ECOM421 ASS

Group Project Assignment

Saudi Electronic University
College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
E-Commerce Department

Student Name:

Student ID:

Course Title: E-Business Strategies and Course Code: ECOM421
Business Models
Academic Year/ Semester:
2024-25/Second

CRN:

Instructor Name:
Student Grade:

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Grade Level:

Saudi Electronic University
College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
ECOM421 – E-Business Strategies & Business Models
Group Project Assignment

Submission
Part 1

On or Before 1st March 2025 (End of Week 06)

15 Marks

Part 2

On or Before 26th April 2025 (End of Week 12)

15 Marks

Part 3

On or Before 26th April 2025 (End of Week 12)

10 Marks

Total Marks: 40

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Questions
You have just graduated from Saudi Electronic University and have been selected by a company
as a Project Intern for a month’s probation period. Your marketing manager has invited you for
coffee, and during your interaction with him, you came to know that your company wants you to
support it in growing the business. Your Marketing Manager has told you to prepare a project
report and design a PowerPoint presentation based on specific parameters. The company will
decide whether to offer you a full-time opportunity or not based on our quality of work, efforts,
and creative thinking. Kindly do this assignment with great dedication. This assignment aims to
help students learn how to apply skills and knowledge in planning, managing, and nurturing a
business by implementing an appropriate strategy. Students are expected to understand the ongoing
recent developments in the marketplace and be able to employ various concepts of this course
deliberately to boost the businesses of the company where they are working/or will work. This
assignment is divided into three parts, and students are encouraged to submit each as per the stated
due date. Students are suggested to create a group of 4-5 students in each group to complete this
group project and join any one of the groups below, considering that the company has selected all
members of your group, stated in front of each group number.
Group 1: Carrefour
Group 2: Panda
Group 3: Othaim Market
Group 4: Extra Store
Group 5: Jarir Bookstore
Group 6: LuLu Hypermarket
Group 7: Tamimi Markets
Group 8: Manuel Market
Note: Kindly ensure your group members have joined a single group only. Join your group on or
before the end of Week 2.

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Group Project Assignment Part 1
Submission: On or Before 1st March 2025 (End of Week 06)

Marks: 15

1. Company Profile (3 Marks).
Brief descriptions of the company, such as About the company, Products & Services, Vision
and Mission statement, and Organizational structure
2. Business Canvas Model of the company (3 Marks).
Design a business canvas model of the company and explain each element by writing at least
2-3 lines for each.
3. SWOT Analysis of the company (2 Marks).
Do the company’s SWOT analysis and explain each by writing at least 2-3 lines.

4. Core competencies of the company (2 Marks).
Write the core competencies of the company.

5. Types of Business Models (2 Marks).
Discuss the types of business models (B2B, B2C, C2C, Social Commerce, Local Commerce,
and M-Commerce) adopted by the company.

6. Challenges faced by the company (3 Marks).
List the key challenges the company faced/ is facing and discuss their impact on the company.

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Group Project Assignment Part 2
Submission: On or Before 26th April 2025 (End of Week 12)

Marks: 15

1. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of the company (3 Marks).
Do Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of the company.

2. Compare the business strategy of the company with one of its competitors
(3 Marks).
Select any one competitor of the company and do a comparison of their business strategies.

3. Suggestions to the company (3 Marks).
As a Project Intern, suggest your suggestions to the company.

4. Design a business plan for the company (3 Marks).
As a Project Intern, design a business plan/strategy to help the company increase its revenue by
suggesting the company start a new business unit or by launching a new product or service.

5. Learnings from this project (2 Marks).
Write any five key learnings after finishing this project.

6. References (1 Mark).
Write all the sources using the APA style of referencing. In case of a wrong referencing style,
your group will lose 1 mark. Learn how to refer to a website, article, and such sources.

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Group Project Assignment Part 3: Group Presentation submission & Group
Presentation
Submission: On or Before 26th April 2025 (End of Week 12)

Marks: 10

Make a PowerPoint presentation for your Group Project Assignment based on Part 1 and Part 2
work, mentioning all the stated contents, and upload it on Blackboard. For preparing the
PowerPoint presentation, there must be a minimum of 13 slides with a good background design,
readable font size, and style with the appropriate colour.
The presentation must have the following format with 13 slides
The first slide will be the cover page slide having Students’ names and Student Ids.
1. Cover Page Slide
2. Company Profile
3. Business Canvas Model of the company
4. SWOT Analysis of the company
5. Core competencies of the company
6. Types of Business Models
7. Challenges faced by the company
8. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of the company
9. Business strategies comparison with one of its competitors
10. Suggestions to the company.
11. Business plan for the company
12. Learnings from this project
13. References
Note: Group Project Assignment Part 3 (10 Marks = 5 Marks for Group Presentation submission &
5 Marks for Group Presentation in the class i.e. Virtual/F2F)
Presentation schedule:
(Week-13)

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See the sample of Assignment Part 3 Cover Page Slide

The first slide will be like this having Students’ names and Student IDs.

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Group Assignment Guidelines (use this as a checklist before your submission)
This is a group assignment in which each group should have members between 3 to 5 students.
Any one member from each group will submit an assignment over Blackboard within the stated
due date. Please be sure that you have enrolled yourself in a single group only. Kindly read the
below instructions:
S. No.
1

2
3
4
5
6

7
•
•
•
8

General Instructions
Plagiarism is a serious offense. Any kind of plagiarism will result in a mark of 0.
Say No to Plagiarism. There should be no plagiarism. Do not copy your answers from other
students’ answers or the internet. If you have visited any website for your understanding,
write the sources of the website/article under Reference.
Include the cover page with all information required. If you are not using or filling the cover
page, 1 mark will be deducted. Put a table of contents before the answer page.
The use of In-text citations in case of using others’ work. Ensure that you follow the APA style
in your project and references.
Your assignment length should be between 500 to 1000 words in total.
Proofread your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Your file should be saved as Word doc (No submission in PDF format)
Example: Your Group Number_ECOM421_Assignment Number .doc
Your Group Number_ECOM421_Assignment Number.doc
Your Group Number_ECOM421_Assignment Number. pptx
Formatting style elements
Use 1.5 line spacing and adjust it to all paragraphs (alignment).
Use the footer function to insert the page number.
Use black color for your answers.
Gentle reminder: As per the marking policy available on your blackboard, a deduction of 20%
will be applied due to the following reasons:
• Late submission
• Poor structure of the assignment/If the word count is incorrect or if the assignment has
multiple spelling, grammar, or punctuation issues.
• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited, and in case of copying answers either from the internet
or from any existing or previous students’ submissions will attract 00/15, i.e., Zero
marks.
• Kindly check for plagiarism before submitting the assignment.

“Plagiarism is Injurious to Good Grades.”
Good Luck!

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Answers

Table of Contents
Group Project Assignment Part 1

S. No.

Contents

Page
Number

1

Company Profile

2

Business Canvas Model

11,12,13

3

SWOT Analysis

14,15

4

Core competencies

16,17

5

Types of Business Models

18,19

6

Challenges faced by the company

20,21

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10

1. Company Profile
Panda Retail Company originated in 1978 as a grocery retailing company which operates
its headquarters from Saudi Arabia. Panda operates more than 188 stores across different
cities in Saudi Arabia through its position as The Savola Group subsidiary where it
functions as a leading retail chain in the Middle East.

Products & Services
Panda operates two main store formats consisting of Panda Supermarkets for daily
shopping needs and Panda Hypermarkets that provide wide array range of products.
Through Panda Supermarkets and Panda Hypermarkets the company runs its primary
outlet styles across Saudi Arabia. Panda expanded its business strategy through Pandati
convenience stores which provide services to residential neighborhood communities.

Vision and Mission Statement
Panda’ssik aims to become the ruling sustainable retail provider which persistently
delivers exceptional value to its communities through everyday innovations. The
organization aims to strengthen its coworkers and customers as well as communities
through value creation and well-being improvement to better their lifestyle quality.

Organizational Structure
The Panda Retail Company employs a team of strategic-minded experts who lead the
organization toward its essential objectives. Bander T. Hamooh leads Panda Retail
Company as CEO while Mohammed Khorshid works as CFO and Abdullah Al Sabban
serves as COO and Eric Bertrand Deliers serves as Chief Commercial Officer. The
preparatory team works together to maintain Panda’s retail operation standards along with
financial strength and a culture of continuous innovation improvement.

Through its membership in The Savola Group Panda obtains strategic advantages that
strengthen its supply chain operations and enhance marketing activities as well as the
company’s growth plans. The strategic association allows Panda to hold its lead position
in Saudi Arabian retail markets.

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2. Business Canvas Model
Panda Retail Company Business Canvas Model
The Business Canvas Model provides a structured perspective on Panda Retail Company’s
business strategy, highlighting the key elements driving its operations and success.
1. Customer Segments
Panda caters to various customer segments, including:
•

Households & Individuals: Providing daily groceries and household essentials.

•

Bulk Buyers: Businesses, restaurants, and institutions that purchase in large volumes.

•

Online Shoppers: Customers who prefer home delivery through Panda’s e-commerce
platform.

2. Value Proposition
•

Convenience & Accessibility: With 188 stores across Saudi Arabia, Panda ensures easy
access for customers.

•

Affordable Pricing: Competitive pricing, promotions, and discounts make shopping
budget-friendly.

•

Quality & Variety: Offering a diverse range of high-quality products, including fresh
produce, meat, bakery items, electronics, and household goods.

•

E-commerce & Home Delivery: A strong online platform enables customers to shop
from home and receive efficient deliveries.

3. Channels
•

Physical Stores: Includes hypermarkets, supermarkets, and Pandati convenience stores
across various locations.

•

Online Platform & Mobile App: An intuitive digital platform for placing online orders
and arranging home deliveries.

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•

Social Media & Advertising: Engaging customers through digital marketing,
promotions, and brand awareness campaigns.

4. Customer Relationships
•

Loyalty Programs: Offering exclusive discounts and rewards to loyal customers.

•

Customer Service & Support: Providing in-store and online customer assistance for
inquiries and complaints.

•

Personalized Shopping Experience: Using data analytics to tailor promotions and
product recommendations.

5. Revenue Streams
•

Retail Sales: The primary revenue source comes from selling groceries, household
goods, and electronics.

•

E-commerce Sales: Online orders and home delivery services contribute to revenue
growth.

•

Advertising & Promotions: Brands pay for premium shelf placement, in-store
advertisements, and digital marketing partnerships.

6. Key Resources
•

Retail Outlets & Logistics: A well-established store network and supply chain ensure
smooth operations.

•

Technology & E-commerce Infrastructure: Investment in digital platforms supports
efficient inventory management and online sales.

•

Human Resources: Skilled employees across all levels, from management to customer
service, drive operational excellence.

7. Key Activities
•

Retail Operations: Efficiently managing supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience
stores.

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•

Supply Chain & Inventory Management: Maintaining strong supplier relationships for
a steady product supply.

•

Marketing & Promotions: Running advertisements, loyalty programs, and seasonal
offers to attract customers (Setiawan, 2021).

8. Key Partnerships
•

Local & International Suppliers: Partnering with manufacturers and distributors to
ensure product availability.

•

Logistics & Delivery Companies: Collaborating with third-party logistics providers to
enhance home delivery services.

•

Technology Providers: Working with IT firms to maintain e-commerce platforms and
payment systems.

9. Cost Structure
•

Operational Costs: Expenses related to store maintenance, staff salaries, rent, and
utilities.

•

Supply Chain & Procurement Costs: Costs associated with stocking and distributing
products.

•

Marketing & Technology Investments: Spending on promotions, digital infrastructure,
and loyalty programs.

Panda Retail Company’s Business Canvas Model emphasizes its efficient operations, customerfocused approach, and ongoing expansion, solidifying its position as a leading retail chain in
Saudi Arabia.

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3. SWOT Analysis
The SWOT evaluation of Panda Retail Company examines both its market advantages and
internal abilities beside external risks and business opportunities.
1. Strengths
Strong Brand Presence: Panda functions as Saudi Arabia’s top retail chain and has established
itself across the nation through 188 stores.
Diverse Product Range: The company provides customers with diverse product ranges between
fresh groceries and household essentials and electronics and personal care items.
Wide Store Network & Accessibility: Panda manages their business through stores spanning
from hypermarkets to supermarkets and Pandati convenience stores which serve urban together
with residential areas.
Strong Supply Chain & Logistics: The Savola Group supplies Panda with efficient supply chain
management which allows the business to offer both steady product availability and competitive
pricing.
Digital & E-commerce Expansion: The company uses its investments toward online shopping
and home delivery services which provides customers with enhanced convenience features.
2. Weaknesses
High Operational Costs: The company incurs high running expenses because it operates different
types of retail stores while maintaining physical distribution centers and employs several workers
across all operations.
Intense Market Competition: The market share of Panda feels pressure from three main
supermarket competitors: Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, and Danube.
Dependence on Local Market: Since most of its operations maintain headquarters in Saudi
Arabia the company risks being affected by the local economic conditions and government
policies that change.
Limited International Presence: The Saudi market represents almost all of Panda’s business
operations thus Panda faces limits in its capacity to grow beyond the country.
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3. Opportunities
E-commerce Growth: More revenue will flow to the business as it expands its digital platforms
and delivery services against the backdrop of rising online shopping trends.
Expansion into New Markets: The expansion of Panda into additional domestic territories
together with foreign markets will help enhance its customer database.
Strategic Partnerships: The company can increase its business performance by forming
partnerships with regional as well as international business supply chains and transportation
companies along with technology platforms.
Sustainability & Health-conscious Trends: The implementation of green and organic products
alongside health-focused items provides an opportunity to win over a fresh set of customers.
4. Threats
Economic & Market Fluctuations: The economic conditions in Saudi Arabia combined with
inflation rates and consumer behavior transformations will affect the company’s sales numbers.
Regulatory & Compliance Challenges: The company could face challenges because government
policies together with taxation requirements and labor regulations will boost operational
expenses which will negatively affect profitability.
Competition from Local & International Retailers: The competitive threat to Panda’s market
standing exists because other companies offer strong pricing advantages and superior customer
service (Chopra, 2019).
Technological Disruptions: The company needs to invest heavily in digitization and automation
continuously to compete effectively against market developments in digital retail and
automation.
The SWOT analysis of Panda Retail Company demonstrates its dominant market position
together with expansion potentials but shows specific strategic areas which need attention as
precautions against upcoming obstacles.

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4. Core competencies
Panda Retail Company Core Competencies
Panda Retail Company has positioned itself as one of Saudi Arabia’s top supermarket chains by
leveraging key strengths that drive its success.
1. Strong Market Leadership & Brand Reputation
Panda is widely recognized as one of the most trusted retail brands in Saudi Arabia, with a large
and loyal customer base.
As a subsidiary of The Savola Group, it benefits from strong financial backing, ensuring longterm stability and growth.
2. Extensive Retail Network & Accessibility
With over 188 stores across 40+ cities, Panda is one of the largest grocery retailers in Saudi
Arabia.
It caters to different customer needs through multiple store formats, including hypermarkets,
supermarkets, and Pandati convenience stores.
3. Efficient Supply Chain & Inventory Management
Panda operates integrated logistics and distribution centers, ensuring a steady supply of products
to all its stores.
Strong supplier relationships and bulk purchasing allow the company to offer competitive pricing
while maintaining product availability.
4. Customer-Centric Approach & Loyalty Programs
Panda prioritizes a seamless shopping experience with high-quality customer service.
It offers exclusive promotions, discounts, and loyalty rewards to enhance customer retention and
satisfaction.

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5. E-commerce & Digital Transformation
The company has invested in online shopping platforms and mobile apps, making shopping more
convenient.
Home delivery and click-and-collect services provide added flexibility to modern consumers.
6. Product Diversity & Competitive Pricing
Panda offers a wide range of products, including fresh groceries, packaged goods, household
essentials, and electronics.
It focuses on affordable pricing strategies, making high-quality products accessible to a broad
customer base.
7. Innovation & Adaptability
Panda integrates self-checkout systems, digital payment options, and customer engagement
initiatives to enhance the shopping experience.
It stays ahead of changing consumer trends by offering organic, health-conscious, and ecofriendly products.

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5. Types of Business Models
Types of Business Models Adopted by Panda Retail Company
The business organization of Panda Retail Company implements multiple operational models to
reach various customer groups within their market area.
1. Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Model
Panda Retail Company conducts its primary business operations by connecting directly with
individual consumers through its supermarkets and Pandati convenience stores in addition to
hypermarkets.
The retail company enables customers to buy groceries together with household items and
electronics through physical locations and online channels.
2. Business-to-Business (B2B) Model
Panda operates as an enterprise which supplies bulk goods to companies that run eateries and
handles institutional sales.
The company provides business customers with wholesale pricing together with customized
supply solutions which guarantee consistent and cost-effective product procurement.
3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) Model (Limited Scope)
The main retail operation of Panda functions as a B2C business model yet it utilizes the C2C
model through referral programs along with marketplace partnerships.
4. Social Commerce
Panda conducts marketing promotions and engages customers and conducts sales campaigns
through its active use of social media platforms which include Instagram Twitter Facebook and
Snapchat.
Through live chats as well as social media contests and influencer marketing Panda enables
customers to engage with the brand so loyalty grows and sales volumes rise.

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5. Local Commerce
Panda directs its business operations toward neighborhood communities by placing outlets inside
residential neighborhoods combined with downtown locations. The company connects with local
suppliers and farms in order to offer customers fresh and locally sourced products.
6. Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce)
Panda created a user-friendly mobile application which allows customers to make convenient
smartphone-based transactions.
Customers can accomplish online grocery shopping and make digital payments while monitoring
delivery positions and getting tailored recommendations through their digital application.
Through their mobile application customers earn access to specific discounts that are unavailable
in-store and they can subscribe to receive discount alerts and promotional notifications.
Panda Retail Company implements B2C along with B2B and social commerce and local
commerce and M-commerce to serve various market sectors hence fueling business development
and maintaining operational excellence and customer engagement in Saudi Arabia’s retail
market.

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6. Challenges Faced by Panda Retail Company
Panda Retail Company operates as a Saudi Arabia-based commercial chain confronting multiple
operating obstacles that affect their performance level while also maneuvering customer
experiences.
1. Intense Market Competition
The Saudi Arabian retail sector operates within fierce competition because Carrefour and Lulu
Hypermarket joined by Danube and Tamimi Markets provide identical products alongside
equivalent services.
Price battles together with regular discounts create limited profit margins which prevents Panda
from establishing effective pricing methods while supporting its long-term development.
2. Rising Operational Costs
Operating 188 stores throughout the country demands substantial expenses to run stores that
include renting space as well as paying for utilities and employing staff along with supply chain
logistics and store upkeep.
Supply chain efficiency suffers from fuel and transportation price fluctuations that drive up the
ultimate price of products.
3. Digital Transformation & E-commerce Competition
E-commerce grocery shopping through platforms including Noon, Amazon and Carrefour online
now intensifies competition in the e-commerce sector.
Due to changes in consumer behavior Panda needs to develop its digital platforms along with
enhancing online shopping convenience through M-commerce solutions.
4. Changing Consumer Preferences
The modern consumer market demand for environmentally conscious organic products prompts
Panda to redesign its product line for better market competitiveness.
Panda needs to focus on personalized customer experiences and customized service for meeting
modern consumer needs with their business strategy.
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To maintain its market position Panda continues working on a strategy that combines additional
organic foods and health items with improved in-store ambiance and customer data analysis for
product understanding.
5. Supply Chain Disruptions & Inventory Management
The combination of international supply chain interruptions and shipping limitations and
transport problems creates problems with product access together with price instability.
The company faces market risks because it depends on suppliers operating both in Saudi Arabia
and abroad which exposes the business to changing market conditions and supply delivery
problems.
No longer does Panda keep on depending solely on importing their goods. Instead it focuses on
enhancing supplier partnerships as well as improving warehouse systems and acquiring local
products to decrease import reliance.
6. Economic & Regulatory Challenges
The factors of inflation combined with currency volatility and governmental taxation laws
directly influence both Saudi Arabian customers’ purchasing potential along with operational
expenses for the business.
Changing rules from the government and employee labor standards together with new policies in
the retail marketplace force Panda to adjust its compliance practices alongside its operational
planning.
The company handles these challenges through price model adjustments along with costreducing initiatives while maintaining full compliance with regulations to operate smoothly.

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References
Chopra, S. (2019). Supply chain management: Strategy, planning, and operation (7th ed.).
Pearson Education.
Daugherty, P. J., & Richey, R. G. (2019). The evolution and future of logistics and supply chain
management. Journal of Business Logistics, 40(1), 1-9.
Grewal, D., Roggeveen, A. L., & Nordfält, J. (2017). The future of retailing. Journal of
Retailing, 93(1), 1-6.
Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., & Setiawan, I. (2021). Marketing 5.0: Technology for humanity.
Wiley.
Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. The
Free Press.
Rigby, D. (2011). The future of shopping. Harvard Business Review, 89(12), 65-76.
Verhoef, P. C., Kannan, P. K., & Inman, J. J. (2015). From multi-channel retailing to
omnichannel retailing: Introduction to the special issue on multi-channel retailing. Journal of
Retailing, 91(2), 174-181.
Wrigley, N., & Lowe, M. (2010). The globalization of retailing. Taylor & Francis.

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