SWOT analysis introduction: SWOT analysis is a method for analyzing a business, its resources, and its environment.

. SWOT is commonly used as part of strategic planning and looks at:

Internal strengths Internal weaknesses Opportunities in the external environment Threats in the external environment

SWOT can help management in a business discover:

What the business does better than the competition What competitors do better than the business Whether the business is making the most of the opportunities available How a business should respond to changes in its external environment

Strengths A firm's strengths are its resources and capabilities that can be used as a basis for developing a competitive advantage. Examples of such strengths include:

patents strong brand names good reputation among customers cost advantages from proprietary know-how exclusive access to high grade natural resources favorable access to distribution networks

Weaknesses

The absence of certain strengths may be viewed as a weakness. For example, each of the following may be considered weaknesses:

lack of patent protection a weak brand name poor reputation among customers high cost structure lack of access to the best natural resources lack of access to key distribution channels

In some cases, a weakness may be the flip side of a strength. Take the case in which a firm has a large amount of manufacturing capacity. While this capacity may be considered a strength that competitors do not share, it also may be a considered a weakness if the large investment in manufacturing capacity prevents the firm from reacting quickly to changes in the strategic environment. Opportunities The external environmental analysis may reveal certain new opportunities for profit and growth. Some examples of such opportunities include:

an unfulfilled customer need arrival of new technologies loosening of regulations removal of international trade barriers

Threats Changes in the external environmental also may present threats to the firm. Some examples of such threats include:

shifts in consumer tastes away from the firm's products emergence of substitute products new regulations

increased trade barriers

SWOT Analysis of Mangala Stores: Mangala stores is a provisional retail stores located in Puttur, South Canara. They are dealing with almost all products like ration, Food and beverages, stationary items, food products etc. Strengths: Have a good connection with their customers, also welcomes advises from their customers. It is one of the oldest retail outlets of FMCG products; they get a lot of repeat customers. They also have long term agreement with the suppliers which is strength of the shop. Other strengths are given bellow: o Well built store in crowded location. o Good number of employee which is 15. o New stocks every month o Most new customers were attracted to the shop day by day. o Innovative sales techniques

Weaknesses: The main weakness is small store size and inability to find an expansion, resulting in stocking a limited product range. Shop name is not well known. Manager has limited industry experience and industry knowledge. Other tangible and intangible weaknesses are: o They often think about opening a bigger store, but the rent would be an issue.

o They dont have any fixed assets like land or any other buildings to expansion.

Opportunities: They can expand their product range because there are no contractual restrictions to us adding products to the store. The area where the store is located is becoming famous because of the growing educational institutions, there is further opportunity to sell more to get more profit. Also there is opportunity for expansion of the retail store also opportunity to go for new outlets.

Threats: The needs of the buyers are changing, as a result of changes in the lifestyle of customers, the need for quality products also changes. Rents increasing above CPI putting pressure on our margins More and more competitors like More super market has been started their outlets in Puttur. Increase in the cost of Products is also another threat.

SWOT Analysis of SHRAVANA Jewellery: Shravana Jewellery is the jewellery shop dealing with gold, silver and diamond ornaments, sales and services. Located in Vittal, South Canara.

Strengths: o No 1 Shop in Vittal. o Low labor and energy costs. o Cultural tradition and consumer affinity towards gold. o Honesty in price and quality of the products.

Weaknesses: Lack of transparency and accurate data in the industry Shortage of skilled and committed labor Problems with design and intellectual property rights Lack of support from governmental bodies and industry associations Amount and collection method of sales tax Attitude and system of the Hallmarking Authority

Opportunities: New demand markets in the region Strategic targeting of growing tourism sector Bi-lateral trade agreements Emerging regional and branded retail chains Attracting more and more customers because of loyalty, so there is opportunity to improve sales.

Threats:

Increasing competitors like Rajadhani Jewellery, Bindu Jewellery etc. Not much promotion factors, Absence of significant export capabilities.