Uk Retail Grocery Case Study

1. By referring to the case study, map out the strategic pathways adopted by ASDA, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose and highlight the resources and competencies that helped each company to develop as an online grocery retailer.

The strategic pathways adopted by ASDA and their resources and competencies that helped them to develop as an online grocery retailer is:

1. Not pursuing internet retailing.

2. ASDA@home (an online shopping service) was launched selling a limited range of goods from only 32 stores.

3. Picking of goods was done in store

4. Built depots in key locations

5. Switched to supplying customers directly from their nearest participating store

6. Increase in online serviced provision

7. Improved customer service by increasing the number of delivery slots and product availability, as well as improving the sites usability

8. Geographically expand online retailing to more services and a larger market share

The strategic pathways adopted by Sainsbury's and their resources and competencies that helped them to develop as an online grocery retailer is:

1. No online presence

2. Wine Direct mail order service

3. Online services were launched and tried from seven stores

4. Online services were expanded to over 30 stores

5. Offered their channel not just as a shopping channel but also an informational channel

6. Launched business-to-business initiative aimed to reduce cost

7. Streamlined systems and improved product availability

8. Re-launched website to improve business-to-consumer solutions

9. Opened highly automated picking centre to serve customers in the M25 area

10. Created a joint venture with Carlton TV for an interactive shopping experience

11. Expanded online shopping service to cover 50% national coverage

12. Combined warehouse and in-store picking systems to expand coverage

13. Expansion of store based picking streamlined logistical cost and reduced the cost of order fulfillment

The strategic pathways adopted by Tesco and their resources and competencies that helped them to develop as an online grocery retailer is:

1. No online presence

2. Set out with a goal to be the world's biggest online grocery store

3. Launched online grocery store

4. Goal was met and Tesco offered a wide range of products to 90% of the UK

5. Online shopping service Tesco.com was launched to operate as an independent subsidiary and offer many non-food products

6. Developed a sophisticated semi-automated in-store picking service which was supported by local refrigerated delivery vans

7. Offered online shopping to 91% of the UK population using 300 of its stores to support operations

8. Developed specialized services for niche home markets

9. Continues focus on upgrading its technology in order to streamline services

10. Readjusted their service model to adjust for growth of Tesco.com by opening dedicated online warehouses in areas where only shopping was thriving

11. Diversified and expanded online portfolio

12. Developing Tesco Direct

The strategic pathways adopted by Waitrose and their resources and competencies that helped them to develop as an online grocery retailer is:

1. Office based ordering system

2. No online presence

3. Purchased an e-commerce grocery business to expand online services for consumer markets

4. Created new online brand Ocado a warehouse-based grocery shopping operation

5. Waitrose Deliver was introduced to offer online purchasing from 33 waitrose stores

6. Added more areas of service coverage

2. Discuss the extent to which Tesco has achieved a competitive advantage through superior IT resources.

Tesco achieved a competitive advantage through superior IT resources by:

* Promoted services by creating more access points for consumers to access