Marketing mix

Identify and explain one advantage and one disadvantage for the business when Dilip trains production employees through on-the-job training.

Feb/March 2016

Identify and explain two sales promotion methods Peter could use for the new service.

Feb/March 2019

Explain two advantages to AF from segmenting its market.

Feb/March 2024

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of CR keeping inventory.

Feb/March 2025

Identify and explain two benefits for FF from aiming its products at a particular market segment.

May/June 2015

Identify and explain two reasons why marketing matters to CB when Chris launches his new business.

May/June 2015

Wilde Soup Stop (WSS) produces a variety of soups and hot drinks. It owns 30 shops and has franchised its name to 10 other shops in country Z. The Marketing Director said: ‘Results from our focus groups show that being an ethical business is important.’ WSS plans to broaden its product range so that it also includes curries and cakes. WSS will have to alter its brand image. The Marketing Director cannot decide whether sponsorship or newspaper advertising should be the main method of promotion. Fig. 1: Current logo for WSS. The logo contains the words “Wilde Soup Stop” and a picture of a bowl of soup with steam rising from it.

May/June 2017

Fizz Bomm is at the development stage of the product life cycle. Identify and explain four other stages in Fizz Bomm’s product life cycle.

May/June 2017

PLK is a social enterprise that provides training for young people who leave school without any qualifications. PLK chefs train the young people to prepare food, and this food is then sold at local markets or sporting events. Selecting the most suitable promotion method is important. The manager of PLK believes that, in order to increase profit, it is better to increase prices than to use cheaper food ingredients.

May/June 2019

CYN produces a variety of children’s toys. Over the past 10 years, CYN’s revenue has risen by 15% each year. In 2018 CYN’s total revenue reached $900 000. The Managing Director stated: ‘The toy market is becoming increasingly competitive in country J. I never expected the rate of growth to be so high. CYN cannot meet demand and we have decided to stop all marketing promotion for 6 months.’ The Managing Director wants CYN to spend more time developing new products. Figure 1: Percentage breakdown of CYN’s revenue in 2018. The pie chart shows the following labelled sections: exports 10%, wholesalers 35%, direct to retailers 55%.

May/June 2019

Identify and explain one benefit and one drawback to SA of launching new products in a niche market.

May/June 2019

Identify and explain two reasons why the Government assisted Peter in launching his new business.

May/June 2019

Pamela runs her business as a sole trader. She began her successful photography business 30 years ago. Her work focuses on photographing people and places for posters, calendars and fashion magazines. This is a niche market. Pamela includes cost-plus pricing in her marketing mix. Providing a high quality service is important to Pamela and her 2 employees.

May/June 2021

WYP operates as a partnership business. Greg and his 3 friends launched the business 7 years ago. WYP manufactures eyeglasses (spectacles), which are sold only via its website. Each pair of glasses costs $95. That is $200 cheaper than its main rival. Greg said: ‘It was hard at the beginning because we were unable to obtain trade credit. We also knew that building customer loyalty would take time.’ Greg believes that selecting the right promotion method is vital to the success of any new product.

May/June 2021

Explain one probable advantage and one probable disadvantage for Tandeep if he chooses to import the pushchairs (strollers) that he sells.

May/June 2021

MTD produces specialist cleaning products, including soap. It uses batch production. The business operates just-in-time inventory control. MTD spent 18 months developing its latest environmentally friendly cleaning product. The Marketing Manager must choose the packaging and the promotion method for this new product. She stated: ‘All our stakeholders, including pressure groups, matter. MTD aims to help sustainable development.’

May/June 2022

Explain four different ways Yasin could promote MB’s products.

May/June 2022

NLR produces a variety of branded skincare goods, including hand cream. The packaging of these goods matters. As with many businesses, NLR uses market segmentation. The Marketing Director knows that the stage of the product life cycle may affect NLR’s pricing choices. He is studying market research findings. These indicate that 85% of consumers expect businesses to react to environmental pressures.

May/June 2023

CFG is a social enterprise. It sources cocoa beans from local farmers and then turns the beans into chocolate. Ethical behaviour matters to the business. CFG has created a new chocolate bar. The Marketing Manager intends to use skimming as the pricing method and retailers as the distribution channel for the new product. He recognises that a business may be affected by many legal controls over marketing.

May/June 2024

Explain two benefits and two limitations for JJ of using part-time workers in its factory.

May/June 2024

Explain four characteristics that a successful entrepreneur may display.

May/June 2024

MDZ produces a variety of chocolate bars. It employs 300 employees. MDZ buys its ingredients from suppliers in the local area. It is important for MDZ to behave ethically towards its stakeholder groups. MDZ has products that are at different stages of the product life cycle. The business is also creating a new product. The Marketing Director has to decide on the packaging and the price of the new product. She understands that a business should choose an appropriate sales-promotion method for a new product.

May/June 2025

Explain two advantages and two disadvantages for a business of taking out a bank loan as a source of finance.

May/June 2025

Walt is the owner of a business that has created a new computer game for adults. A focus group report indicates that customers like it. Walt has been thinking about the marketing mix, including the packaging of this product, which is expected to be sold in many countries. ‘I do not want to use a wholesaler because it would reduce my profit margin’ he said.

Oct/Nov 2015

CC’s Marketing manager wants to carry out market research. Identify and explain two factors that could affect how accurate the market research data is.

Oct/Nov 2015

Identify and explain four suitable ways Joey could contact his employees if he wants them to work extra hours so an urgent order can be completed.

Oct/Nov 2015

With Government support, Amelia has recently launched YOGO as a new business. YOGO produces a selection of sweets (candy) aimed at adults, so it operates in a niche market. Amelia has been reviewing the marketing section of her business plan and must choose a pricing method. She is spending a great deal on packaging. She did not carry out any primary market research because she believes secondary data will be enough for her decisions. She thinks every adult enjoys sweets.

Oct/Nov 2016

Identify and explain two reasons why market research matters to GJ before the new service begins.

Oct/Nov 2016

GGB produces a variety of bakery items, such as pies, cakes and bread. These goods are sold only through its 400 shops, 60 of which are franchises. Primary market research indicates that customers’ spending habits are shifting. GGB has spent 6 months creating new products, including a selection of healthy foods such as pasta and sushi. High quality will be vital. The Marketing Director must choose whether Buy One Get One Free is the most suitable sales promotion method for the new products.

Oct/Nov 2018

Identify and explain one benefit and one cost to MF of developing the new product.

Oct/Nov 2019

Explain two factors that make a new business more likely to fail than an established business.

Oct/Nov 2020

Explain one cost and one benefit to PPE of developing a new product.

Oct/Nov 2021

Explain four functions of packaging for CC’s products.

Oct/Nov 2022

Explain four functions of marketing in a business.

Oct/Nov 2022

BKS is a manufacturer that produces a variety of food products. A strong brand image matters. Most of BKS’s products are sold straight to large retailers. The business is continually creating new products. The Marketing Manager understands that the stage of the product life cycle will affect BKS’s promotion decisions. She also knows why the business ought to react to environmental pressures.

Oct/Nov 2023

LRL produces skincare products, including face cream. It is a private sector business in country X. One of LRL’s aims is to support sustainable development. Keeping customer loyalty high is important, and the Marketing Director understands that a business needs an appropriate marketing mix. He is examining data to work out the value of LRL’s market share. An extract is shown in Fig. 3.1. The total value of sales of skincare products in country X during 2023 was $120$ million. Fig. 3.1 has the title: "Market share data for skincare products in country X in 2023 (%)". The pie chart shows: LRL: 30% Competitor A: 20% Competitor B: 15% Others: 35%.

Oct/Nov 2024

Explain two reasons CC may require finance.

Oct/Nov 2024

MTL is a large business that sells children’s toys. It aims to behave ethically towards every stakeholder group, including its 430 employees. Competition in the market where MTL operates has intensified. The business relies on several different ways to promote its products. A strong brand image matters. MTL’s directors are thinking about moving into a new market in another country, and they recognise that this could create difficulties.

Oct/Nov 2025

Explain two benefits and two limitations of a business that operates in a niche market.

Oct/Nov 2025

Explain four benefits to a business of using social media for promotion.

Oct/Nov 2025