A key challenge is getting all of our students engaged in wider reading. We encourage them to follow the news and discuss what is happening in the real world. This is so important in helping students understand case studies in the examination and where appropriate bring in their own examples.
When reading articles or watching the news encourage students to “business” the story. By this I mean to identify what areas of theory the reporter is talking about.
Six reasons behind the High Street crisis
Here is an excellent BBC article, one of my favourite sources, on “Six reasons behind the High Street crisis”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43240996
To encourage active reading here are some clues as to the “business” your students should be able to identify.
SWOT Profit margin Investment appraisal PED Liquidity Demand E-commerce Discretionary spending
Porter’s generic strategy Inflation National minimum wage Depreciation of the pound PESTLE Costs
Real wages Brexit Disposable income Sales forecasting YED Marketing mix Market share Gearing
Porter’s 5 forces Competitiveness Ratio analysis Cash flow National living wage Strategic drift
Investment criteria Profitability
This general article about the High Street can now be linked to specific examples.
Six examples of the High Street crisis
1 ToysRUs Toys R Us to close all US stores
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43411051
2 Maplin Maplin collapses as rescue talks fail
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43223175
3 Jamie’s Italian Jamie Oliver closes flagship Barbecoa restaurant
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43121644
4 Prezzo Prezzo restaurant group to close 94 outlets
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43515133
5 New Look New Look to axe 1,000 jobs and 60 stores
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43486521
6 House of Fraser House of Fraser aims to cut store rents
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42581940
Practice analysis
Write one fully developed paragraph showing contextualised analysis in relation to one of the examples above.
Analyse the factors influencing the profitability of ____________ .
Forming judgements
Which is the most important factor and what does it depend upon?
Prioritise the factors 1 – 6 for each example. Justify your answer by writing an evaluative conclusion for one of the examples.
We would love to see pictures of your students’ team work and outcomes.
Enjoy
Helen & Carlo