A JOINT APPLICATION OF THE SWOT/PEST ANALYSIS FOR EVALUATING COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES IN THE RETAIL MERKET

摘要

This study aims to discuss and analyze strategies developed by two companies to protect their market share to front the threat of new competitors. A multiple case study was the method undertaken, and two companies were analyzed: a supermarket network and an educational institution. For the results to be analyzed a comparative study was developed, including the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and the environmental trends in which companies operate (PEST). The data from PEST was classified together with the SWOT analysis, creating a SWOT/PEST matrix for joint analysis of both methods. Consequently, it should be noted that the use of strategies based on strengthening the brand to protect one’s market is effective, since it is accompanied by actions that also focus on the variable price, specifically when new competitors adopt aggressive pricing policies.