The UK Property Market

The UK Property Market Residential Property The United Kingdom enjoyed serious property boom for over a decade. The property boom slowed down when the economic meltdown commenced in 2008. During the boom years the value of property in the United Kingdom soared, and in some cases the value of properties rose by over 200 percent (Cameron, 2005:5). One of the main factors for the boom was that the economy had a long period of sustained growth, furthermore the interest rates were regulated by the government and kept low. Added to these factors was an upsurge in property investments fuelled by both local and foreign investors. Finally the government kept a tight control on the number of new houses built during that period, so that effectively demand outstripped supply (Cameron, 2005:5). Currently, the bubble in the property market in the United Kingdom has burst and the market is currently undergoing some reforms. Prices are no longer rising as fast as they were some years ago and there is now an oversupply of houses in the property market as home owners are reluctant to sell in this current state. The effect of this is that supply of properties out stripes demand in residential property (Ruddick and Moore, 2010:1). The economic slowdown affected all sectors of the property market, however the price of houses in London are slowly picking up and this is due to the weak pound that has made a lot of foreign investors to come in to the UK and invest in properties (Evening Standard, March 30, 2010). Stake holders are arguing that the Carlsberg review of residential properties should be the bench mark for carrying out reforms in the residential sector as well as all the other sectors of the property market. Furthermore, the reforms currently going on is aimed at producing better and more information to customers, this lead to the introduction of the Home Owners Information Package (HIPs). The government plans to regulate the property market, especially the estate agents so that it will no longer be an all comers affairs. Finally, there is now a standards board in the property industry, although they have limited powers. On the other hand, the residential property market in Europe is different from the property market in the UK. The residential property market in the UK encourages people to buy their own homes, unlike in Europe, where the emphasis is more on long term renting (Oswald, 1999:10). Credit is readily available in the UK in order to assist home owners to buy properties, unlike in Europe where it was not easily available (Oswald, 1999:10). However all this has changed as the residential property market in Europe is undergoing some reforms that has had a great effect on the residential, commercial and industrial properties all over Europe. It appears that most European nations are copying the UK model and are now encouraging its citizens to be home owners instead of renting. Spain is a good example (Oswald, 1999:7). Furthermore, with the opening up of the EU, Europeans can now move to any EU country and acquire property, this factor has greatly affected the property market in the EU, because capital can now be moved easily and investors in one part of the EU can take advantage of cheap properties in any other part of the EU. Finally, it appears that for eight years starting from 1990, the reforms and gains of the real estate market in the United Kingdom were modelled on the system of the United States; however for six years starting from 1998, the property market in the United Kingdom appeared to be harmonized with that of its European neighbours (Lee, 2009:32). Commercial Property and Industrial Property Commercial properties are scarce in the UK and demand exceeds supply. This among other factors led to a boom in the commercial property sector. However there appears to be a slump at the moment as Commercial property in UK was also affected by the global economic down turn. However current reports indicate that the commercial property sector in the UK is picking up and investors are starting to snatch up prime commercial properties (Evening Standard, March 30, 2010). The commercial property yield in the UK is quite impressive and high compared to its European neighbours. On the other hand, commercial properties in Europe also appear to be booming. The European economy is recovering and a lot of foreign investors are investing in commercial properties in Europe (Oswald, 1999:7). The economic meltdown has also affected the growth of commercial property in Europe and the sector is also undergoing reforms just like the market is undergoing in the UK. Most EU countries have put legislation in place in order to allow real estate investment trusts (Oswald, 1999:27). This legislation will make it easier for foreign investors to invest in the commercial property sector and inject the much need funds in order to keep the commercial property sector booming. Finally the demand for industrial property is low in the UK. This is due to the fact that a lot of industries are closing down due to high cost of labour and the strong Pound Sterling. Companies are moving their operations to Europe and other areas where it will be cheaper for them to operate. While in Euro pe the demand for industrial property is booming, due to the stability of the Euro as well as the economic prosperity in the Euro Zone. Furthermore due to some recent EU Directives, setting an industry in some EU countries is now a lot cheaper and easier than it used to be. (B) The five major skills that I acquired in the university are as follows: communication skills, multi-tasking, organizing skills and time management skills, IT skills and interpersonal abilities. The main purpose of communication is to convey ones message to recipients. Good communication takes many forms such as speaking, writing and listening (Heller, 1998:6). I gained my communication skills in the university through course work presentations, seminar discussions, formal training sessions and face to face meeting with my course leader. These range of activities helped me to acquire my verbal and communication skills in the university. I improved my verbal and communications skills in the university by devoting time to the three key elements of effective communication, which are, effective initial preparation, effective structuring of my material and effective delivery of my material (King, 1992: 14). Finally, the art of getting ones message across effectively is a vital part of being a good manager (Heller, 1998:1). Communication skill will help me in future because no matter my status within an organization I will be giving instructions to my colleagues, superiors or juniors and these instructions can range from simple instructions or requests to complex instructions. I also gained IT skills and interpersonal abilities while studying in the university. We had a specialized IT unit in the university that offered training and support to students. I went for many lectures and training that the IT unit organized on campus. We had a large IT laboratory on campus and each student had a password that allowed the student access to any of the personal computers in the IT laboratory and there was always an IT specialist to offer technical support to any student that was experiencing difficulties. Inter personal abilities is basically about getting on well with your colleagues. I was in a university with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I also lived in the hostel and I had three flat mates all from different cultures and backgrounds and we to share the same living room and kitchen. These are the factors that helped me gain inter personal skills while studying in the university. The explosive growth of information technology in recent years highlights the need and importance of IT skills (Pearlson Saunders, 2006:7). In future if I work in an organisation I could be asked to take on any tasks that require different skills at different times. Finally, most organisations are now a mix of people from different cultures and backgrounds, therefore my interpersonal skills as well as communications will benefit me, if I find myself working in such multinational organisations in the future. One other skill that I gained while studying was multi-tasking and organizing skills. These two skills are essential skill (Crenshaw, 2007:15). I gained this skill by taking part in different activities in the university. As an undergraduate you are introduced to many different activities and some of them have no relationship with one another. I was introduced to so many different activities that involved different tasks to accomplish. I gained organising skills by been involved in many societies on campus. The effect of this was that I had to organise my time effectively and efficiently between my course work and my other activities on campus. This skill will help me in future due to the fact that I can cope in a busy working environment. Furthermore, I can be versatile and engage in different activities that are not related. Finally, I will be able to organize and balance my personal life and my working life. The last key skill that I acquired while in the university was time management skills. Time management is all about determining ones priorities. There is usually a lot to accomplish in the university. When you acquire this skill you can then be able to determine your priorities. I gained this skill my making a daily ‘to do list the day before and I usually organized my list in accordance with three criteria: the importance/urgency of the task, the amount of time available and the quality of time available (Morris, 1996:73). This skill enabled me to be in control of my personal life and academic life. This skill will help me function well under pressure and make me be in control of my work load in any organisation I find myself working for in future. Bibliography Cameron, G (2005) The UK Housing Market, Economic Review, University of Oxford Journal, Oxford Crenshaw, D (2007) The Myth of Multi-tasking, Key Organisations System, London Heller, R (1998) Communicate Clearly, Dorling Kindersley, London King, A.G (1992) Effective Communication, Blackstone Press, London Lee, S (2009) Is the UK real estate market converging with the rest of Europe? Journal of European Real Estate Research, Vol.2, Issue 1, 18-32 Morris, B (1996) First Steps in Management, Library Association Publishing, London Oswald, A.J (1999) The Housing market and Europes Unemployment: A Non-Technical Paper, Economic Department, University of Warwick, Warwick Ruddick, G and Moore, M (2010) UK Housing Market: Double Dip Fears, Telegraph on line can be assessed at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/houseprices/7539267/UK-housing-market-double-dip-fears-subside-slightly.html > Scott, P (1996) The property Masters: a History of the British Commercial Property Sector, Spon E FN, London

Future Technological Impacts and Influences on News Reporting and Prese

Future Technological Impacts and Influences on News Reporting and Presentation Forms of technology have always had a significant influence on the way news is both reported and presented; there is no reason to suppose this situation will change as new technologies develop and mature in the future. Examples from the past are legion, but a couple of particularly striking ones may serve to illustrate the extreme impact changes in technology have upon what we regard as "news". The development of the printing press (in Europe in the mid-Fifteenth Century) allowed for the first time the widespread and low cost dissemination of written material. Reading was no longer the sole preserve of educated elite; the ramifications of that seminal technological development are still being felt to this day. Ideas and information were 'democratised', social changes inevitably flowing from the spread of those ideas. It is possible that no other single technological innovation has had the impact on western civilisation than that of the printing press. By the late Nineteenth Century the development of photography (and its application to printed media) changed newspapers and journals forever. This was important because images are powerful; to actually see a picture of the Hindenburg in flames, or a Bradman shot for four, or Churchill walking the rubble of Coventry, conveys so much meaning and influence (whether for good or not, or whether these images are manipulated is another question altogether) as to make the gathering and reporting of the news stories associated with the images only an equal partner, or even subservient, to the images themselves. Kevin Kawamato (2004) suggests: ...photos can evoke emotions. Reading about ... ...ulletin Web site. Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/970623/reeves.html Mendham, T. (2004). Building portals of mass interaction. Computerworld Web site. (March 24, 2004). Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;770380183;relcomp;1 Sauter, V. G. (2004). A Full-Employment Act for Ombudsmen! Organization of News Ombudsmen Web site. (2004). Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.newsombudsmen.org/sauter.html Schroeder, C. M. (2004, June 18). Is This the Future of Journalism? MSNBC Newsweek Web site. Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5240584/site/newsweek/ Other web sites referenced: http://www.alternet.org/ http://www.google.com/ http://www.nytimes.com/ http://www.salon.com/ http://www.slashdot.org/ http://www.slate.com/ http://www.theonion.com/ Future Technological Impacts and Influences on News Reporting and Prese Future Technological Impacts and Influences on News Reporting and Presentation Forms of technology have always had a significant influence on the way news is both reported and presented; there is no reason to suppose this situation will change as new technologies develop and mature in the future. Examples from the past are legion, but a couple of particularly striking ones may serve to illustrate the extreme impact changes in technology have upon what we regard as "news". The development of the printing press (in Europe in the mid-Fifteenth Century) allowed for the first time the widespread and low cost dissemination of written material. Reading was no longer the sole preserve of educated elite; the ramifications of that seminal technological development are still being felt to this day. Ideas and information were 'democratised', social changes inevitably flowing from the spread of those ideas. It is possible that no other single technological innovation has had the impact on western civilisation than that of the printing press. By the late Nineteenth Century the development of photography (and its application to printed media) changed newspapers and journals forever. This was important because images are powerful; to actually see a picture of the Hindenburg in flames, or a Bradman shot for four, or Churchill walking the rubble of Coventry, conveys so much meaning and influence (whether for good or not, or whether these images are manipulated is another question altogether) as to make the gathering and reporting of the news stories associated with the images only an equal partner, or even subservient, to the images themselves. Kevin Kawamato (2004) suggests: ...photos can evoke emotions. Reading about ... ...ulletin Web site. Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/970623/reeves.html Mendham, T. (2004). Building portals of mass interaction. Computerworld Web site. (March 24, 2004). Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;770380183;relcomp;1 Sauter, V. G. (2004). A Full-Employment Act for Ombudsmen! Organization of News Ombudsmen Web site. (2004). Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.newsombudsmen.org/sauter.html Schroeder, C. M. (2004, June 18). Is This the Future of Journalism? MSNBC Newsweek Web site. Retrieved September 13, 2004, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5240584/site/newsweek/ Other web sites referenced: http://www.alternet.org/ http://www.google.com/ http://www.nytimes.com/ http://www.salon.com/ http://www.slashdot.org/ http://www.slate.com/ http://www.theonion.com/

Fin 419 Week 5 Team Assignment with Answers

Principles of Managerial Finance FIN/419 P12. 4 Break even analysis. Barry Carter is considering opening a music store. He wants to estimate the number of CDs he must sell to break even. The CDs will be sold for $13. 98 each, variable operating costs are $10. 48 per CD, and annual fixed operating costs are $73,500. A) Find the operating breakeven point in number of CDs. Q= FC / P- VC Q= 73,500 / 13. 98 – 10. 48 Q= 21,000 CDs B) Calculate the total operating costs at the breakeven volume found in part a. EBIT= Q x (P – VC) – FC EBIT= 21,000 x (13. 98 – 10. 48) – 73,500 EBIT= 21,000 x 3. 5 – 73,500 EBIT= 0 C) If Barry estimates that at a minimum he can sell 2,000 CDs per month, should he go into the music business? 2,000 CDs per month x 12 months = 24,000 CDs. Since the operating breakeven point in number of CDs is 21,000, this means that Barry will sell 3,000 more CDs that will be a profit. Depending on Barry’s outcome of the music store, if he were to go into the music business and sell 2,000 CDs a month, he would make a profit. The profit would not be that much more above the operating breakeven point; however, it will still be a profit. I would take the chance and go into the music business. D) How much EBIT will Barry realize if he sells the minimum 2,000 CDs per month noted in part c? EBIT= Q x (P – VC) – FC EBIT= 24,000 x (13. 98 – 10. 48) – 73,500 EBIT= 24,000 x 3. 5 – 73,500 EBIT= 10,500 P12-11 a. $0. 38 b. $1. 28 c. $1. 94 Ebit| | | | $24,600| $30,600| $35,000| less interest| | | $9,600| $9,600| $9,600| Net profits before taxes| | $15,000| $21,000| $25,400| Les Taxes| | | | $6,000| $8,400| $10,160| Net profits after taxes| | $9,000| $12,600| $15,240| Less preferred stock dividends| $7,500| $7,500| $7,500| Earings available for common| | $1,500| $5,100| $7,740| Earings per share| | | $0. 8| $1. 28| $1. 94| | | | | a| b| c| P12-24. : Integrative–optimal capital structure Intermediate a. Debt Ratio| 0%| | 15%| | 30%| | 45%| | 60%| EBIT| $2,000,000| | $2,000,000| | $2,000,000| | $2,000,000| | $2,000,000| Less: Interest| 0| | 120,000| | 270,000| | 540,000| | 900,000| EBT| $2,000,000| | $1,880,000| | 1,730,000| | $1,460,000| | $1 ,100,000| ? Taxes @40%| 800,000| | 752,000| | 692,000| | 584,000| | 440,000| Net profit| $1,200,000| | $1,128,000| | $1,038,000| | $ 876,000| | $ 660,000| Less: Preferred dividends| 200,000| | 200,000| | 200,000| | 200,000| | 200,000| Profits available to ?common stock| $1,000,000| | $ 928,000| | $ 838,000| | $ 676,000| | $ 460,000| # shares outstanding| 200,000| | 170,000| | 140,000| | 110,000| | 80,000| EPS| $ 5. 00| | $ 5. 46| | $ 5. 99| | $ 6. 15| | $ 5. 75| b. Debt: 0%Debt: 15% Debt: 30%Debt: 45% Debt: 60% c. The optimal capital structure would be 30% debt and 70% equity because this is the debt/equity mix that maximizes the price of the common stock. Chapter 16 Problem 16. For each of the loan amounts, interest rates, annual payments, and loan terms shown in the following table, calculate the annual interest paid each year over the term of the loan, assuming that the payments are made at the end of each year. Loan| Amount| Rate| Annual Payment| Term (in years)| Interest Paid Y ear 1| Year 2| Year 3| Year 4| Year 5| Year 6| A| $14,000| 10%| $4,416| 4 | $1400| $1098. 40| $766. 64| $401. 70| | | B| 17,500| 12%| 10,355| 2| 2100| 1109. 40| | | | | C| 2,400| 13%| 1,017| 3| 312| 220. 35| 116. 79| | | | D| 49,000| 14%| 14,273| 5| 6860| 5822. 18| 4639. 06| 3290. 31| 1752. 3| | E| 26,500| 16%| 7191| 6| 4240| 3767. 84| 3220. 13| 2584. 80| 1847. 80| 992. 89| Problem 16. 5 Lease versus purchase Northwest Lumber Company needs to expand its facilities. To do so, the firm must acquire a machine costing $80,000. The machine can be leased or purchased. The firm is in the 40% tax bracket, and its after-tax cost of debt is 9%. The terms of the lease and purchase plans are as follows: Lease The leasing arrangement requires end-of-year payments of $19,800 over 5 years. All maintenance costs will be paid by the lessor; insurance and other costs will be borne by the lessee. The lessee will exercise its option to purchase the asset for $24,000 at termination of the lease. Purchase If the firm purchases the machine, its cost of $80,000 will be financed with a 5-year, 14% loan requiring equal end-of-year payments of $23,302. The machine will be depreciated under MACRS using a 5-year recovery period. (See Table 3. 2 on page 108 for the applicable depreciation percentages. ) The firm will pay $2,000 per year for a service contract that covers all maintenance costs; insurance and other costs will be borne by the firm. The firm plans to keep the equipment and use it beyond its 5-year recovery period. a. Determine the after-tax cash outflows of Northwest Lumber under each alternative. Year| Lease after-tax outflows| Purchase after-tax outflows| 1| $11,880| $13,622| 2| 11,880| 10,459. 71| 3| 11,880| 15,391. 10| 4| 11,880| 18,512. 89| 5| 35,880| 19,516. 93| b. Find the present value of each after-tax cash outflow stream, using the after-tax cost of debt. Year| PV of outflows (Lease)| PV of outflows (Purchase)| 1| $10,893. 96| $12,491. 37| 2| 10,002. 96| 8,807| 3| 9,171. 6| 11,881. 93| 4| 8,411. 04| 13,107. 13| 5| 23,322| 12,686. 00| Total| $61,801. 32| $58,973. 51| c. Which alternative—lease or purchase—would you recommend? Why? The alternative that I would recommend is the purchase option because it has the lower present value of after-tax cash outflows as well as the most desirable. It is the most desirable because by purchasing the machine would be a less costly alternative. Reference s Gitman, L. J. (2009). Principles of Managerial Finance (12th ed. ). Retrieved from https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/eReader. aspx.

Moscow On The Hudson Report essays

Moscow On The Hudson Report essays The film, Moscow On The Hudson, brings the viewers to the height of the Cold War, during World War II. In the beginning, the movie is set in communist Russia, but it soon advances to democratic America. The Russians thought poorly of Americans, and constantly referred to them as "whores with disease." This film proves to Americans how fortunate they are to live in America, where freedom is not just an unapproachable dream, but is a way of life, a reality. Vladimir, the main character, is a Russian, dwelling in the Soviet Union with his family, which includes his mother, father, sister, and grandfather who was a war hero in World War II. In the Soviet Union, Vladimir is a musician in the circus, and plays the saxophone. The circus that he is part of, visits New York. The government poses many restrictions on the group while in America, such as to stay away from the subways, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Greenwich Village. In New York, the foreigners are in total awe. This was an entirely new experience to them. Some instances why this was completely stunning to them were they were able to get toilet paper, which was a luxury to them, practically anywhere, whereas in Russia, they may only receive toilet paper when they are told, and must wait on a line that stretches for blocks, also in New York they were able to go shopping, and buy designerwear by famous designers such as Calvin Kline. The main appeal of America, though, was freedom. As the Russians receive their last taste of America and its freedom, by shopping at Bloomingdales, while Vladimir's friend is too much of a coward to follow through, Vladimir defects in the department store, causing complete chaos. Vladimir's decision to defect was an audacious one, knowing he would have to sacrifice seeing his family, grandfather, or girlfriend again, and not knowing a soul in America, take the risk to try to get by on his own, and if ...

Lost Boy Essays - Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Lost Boy, Free Essays

Lost Boy Essays - Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Lost Boy, Free Essays Lost Boy Dave Peltzer the author of The Lost Boy tells his story from the time he left his abusive mother and alcoholic father, through his experiences in five foster homes and juvenile detention, and how he eventually made it into the Air Force. He was a defiant, rebellious boy who, despite his background and personality, managed to endear himself to many guardians, social workers, and teachers. Pelzer writes in an honest, sometimes rambling, style; he is never bitter, and his story will find many sympathetic readers. The main purpose for Dave to write this book is to show at what lengths children and adolescents have gone to over come the unmentionable hardships of and abusive family. The three most valuable things I have learned from this book are very hard to choose. The book was full of many things to help me in my everyday life. Ranging from how to deal with kids who have be through abusive situations to how kids of abuse act in general. The first one has to be, Dave was very tactful in how he handled his thoughts and feelings. Many children his age are running around chasing girls and hanging with the guys. Not him he was studying hard and trying to be better than his parents were. He would always squander away what he had, so no one could take what was rightfully his and that includes his life. The second thing that was useful was how Dave was never angry with his situation he would just look at it as another challenge. Many times through out the book Dave would have to change foster homes after being fairly settled in the way of living there. Most teens his age cant handle a great deal of change but Dave would just go with the flow and never bat an eye lash. The third most valuable thing has to be his willingness to help. I would think that since no one would help him he would not help anyone else. On the contrary, Dave was always helping with chores, making dinner, and doing little extra things he didnt have to do. I later found out through reading the book that Daves willingness to help stems from his need to feel loved and wanted. I can honestly say that I could never have gone through the painstaking trials and tribulations Dave went though while he was in his teen yes. It take a special person to do that and Dave is that special person. PARENTING TECHNIQUES Daves mother was a very troubled woman who for some unknown reason liked to target Dave and blame him for any and all bad things that happened. His mother was and Authoritative and neglectful at the same time. Some may say how can one parent be on both extremes of things but there are a few instance with in the book which shows both. For example Daves mother would make him do all the chores and never was aloud to play. For some reason even if Dave finished what he was told to do in the time he was told to do it he would not be fed or worse he would be part of his mother Games and Test. His mothers Games and Tests range from putting him in freezing cold water for 5 hours at a time to making him sit on the garage steps with his hands under his bottom head strait a head for up to 36 hours at a time no food, bathroom, shower or other needs to live. Dave was saved from this horror when he was 15 but he was in foster care and the parenting techniques ranged from authoritarian to indulgent, but anything was better than what he had endured at his mothers house. DELINQUENCY Dave in his teen years was for the most part a very well behaved boy. He was working hard in school and kept to himself for the most part. Although Dave did have a small problem he like to take things with out asking or stealing. Daves stealing habits stem from his basic survival needs that he instinctively put up when his mother would make him go with out food, water, and basic sanitation. Dave at times would also lash out at his foster families so that they would not get to close to him. In some cases when Dave would lash out he would be put into another foster home and have

Developing an Implementation Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Developing an Implementation Plan - Assignment Example Second, the program will undergo formal approval through Site-Based Research (SBR) Units Review (Carter, Reitmeier & Goodloe, 2014). The success of this program implementation process will rely on the support and participation of peers and unit leaders. Peer support will ensure that the implementation process will take the shortest time possible. Additionally, peer support will contribute to enthusiasm and buy-in for the implementation process. Administrative support is equally important because it will influence the degree to which institutions will implement the program. Below is the process of obtaining informal approval: Formal approval will require the submission of the program implementation plan to Site Based Research Review (SBR). SBR will review the proposal to assess the validity and legality of the contents of the plan. Afterward, the SBR will assign a director who will then forward the proposal to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review. The implementation will then commence after the approval of the IRB. Research studies reveal that health associated infections (HAIs) are some of the most common complications that healthcare organizations and practitioners face. For instance, a new research study reveals that more than two million people develop HAIs every year. The infections result in approximately 1,000 deaths every year. HAIs are also responsible for health care costs in excess of 30 billion dollars. Thus, addressing the issue of HAIs is critical in reducing healthcare costs and enhances patient safety. One of the approaches to addressing the problem of HAIs is reducing the prevalence of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) among patients. CAUTIs are the most typical examples of HAIs, and they account for more than 35 percent of infections. The U.S. Department of Health estimates the total annual cost of CAUTI to be 565 million dollars, and the annual rate of deaths from CAUTI is

Report to Caifu Investments Ltd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Report to Caifu Investments Ltd - Essay Example It is noteworthy that both the company are strong competitors in the apparel industry of the United Kingdom. Since both the companies operate in the global retail industry, it is natural to assume that external environmental factors will affect both the companies in similar manner. These factors are: Advanced technology: Rapid technological development has profound transformation effect on the retail industry at global level. The exuberant adoption of mobile digital technologies such as tablets and smartphones in retailing has influenced consumer behaviour as well. Technological development has become a source of competitive advantage and differentiation. Advancement can be observed in terms of increasing implementation of QR (Quick Response) code, self checkout systems, digital advertising displays, smart kiosk and electronic price tags (Krafft and Mantrala, 2010). Product Life Cycle: The retail industry of the UK has reached the mature phase of its life cycle; as a result, high street shopping is declining at a rapid rate. Since 2000, approximately 25000 stores have been closed and around 183 retail brands disappeared from the market in 2011. E-commerce, high product diversification and recession are being considered as some of the contributing factors (Marketline, 2013). Competition: the competition in the industry is relatively high and considering the extensive diversity maintained by most contemporary retailers, the degree of rivalry has increased tremendously. Consumers have variety of choices but with limited purchasing power, retailers are losing significant share of the deserving profit (Marketline, 2013; 2014). Consumer behaviour: Thomas (2013) suggested that consumer buying behaviour in UK as well as in the world was largely affected by the recession. Consumers have changed their purchasing behaviour significantly. For majority