Report On Superdrug Essay example

Submitted By alinatimofte10
Words: 1714
Pages: 7
Open Document
LI0410
13026226

Report on Information Sources for Superdrug Stores PLC Company Profile

Alina Timofte
Northumbria University
12.05.2014

Table of contents:

1. Introduction………………………………………..3
2. Sources of intelligence…………………………..3
2.1. Intelligence online…………………………...3
3. Sources used in the company profile………......4 3.1. Databases for market reports……………...4 3.2. Databases for company news……………...5 3.3. Databases for financial data………………..5 3.4. The company’s website…………….……….6
4. Compiling the company profile…………………..6
5. Conclusion…………………………………………7
6. References………………………………………...8
7. Appendices…………………………………………9

1. Introduction:
According to Chris West (2001) “Competitive intelligence is the process by which companies inform themselves about every aspect of their rivals’ activities and performance.” Moreover, he also stated that “No battle can be fought without intelligence on the opposing forces.” and that “ In battle where lives are at stake it is essential to know the terrain over which the battle will be fought, who the enemy are, their mentality and the resources at their disposition. In obtaining all the previously mentioned intelligence there ought to be used a variety of sources and ways by the researcher. Hence, the purpose of this report is to justify the information sources used in compiling the company profile for Superdrug Stores PLC and also evaluate them in order to see which one provided the most useful intelligence.

2. Sources of intelligence:
Company intelligence can be obtained from a wide variety of sources. Some of the sources can be trusted and some of them may offer wrong information. Usually, primary sources are considered to be more reliable than secondary ones which are publicly available. At the same time, some sources are easy to access and for some others one needs to pay in order to get the information required. Usually, considerable amounts of information can be obtained from secondary sources such as the press, brochures, competitors’ website or online databases. However, the information received from secondary sources is partial rather than complete so it lacks the detail needed.

2.1. Intelligence online:
“The internet has revolutionised the search for information. Data that once took weeks to acquire can now be available at a few clicks of a mouse.”(West, 2001) Therefore, in compiling the company profile for Superdrug Stores PLC a wide number of online sources and search strategies were used and at the same time a few issues arose while using them. While the internet offers a great amount of information because the companies themselves put up websites with valuable intelligence for everybody to read, it also comes with a lot of problems that are time consuming and, not to mention that quality always comes before quantity. For this particular company profile some search engines were used in order to help locate the appropriate online databases which offer reliable intelligence.

3. Sources used in the company profile:
The main sources used for the Superdrug Stores Company profile were online databases which offer market reports, statistical information or business news. Some of the databases require subscription or membership fees which only means that they offer better quality information and more reliable as well. “A Web search may indeed provide you with articles from reputable publications and government documents, but it will also give you documents from special interest groups, student papers, individual opinions and carefully disguised opinions” (Dobson, 2004).

3.1. Databases for market reports:
When logging on to the library catalogue there are a number of online databases to choose from when looking for company intelligence and especially for market reports which are more detailed. For instance, a first choice when compiling the company profile for Superdrug Stores PLC was Key Note where the name of the company was found through a basic
Show More

Related Documents: Report On Superdrug Essay example

Explain The Main Employability, Personal And Communication Skills Required When Applying For A Specific Job Role

job role in your chosen organisation.In the first half of this assignment I will be describing the main employability, personal and communication skills required when applying for an assistant manager role within my chosen organization which is Superdrug. As a candidate, having the right set of skills in order to fulfil my role, will put me in a better position and by identifying the skills, this would establish sets of skills that are vital in the workplace or for an interview. Personal skills like…

Words 811 - Pages 4

Assignment 1 Essay

type of store and what retail function they perform Similarities to other types of stores Differences to the other stores. Finally you must now write a paragraph justifying WHY Tesco use so many different types of stores Evidence you will produce. Report Criteria covered by this task: P1 describe the structure and organisation of the retail sector M1 compare the function of formats and locations in retailing Sources of Information Textbooks Pearson, BTEC Level 3 Business, Book 2 Websites Start…

Words 3260 - Pages 14

business plan Essay example

FOUNDATION DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Total Tan Business Plan 4/25/2014 Total Tan is an independent company that designs innovative products to make the self fake tanning process as easy as possible. It is made up of a group of company of directors that between them have designed, financed and set up the total tan business model to effectively produce, market and sell self tanning applicator products. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the UK 41% of women use fake tanning products…

Words 5785 - Pages 24

Marketing and Marketing Communication Essay example

persuade, incite, and remind the customers of their products or services through different forms of media. It is an important aspect to business today. (Keller, K.L. 2011) This report will discuss the different forms of marketing communications as well as how it has changed through out the years. Furthermore, the report will look into a business called Boots Ltd. and further discuss its marketing communication and how that helps strengthen their competitive position in the marketing industry.…

Words 2411 - Pages 10

Essay Advertising and Ben Sherman

Executive Summary The following report forms the layout and approach of a launch campaign for the introduction of a new female hair care range by Ben Sherman in the UK. The research allows us to define the best method and approach to follow in terms of communicating with the target audience. The objectives outlined draw attention to the new haircare range of a matching shampoo and conditioner, while maintaining the honest brand appeal of Ben Sherman. An integrated media approach for the advertising…

Words 2224 - Pages 9

Assingments 2012-2013 Essays

ASSINGMENTS 2012-2013 Marketing Studies (1 year, Diploma) 1 BUSINESS ENGLISH Assignment 1 a) Luis St. Jean is a famous design house in France with annual sales of $1.2 billion in clothing, perfume, scarves, and other designer items. Each year it prepares more than 150 original designs for its seasonal collections. As head buyer for Cindy’s, an upscale women’s clothing store at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, you think you might like to start offering the LSJ’s line of perfume…

Words 4332 - Pages 18

Case Study Greenhealth Cranbery Merger Essay

UNIVERSITY at ESOFT Metro Campus, Sri Lanka Academic Year 2014-15 MN7127ES: Change Management and Consultancy Assessment 1: Individual Report Strategic Change Case Study: GreenHealth-Cranberry1 Merger ABSTARCT This report contains the analysis of the case study of merger process of two UK based parasitical companies, GreenHealth and Cranberry. This report discuss deep inside analysis of two companies during the pre-merger stage and post-merger stage. Balogun and Hope Hailey’s Change Kaleidoscope…

Words 3267 - Pages 14