Q1 (A) Strategic Management in Retail Provide a short but critical evaluation on contemporary strategic management requirements in the retail industry as an introduction and acknowledgement of challenges faced by the industry.

(B) Industry Marketing Communication Briefly analyse and critique the importance of industryspecific marketing communication applicable to your retail client with a strong focus on: ‘How and why employees should be involved in any such marketing communication’. Provide at least one (1) example in the analysis.

(C) Financial Management Briefly analyse financial management and planning applicable to your retail client in relation to employee costs. Provide at least one (1) example in the analysis. LO4

(D)Organisational Structure for Store Management Describe the existing organisational structure of your client with a supporting organisational chart.

Recommendations to Improve on Above Recommend at least two (2) ways on how your retail client could improve this structure to support organisational effectiveness.

Q.2 (A)Job Application and Recruitment Practices Briefly describe the current and prevailing job application and recruitment practices at your client. Compare and contrast the findings against general industry approaches to application and recruitment procedures and best practices in the retail sector.

Recommendations to Improve on Above Current Practices Recommend at least three (3) ways on how your retail client could improve to support resolving this existing HR challenge.

(B)Seasonal Staff Demand Briefly describe seasonal staff demand in the retail sector and discuss the impacts thereof on your retail client. Briefly discuss the current practices of your retail client to satisfy this demand.

Recommendations to Improve on Above Current Practices Recommend at least three (3) ways on how your retail client could improve to support resolving this existing HR challenge.

(C)Staff Training Briefly discuss the importance of staff training in the retail sector. Briefly describe current training opportunities and procedures for staff at your retail client.

Recommendations to Improve on Current Practices in Staff Training Recommend at least three (3) ways on how your retail client could improve (including what benefits it may hold) to support resolving this existing HR challenge.

(D) Staff Motivation and High Staff Turnover Briefly discuss the reasons for high staff turnover in the retail sector. Then contrast/compare to the existing reasons for staff turnover at your retail client. Include any reasons why the staff may have a low morale and low motivation. Note: if you are unable to obtain the percentage turnover rate for your retail client, assume a figure of 40%. This will allow you benchmark your retail client with retail industry standards.

Recommendations to Improve on Current Practices Regarding High Staff Turnover Recommend at least three (3) ways on how the retailer could improve (including what benefits it may hold) to support resolving this existing HR challenge.

Q.3 Supply Chain Management and Information Systems After talking to staff, one of the things that was apparent was stock/inventory mangement and a poor information system inside the organisation. You job as the consultant is to provide a clear evaluation on how an improved information management system will contribute to organisational effectiveness. Explicitly discuss and evaluate the features and benefits and functions of a modern retail management information system. Provide at least one (1) example in the evaluation.