UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
Jan/Feb 2021
MNG3701
Strategic Planning IIIA
70 Marks
3 Hours
Examiners:
First: Ms MH Mawila
Second: Mr R Tharaga
External: Ms S Hughes
This paper consists of 8 pages.
Instructions:
1. Answer all 4 questions.
2. Honesty Declaration:
Type ‘I AGREE’ (in full) before you upload your exam answer file.
3. Submitting your exam answer file:
Access myUnisa at https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal and login using your student
number and myUnisa password
1) Click on the “myAdmin” tab in the top navigation
2) Click on “Assessment Admin”
3) Click on “Assignments Submission”
4) Locate the section titled Jan/Feb Online Exams
5) Locate Module Code and Click on “>>open in new window” and follow the
instructions
4. The Invigilator App:
• Please remember to keep your cell phone fully charged for the duration of the
assessment.
• Please log into The Invigilator App if you have not done so yet. You need to be
connected to the internet in order to log in.
• Scan the QR code below once the examination starts. If you encounter difficulty with
scanning of the QR code, you can also enter the QR access code as indicated at
the bottom of the QR code to start the online invigilation.
, 2
MNG3701
Jan/Feb 2021
• Once the QR code is scanned, avoid any disturbances by putting your phone on
airplane mode. No internet connection is needed during the assessment.
• Keep the Invigilator app open at all times on your cell phone during the assessment.
• You may place your cell phone next to you. Your cell phone does not need to face
you however should be close enough to hear the notifications from The Invigilator
App.
• The Invigilator App will notify you when an action is required.
• In order to receive notifications do not put your cell phone on silent mode and ensure
media volume is turned up.
• When an action is required, a notification beep will be heard, and an instruction will
be visible.
• Please take note that once the examination time is over, firstly focus on scanning
and uploading your script to your assessment platforms. Uploading your script is
time sensitive.
• Once your script is uploaded on your assessment platform, you may switch on your
data to start the uploading process on The Invigilator app.
• Good Luck!
, 3
MNG3701
Jan/Feb 2021
Read the case study below and answer all the questions that follow.
Mr price (MRP) GROUP LTD
Background
Founders Stewart Cohen and Laurie Chiappini both started out on shop floors. When they met in autumn 1979
they established a relationship that evolved based on mutual trust and a positive vision. In early 1985 the
partners recognised factory shops as the future, but they did not have the money to establish one. They felt
clothing prices were too high and dreamt of a new kind of factory shop selling quality merchandise at
substantially lower prices. This would be a third-generation factory shop boasting attractive interiors, wanted
merchandise and incredible advertising, but a very low-cost structure to allow for low margins off high volumes.
The very first Mr Price Apparel stores were franchised because of their lack of funds. However, when John Orrs
Ltd, which also owned Miladys, was acquired in 1986 by Stewart and Laurie in partnership with a bank, the
listed company began opening Mr Price stores and acquiring the franchised stores. Alastair McArthur joined the
group as MD of Mr Price and the name of the company was changed over time to the Mr Price Group. Mr Price
stores were opened rapidly throughout South Africa and by 1995 there were 237 stores. In 1996 Sheet Street
was acquired and Mr Price Home stores and Mr Price Sport stores were established in 1998 and 2007
respectively.
Divisions
MRP MRP Sport Miladys MRP Home Sheet street MRP Money
532 stores 124 stores 232 stores 177 stores 313 stores _
Currently the group has 1 378 stores, it employs 19 707 knowledgeable, passionate & energized employees.
The group has an established Mr Price brand, which is regarded as the 17th most valuable brand in South
Africa. The group boasts customised systems, advanced e-commerce capabilities servicing 36 million website
visits and a highly merchandised 57 000m2 world class distribution centre.
Strategic Goal: To increase online presence.
Competitive advantage: Wanted items at “everyday low prices” – The group has managed to sustain its
competitive advantage over the years. The value model is the very core of the group’s existence and being a
fashion value retailer means lower mark-ups and selling higher volumes to offer excellent value with everyday
low prices. The group retails differentiated private label assortments that are dominant in the wanted fashion
items of the season. Our primary focus is providing our customers with the best price for the quality and fashion
Jan/Feb 2021
MNG3701
Strategic Planning IIIA
70 Marks
3 Hours
Examiners:
First: Ms MH Mawila
Second: Mr R Tharaga
External: Ms S Hughes
This paper consists of 8 pages.
Instructions:
1. Answer all 4 questions.
2. Honesty Declaration:
Type ‘I AGREE’ (in full) before you upload your exam answer file.
3. Submitting your exam answer file:
Access myUnisa at https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal and login using your student
number and myUnisa password
1) Click on the “myAdmin” tab in the top navigation
2) Click on “Assessment Admin”
3) Click on “Assignments Submission”
4) Locate the section titled Jan/Feb Online Exams
5) Locate Module Code and Click on “>>open in new window” and follow the
instructions
4. The Invigilator App:
• Please remember to keep your cell phone fully charged for the duration of the
assessment.
• Please log into The Invigilator App if you have not done so yet. You need to be
connected to the internet in order to log in.
• Scan the QR code below once the examination starts. If you encounter difficulty with
scanning of the QR code, you can also enter the QR access code as indicated at
the bottom of the QR code to start the online invigilation.
, 2
MNG3701
Jan/Feb 2021
• Once the QR code is scanned, avoid any disturbances by putting your phone on
airplane mode. No internet connection is needed during the assessment.
• Keep the Invigilator app open at all times on your cell phone during the assessment.
• You may place your cell phone next to you. Your cell phone does not need to face
you however should be close enough to hear the notifications from The Invigilator
App.
• The Invigilator App will notify you when an action is required.
• In order to receive notifications do not put your cell phone on silent mode and ensure
media volume is turned up.
• When an action is required, a notification beep will be heard, and an instruction will
be visible.
• Please take note that once the examination time is over, firstly focus on scanning
and uploading your script to your assessment platforms. Uploading your script is
time sensitive.
• Once your script is uploaded on your assessment platform, you may switch on your
data to start the uploading process on The Invigilator app.
• Good Luck!
, 3
MNG3701
Jan/Feb 2021
Read the case study below and answer all the questions that follow.
Mr price (MRP) GROUP LTD
Background
Founders Stewart Cohen and Laurie Chiappini both started out on shop floors. When they met in autumn 1979
they established a relationship that evolved based on mutual trust and a positive vision. In early 1985 the
partners recognised factory shops as the future, but they did not have the money to establish one. They felt
clothing prices were too high and dreamt of a new kind of factory shop selling quality merchandise at
substantially lower prices. This would be a third-generation factory shop boasting attractive interiors, wanted
merchandise and incredible advertising, but a very low-cost structure to allow for low margins off high volumes.
The very first Mr Price Apparel stores were franchised because of their lack of funds. However, when John Orrs
Ltd, which also owned Miladys, was acquired in 1986 by Stewart and Laurie in partnership with a bank, the
listed company began opening Mr Price stores and acquiring the franchised stores. Alastair McArthur joined the
group as MD of Mr Price and the name of the company was changed over time to the Mr Price Group. Mr Price
stores were opened rapidly throughout South Africa and by 1995 there were 237 stores. In 1996 Sheet Street
was acquired and Mr Price Home stores and Mr Price Sport stores were established in 1998 and 2007
respectively.
Divisions
MRP MRP Sport Miladys MRP Home Sheet street MRP Money
532 stores 124 stores 232 stores 177 stores 313 stores _
Currently the group has 1 378 stores, it employs 19 707 knowledgeable, passionate & energized employees.
The group has an established Mr Price brand, which is regarded as the 17th most valuable brand in South
Africa. The group boasts customised systems, advanced e-commerce capabilities servicing 36 million website
visits and a highly merchandised 57 000m2 world class distribution centre.
Strategic Goal: To increase online presence.
Competitive advantage: Wanted items at “everyday low prices” – The group has managed to sustain its
competitive advantage over the years. The value model is the very core of the group’s existence and being a
fashion value retailer means lower mark-ups and selling higher volumes to offer excellent value with everyday
low prices. The group retails differentiated private label assortments that are dominant in the wanted fashion
items of the season. Our primary focus is providing our customers with the best price for the quality and fashion
