Retail Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Retail Marketing - Essay Example An underground ticket hall connects Kings Cross Underground Station to St Pancras International via the western concourse. Interchange from Kings Cross main line to St Pancras is on street level. The open, bright design, general cleanliness and high-end retail outlets of St Pancras International create a positive sense of arrival for passengers and have resulted in the station acting as a destination in its own right. Movement paths within the interchange facility are largely direct and clear with good sight lines and little clutter. Spatial management is good with mixed use spaces arranged to either side of movement spaces, decision points are relatively clear with minimal advertising or other distractions. Much of the station environment is step free with lifts, where needed, located on desire lines. A visible staff presence, combined with pedestrian and retail activity promotes a sense of safety and security. St Pancras International has a wide range of eateries available from fine dining in the St Pancras Grand to top notch nosh in traditional London gastro pub and fresh food on the go in many casual dining restaurants. St Pancras grant: The restaurant, created by Martin Brudnizki, the celebrated designer is a glamorous setting. There is an elegant Whiskey bar and stylish Oyster Bar which are for coffee meetings, pre-dinner drinks and informal dining. There is a graceful Betjeman room which offers private dining and is also perfect for business meetings.   Mirroring some of the great restaurants and bars from around the world, Head Chef, Chris Dines menus reflect the best of what is truly British, changing regularly in accordance with the seasons and availability of locally sourced produce. The wine list, artfully compiled to complement the food, will please the most discerning customer and has premium wines available by the glass and carafe. The Betjeman Arms is a fantastic gastro pub offering great british

VolksWagen Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

VolksWagen - Term Paper Example Volkswagen operates in more than 100 countries including Argentina, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, UAE, UK and USA (Volkswagen, 2013a). It has 43 plants worldwide that produce Volkswagen cars and/or components. It exports its models and sells through regional offices in countries where it does not produce. Value Chain Framework of Volkswagen Figure: Value Chain model by Michael Porter. Source: Institute for Manufacturing, n.d. Inbound Logistics. Volkswagen has developed an extensive network of local suppliers in all the countries where it operates manufacturing plants. It has its focus firmly on achieving cost efficiency, reducing time to market, regional economies of scale and flexibility in production (Volkswagen AG, 2010). Operations. Volkswagen has 43 plants worldwide that manufacture cars and/or components, as shown below. Figure: Volkswagen worldwide plants. Source: Volkswagen AG, 2013c ; Volkswagen AG, 20 13d. Outbound Logistics. The outbound logistics is handled by Volkswagen Logistics that ensures timely delivery of Volkswagen cars from the factories to the dealers. It is also responsible for international flow of all its models from all its plants by land, sea and air to all its regions. It manages 5 million vehicles per year (Ludwig, 2012). Marketing and Sales. The three key USPs on which it aims to differentiate its cars from competitors are being innovative, responsible and delivering long-lasting value. It has marketed its products as reliable, high-quality and German-engineered. It has a worldwide extensive dealer’s network that is well-integrated with a centralised department that ensures transparency in sales (Volkswagen AG, 2013e). Services. Volkswagen offers an integrated services environment by means of a global chain of after-sales service outlets, along with an active Customer Relationship Management (CRM) function that gathers market trends and implements chang es to its products and a financial service (Volkswagen Financial Service) that assists buyers opt for its products (Volkswagen AG, 2010). Procurement and Infrastructure. Volkswagen has partnered with several direct suppliers who in turn have partnered with subcontractors. It has also implemented several programs aimed at standardising quality, consistent delivery and cost-effectiveness of materials that it buys from its suppliers. (Volkswagen AG, 2013f). Human Resource and Technology. Volkswagen Group employs 549,763 talented people around the world as of 31 December, 2012. It supports the advancement of women and 15.2% of its workforce comprises of females. It also has in place a performance-rewarding mechanism that recognises excellence of employees. It engages its employees in formulation of strategies through opinion surveys that collect opinions, suggestions and feedbacks (Volkswagen AG, 2013g). Volkswagen has also taken initiatives to be more environment-friendly by reducing e nergy-consumption of its servers and air conditioners through modern technology and reducing the use of paper. It has also introduced digital factory models that reduce wastage in building an actual factory and a â€Å"Quicar† online program that encourages customers to share energy-efficient cars (Volkswagen AG, 2013h). Question 2: Where do its revenue / profits come from? Volkswagen’