With the growing concerns on the equality of persons with a disability, people become more aware on the provision of barrier free environment in publicly accessible premises. Lack of ramps, uneven flooring, narrow corridors and absence of tactile guide path are only some of the examples of the physical barriers for these people. Hong Kong government has been taking an initiative role in formulating legislations and providing codes of practice so as to safeguard the interests of the persons with a disability. Along with the government efforts in raising the awareness of society on the issue, media, statutory bodies and advocacy groups also have an active participation in fostering the interests of their concerned groups of disabled people. …show more content…
As shopping centre can be found easily in Hong Kong and is open to all people, whether its environment is accessible and user friendly enough to cater for all types of people are of importance. Also, with the initiative taken by the government in the provision of barrier free environment, it is valuable to study government’s influence on private sector. Thus, private shopping centres have been chosen as the scope of this study.
The term “property manager” refers to the DMC manager who is responsible for the management of a property. Property managers of shopping centres have many different job functions. To understand the different roles of property managers in the provision of barrier free environment, people with experiences in shopping centre management should be chosen for analysis as they would be expected to have a better understanding on the different roles. Hence, property management practitioners, property managers and professional associations’ members would be the target respondents in this
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Hence, property managers have a wide range of job functions and perform different roles in the management of a shopping centre. In the shopping centre management model as suggested by Chan & Kwan (2006), accessibility is one of the core elements in managing shopping centre. In managing a built environment like shopping centre, property manager is the key person to ensure such accessibility to all kinds of people including persons with a
Merchant elaborates on the extent of managing exotic gardens inside buildings particularly the mall to recreate a heavenly atmosphere. She considers the work that goes into maintaining these gardens to keep them pristine, from the expensive water works and pesticides utilized to keep the unclean and destructive nuisances from diminishing the aim for perfection in a desirable atmosphere (p.5). These gardens produce the atmosphere to make people happy and content. The greenery provides the feeling of being outdoors while truly being completely inside. She indicates mall landscaping is inspired by surrounding environments that are
Some core competencies that must be exploited are: Brand Kmart is an existing well-known and trusted national brand in USA Kmart has private label and designer clothing that is well endorsed Infrastructure Kmart has a large number of well-located, low-cost, leased stores in urban far away from competitors through out the country ( Appendix B ). Staffing Confidence by the market in Kmart is created by the achievements of its staff and management. With the turn-around strategy in place, new blood has been put into the top management structures. In any renewal there will be retrenchment as unprofitable stores are closed. This can be used as an opportunity to retain and move high performing staff to where they are needed and to get rid of non-performing staff. Anderson the chairperson of Kmart is well supported by Wall Street and the board of Directors. These new staff members enter the company with needed skills to address problems in certain areas that previously were poorly managed such as inventory control and merchandising. Store locations, layout and Performance Stores conveniently located away from competitors like Wal-mart and Target therefore less to compete for customers face-to-face. There are 250 non-performing stores who have already been identified as being more cost effective to close than continue with running costs. Expertise exists in-house for the planning of store layout and appearance to meet different customer segments. This concentration of effort will enable focus on key areas Technology Kmart has already invested in good retailing systems. The system can be use to control inventory, supplier payments, track customer buying and monitor income versus profit margins across all stores. Research and Development The planning department is well established and in cross-functional to provide various perspective. The planning department to ensure that strategies at all levels are executed can further use the access to past data and knowledge of changes in buying patterns. Financial Backing JP Morgan Chase has agreed to support Kmart to avert the current threat of closure due to bankruptcy.
IKEA is a widely famous furniture retailer company which has started its operation since 1943. Now it has wide variety of 9500 product items. It has been operating in 24 countries with 253 stores among them 32 are run by franchisees. 560 million people visited their stores in 2008 by physic and 455 million on their website. For that they earned 23 billion Euros as sales revenue. The competitive advantage of this company is its low price and sustainable marketing strategy. To compete in the market and to win the customers’ mind they took many business strategies. In this assignment, the definitions of different terms, their engagement, different business strategy, marketing programs, SWOT analysis, SMAR...
Whenever we go out shopping or relaxing at malls, we actually don’t see or recognize any effects of malls as we mostly go there for these two reasons. Malls are an integral part in the lives of America. They are shopping centers that have created a lot of buzz in many writers. This is because we have more malls in America than high schools. Malls have received praises from people like James J. Farrell, Jon Pahl and George Lewis who view malls as not only shopping centers but also as places that provide a reflection of the American culture and serve as centers of pleasure and entertainment. In contrast, William Kowinski and David Gutterson criticize malls for just being an artificial environment that creates disorientation among American shoppers. In my opinion, malls are just magnificent commercial buildings that create a sense of false dreams and imagination.
Goss argues that developers and designers of the built environment, specifically shopping centers and malls, use the power of place and understanding the structural layout of the space to boost consumption of the retail profits. Shopping centers are separated from the downtown area of shopping, either by distance and/or design. These establishments emerge for many to be the new heart and location for public and social life. In his article The "Magic of the Mall": An Analysis of Form, Function, and Meaning in the Contemporary Retail Built Environment, Goss also argues that the regulation of the spaces within the mall creates an atmosphere of "community" rather than one that is "public". This article’s main argument is that developers manufacture an illusion of doing more than just shopping when designing malls and shopping centers.
...optimize shoppability of the store. One day, we will have cameras in every store, and the shopping experience will be tracked and customized to the consumers’ needs. Just like we get accustomed to other things in life that change around us, we will all soon agree that these options that retailers are taking without our permission will soon be invaluable and we will thank them for such ease. Although, it may not easy for some people to agree; if they were to take the time to be able to fully understand the retailer’s idea behind such techniques, it would change their mind. And if they are able to accept such change, at least they would not feel so betrayed. Under these circumstances, the observation of consumers is a provision to help boost the market with its sales and development. In addition, it creates the preeminent aftermath for both the retailer and customer.
The customers of IKEA are so educated and live in big cities with increasing salaries of their target market which increases almost every year. The target markets visit the store almost every month and this means there needs to be changes in the setting of the store and arrangement made quarterly for new products and designs. The offer IKEA gives to its customers is to supply affordable furniture solution to its target market but the overall image of the company is also necessary. The new store in Beijing has a lot of adjustment made in terms of its size as more visitors walk into the store much more than any other store in the
The management of the retail store focused on managing quality of their products by providing the best quality products. The retail store focuses on the total quality management to ensure the customers satisfaction on delivering the best quality of products according to ( Swink et al, 2011) TQM is an integrated management strategy that is aimed by inserting awareness of quality in all organizational process. For example different types of grains that are available in the store import the best quality of grains and ensure their costumes on the quality refer appendix 2 for further images. The retail store provides the customers a list of specific goods also with a promotion very month and festive season. The store also focused on their service to their customers for instance helping them with their purchased item to be kept in their vehicle and ensure they help the customers in all time. And when there is a long line, the retail store will open up more casher lane and to be more efficient to avoid the long queue. In addition, the retail sore also provided delivery service to customers who purchase items more than RM 1000.00. Besides that the store also focused on advertising for the first five years to create
IKEA conceptualizes and assembles goods and products that are designed to be practical, while at the same time possess tasteful designs and accessible at a low cost (IKEA, 2016). IKEA markets itself as a store established for the people, such that they are open to being the people 's companions for an improved life. The positioning testimony of IKEA opens up a partnership with its customers is to arrive at the desired effects perceived by their clients and by the store performing their part in the development. This permits the company to serve the large middle and low income earning groups as they are able to secure furniture affordably. This marketing strategy is called, “merchandise”, the product range and the prices of the products (Waller, 2014). This results to a cost-effective technique of providing for the needs of the customer and the price should be the same in every market. As new companies hit the market, several of them try and mirror IKEA. It does not prove beneficial and IKEA manages to keep their competitive edge and advantage over the companies. They are still the strongest retailer in business and vastly growing. The key to their continued success is
For example, customers would have opportunities to change their role into a co-producer; such as picking up and delivering goods while IKEA, managers rearrange the selling activities and let the consumers take over part of them. Another great strategic management skill that IKEA master is allowing clients to be involved in the service delivery system through motivation and integration. In addition, they use technology in an ingenious way by flat packaging and encourage customers to take home their items on their own which in-cooperate their co-producers practices (Frynas & Mellahi,
To conclude this case study of Candlewood Suites, it is important to look at all the four management functions above. It is evident that all four functions go hand in hand in order to be most effective. In this case, even though the planning stage was somewhat successful, the execution stages and everything connected to it failed. The foremost reason for this to happen was wrong organization at time. With a stronger leadership on property, and a more effective control and accountability system the work environment, as well as occupancy and revenue could have been maximized at all times.
The standards of consumption for people at present are growing rapidly in Sydney. Due to its great enhancement of consuming level, it attracts many transnational retail corporations enter into the market. However, short shopping hours in Sydney become a problem, usually around 8hours per day. Thus, extending shopping hours may bring some benefits. Although there are many critics who argue against the benefits, it cannot be denied that more shopping hours is necessary for the development of the city, since it brings convenience in life, growth of the economy and image of Sydney as an international metropolis.
Railway, bus and minibus are the most used transportations in Hong Kong, with millions of commuters everyday. Despite the different measures implemented by government and private enterprises to enhance accessibility of facilities, a minority group of disabled people still not able to utilize the public transportation system as unrestrictedly as other able-bodied citizens. Personally, I have experienced situations and witnessed cases that people with disability having significant difficulty in entering the transports or on board. For instance, I accompanied my grandfather, who was a wheelchair user and suffered from stroke, to see the doctor by train. There was stair-lift at our designated exit. Asides
This essay will explain the main duties of the financial manager in a retail setting, the difference between a financial plan and a budget, how a budget can contribute to a business achieving its aims, the definition of a commercial manager and the five key qualities or skills that a commercial manager needs in order to succeed in this position.
Property management systems help provide hospitality to guests in a multitude of positive ways. Registration has improved with the advent of PMS. While registration typically occurred at the front desk, new developments have changed the process with the ability for hotel employees to facilitate the process remotely using wireless computers or for guests themselves using a self check-in at a lobby kiosk or even over the Internet prior to arrival. This can improve customer service for the guest while lowering costs for the front office.