaluate IKEA’s distribution process and the effectiveness of the process. The data will be collected from IKEA’s student website (Distribution – from supplier to store). The analysis will include the distribution of products for store sales and internet sales.
Promotion - In terms of promotion, IKEA follows a marketing mix. The data for this analysis is available in the student info website. Although the funding information is not readily available in student website, the information can be gathered from
* IKEA’s low cost structure has been the very core of its success. It’s low-cost and high-quality strategy fits with the current state of the economy. Offering convenience factors within IKEA’s stores would fit well with IKEA’s low cost structure. It maintains its low-cost business model by creating a different furniture shopping experience. IKEA supplies customers with all possible materials needed to complete their shopping when they enter the store (that are, measuring
As explained in the “bargaining power of consumers”, it is hard to substitute the products that are offered by IKEA. This is further intensified by the fact that IKEA has formed a brand perception that makes it stand out amongst its
This paper aims to demonstrate a detailed description of the elements of ‘IKEA’ company based on its famous name in the furniture industry.
The services and products offered by IKEA provide value to its customers in various ways. For one, the products and services are very affordable. The products and services are not priced highly and therefore, the average customer can enjoy them. At the same time, the products are of high quality. From IKEA’s slogan “low prices but not at any price”, it is clear that the company prices its products lowly but that does not mean that the quality is compromised. IKEA satisfying its customer’s needs through providing them value for their money as they provide quality products that will last for a long time, and at affordable costs. The fact that the company has set the minimum acceptable standards for its wood, implies that it is also keen on quality and on the environmental impact of its action of making furniture ( Edvardsson, Enquist & Hay, 2006).
A marketing audit is a function, in the context of management operations, by which the assessment of the implementation of strategic marketing at tactical level is attempted. The application of marketing audit results in testing the compatibility and comparability of the objectives, sought to be implemented within the marketing strategy, with measurable targets which are achieved in reality. This can be implemented through the presentation and analysis of results in different areas of business operation which affect the application of marketing throughout the company. Thus, a marketing audit is implemented in the following areas:
IKEA is rumored to be a very standardized retailer, i.e., a certain set of marketing strategies is used that are the same around the world. This indeed sets IKEA, operating on markets in Europe, US as well as Asia and Australia, apart among international retailers. Often the theoretical conclusions in international
IKEA is a worldwide expanded company. They enlarge their showrooms to North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Customers can check out IKEA’s product in the show rooms and also by checking out IKEA’s websites to get their selected products to be home delivered. This is an effective way of selling their products as customers who are busy with their own work can purchase their preferred
IKEA is the largest furniture chain in the world, and in 2011 the Swedish company operated over 270 stores in 25 countries. In 2011 IKEA sales soared to over $35 billion, or over 20% of the global furniture market. Most of its stuffs believed IKEA will massive growth throughout the world in the coming decade because IKEA could provide what customer wanted: good design, and good made contemporary furniture with an affordable price. In one word, IKEA’s global approach focuses on simplicity, attention to detail, cost consciousness, and responsiveness in every aspect of its operations and behavior. (Jones, 2013)
The stores have restaurant, childcare facilities and plenty of parking. Customers can drop off their kids at the playroom and have delicious meal when they are tired. All of these not only provide customer with a comfortable shopping environment but also let them make an ‘IKEA trip’ and enjoy the fun of buying. Besides, IKEA’s distinctive show rooms help creating differentiation. Products are strategically placed in different small spaces like rooms which allow customers imaging this furniture in their own home. This makes everything looks more attractive.
The IKEA Group, one of the world’s top furniture retailers, has emerged as the fastest-growing furniture retailer in the US. Its unique business strategy has given it its strengths for its success today. However, like all strategies, IKEA’s strategy has its own flaws that can pose as weaknesses. IKEA also has a lot of opportunities in the marketplace such as expansions of their company and threats such as competitors in the same industry.
Based in Denmark, IKEA International A/S is one of the world 's top retailers of furniture, home furnishings, and housewares. The company designs its own items, and sells them in the more than 140 IKEA stores that are spread throughout approximately 30 different countries worldwide. The company also peddles its merchandise through mail-order, distributing its thick catalogs once a year in the areas surrounding its store locations. IKEA is characterized by its efforts to offer high-quality items at low prices. To save money for itself and its customers, the company buys items in bulk, ships and stores items unassembled using flat packaging, and has customers assemble many items on their own at home. The company is owned by
IKEA is a manufacturer of home and business furnishings who offer interior furnishing products to consumers in several countries across the globe. Before IKEA plans on expanding and entering any new market, they are required to obtain a clear understanding of what consumer behaviour and requirements are in that particular market. There are basically two types of Markets which include Consumer Market and Business Market.
At the outset, it may be useful to characterise IKEA in terms of the characteristics of demand (also known as the four Vs, see Slack et al. p 20). First, IKEA is clearly a high volume operation – as indeed most international retailers are – which lends to systematising operations but which implies capital intensive processes and therefore cost considerations will be crucial. Second, IKEA offers a large number of products (up to 14000 depending on the country/store) so there is high variety in the
IKEA’s strategy before the mishaps in America could be characterized as going against the norm charting their own path to success using low priced manufactures to secure lower selling prices aimed to target those who were of older age and of middle class standing. Their new strategy was to target those of a younger demographic, young married couples, college students, and 20-30 something singles. By reemphasizing design, promoting through hip quirky advertisements, and encouraging consumers to do away with their old furniture, IKEA revenues doubled in a four-year period. IKEA today has adapted somewhat of a local customization strategy where their store layouts will resemble that of many local household layouts as proven by their success in China where they failed to expand beforehand. They also keep their prices extremely low in some areas as China by sourcing a large percentage of products in the area of operation.
2. The reason of why distribution is such a key element of IKEA’s value chain.. 2