Marketing (Sainsbury)
Paper instructions:
1. A minimum of 18 references
2. Adequate in text refereencing through out
3. • Structure and Presentation (15%): Correct use of referencing, bibliography. Structure and
quality of written expression
• Use of Appropriate Literature (30%): Evidence of research within the academic literature.
• Use of appropriate examples (25%): Evidence of ability to apply key concepts within a practical
context. Use of examples in support of the debate.
• Level of critical analysis (30%): Evidence of engagement with the academic literature. Flow and
coherence of the theoretical argument, culminating in logical conclusions.
Individual Report
“Old Marketing is Dead; New Marketing Wins “
This statement is based on Chapter 3 of Nigel Piercy’s book “Market-Led Strategic Change” – the course
text.
Sainsbury’s is a company that has just reported a 5.3% increase in under-lying pre-tax profit to March
2014, (The Financial Times, May 2014). This is contrary to key competitors such as Tesco and Morrisons’
who are both reporting falls in profitability and market share.
You are required to produce a report by conducting a marketing audit of Sainsbury’s current position
and then outline the key reasons for its success based largely on the content that we covered in
Chapter 4:
• The concept and importance of value-based marketing
Your answer should reflect the practical considerations that an organization faces in the real-world
which is a central tenet of Piercy’s approach. For this reason you may want to introduce concepts from
other parts of the course.
To achieve the above requires looking at the marketing strategy implemented over the last ten years
by the outgoing Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s Justin King. The company has successfully resolved a
number of key marketing issues during this time and is, according to market analyst Bernstein offering
“quality food for the masses”. Its positioning as thus is different to Tesco.
Your report should contain incisive insight into the status of the current grocery retail market, the key
dynamics driving it and where it is heading strategically and how Sainsbury’s has successfully adapted
its marketing in relation to those changes. In addition, how the issues put forward and discussed during
the course have impacted upon Sainsbury’s current position in the UK and how Justin King has arrived at
a successful marketing/value proposition in today highly competitive UK Grocery market.
Your report should conclude with firm and clear statements on what the key factors are that have
contributed towards Sainsbury’s UK marketing strategy and how they have – and are – creating value
for customers.
Remember: critical appraisal is essential. I am looking for demonstration of genuine marketing insight
and understanding in relation to the real-life issues faced by a leading organisation and how marketing
can create value going forward. Use of core marketing concepts to facilitate explanation would greatly
assist with this.
Presentation and Marking Scheme
1. The paper should be 2,500 words, excluding appendices. The word count for the assignment
should appear on the front page.
2. This assignment should reflect a balance between:
a. theoretical understanding, evidenced by research from a range of academic sources
b. Practical application of theory, evidenced by application to marketing strategy to illustrate
your discussion and evaluation.
3. Assessment Criteria
Marks will be allocated as follows:
• Structure and Presentation (15%): Correct use of referencing, bibliography. Structure and
quality of written expression
• Use of Appropriate Literature (30%): Evidence of research within the academic literature.
• Use of appropriate examples (25%): Evidence of ability to apply key concepts within a
practical context. Use of examples in support of the debate.
• Level of critical analysis (30%): Evidence of engagement with the academic literature. Flow and
coherence of the theoretical argument, culminating in logical conclusions.