Primary problem:
Sine 1988 , sales had been declining steadily.
Evidence: 1988 sales-$ 7.5million; 1993-$3.5 million; 1998-$2.7million.
Situation Analysis
A Environment
1.Low-wage developing countries with an abundant supply of labour provide tough competition to Canada.
2Growing popularity of the ‘ big and tall size’.
3 Trend to ‘dressing down’ or ‘ casual days’
4 The weather over last few years has hurt business.( Winters were warm)
5 Fashion business usually changes fast.
6 The low value of Canadian dollar relative to the U.S dollar.
Summary of environmental opportunities and threats:
Opportunities: a Serving ‘big and tall size ‘customer groups and market segments;
b. Low value of CDN dollar means lower price for American, good for exportation.
Threats: a Comparative high labour costs , squeeze profit margins; b The trend ‘dressing down’ shift buyers` needs and tastes away from the products c. Costly follow the fashion pace.
B Industry
1.Clothing industry is labour intensive; Knitting is more capital intensive; men`s sweaters-less susceptible to style changes and quicker to embrace technological advancement
2 Sweaters will be in fashion again.
3 Competitors Analysis:
EXHIBIT 1 Major competitors profiles
Name Location Age in years Employees Sales($000 000) Exporting Male product
Standard Knitting Ltd Winnipeg 23 100 <$25 Yes-U.SEurope,Latin Amer Man`s sweaters
Straton Knitting Mills Ltd&nb ...