Tesco - can it retain its position as the top retailer in the UK? You are required to develop an analysis of Tesco, demonstrating a critical analysis of the organisational strategy and the future direction of this organisation. Students are expected to use academic models and frameworks studied during this module in the development of their analysis. The analysis should address the following tasks: 1. Critically discuss the strategy that Tesco is pursuing. Consideration should be given to their strategic focus - their priorities for developing their business. Students are to carry out a documentary analysis of the available data from the chosen organisation. The following examples of data could be used: annual reports, financial data, plans, news analysis, articles, etc. The focus of the critical discussion is to determine the deliberate and realised strategy of the organisation with considerations for its successes and failures. Such considerations should be supported by the analysis of the planned and achieved performance indicators. 2. Critically evaluate the key business environment challenges (external and internal) that may affect strategy at Tesco. Based on your evaluation, conclude how successful the business is or can be in addressing these challenges. Hint: Inflationary pressures (driven by Covid-19, Brexit and the Ukraine war), should be a part of the analysis when discussing external challenges - and how they shape internal ones. Students are expected to produce a chronological timeline indicating the key events and their impact on the organisation and its strategy. It should be supported by a detailed analysis and an assessment of the challenges faced by the organisation. Students are asked to track the patterns of strategic action and decision making. The conclusion about the successes/failures of organisational responses to the environmental factors should be supported by credible data. 3. Based on the critical discussion and evaluation in tasks 1 and 2, conclude whether the present strategy of Tesco is achievable or not. Support your opinion with a range of academic frameworks. Students are expected to critically discuss the sustainability of the company's competitive advantage and its strategic direction over the long term. 4. Develop and critically discuss a strategic option that Tesco could choose to ensure their success in the future. Critically discuss a range of implementation issues for the selected option, giving considerations for impact, timescale and ownership within the organisation Students must be clear in differentiating strategic options from operational plans, strategic from tactical and long-term strategic intent from the short-term moves. Students are expected to develop a range of implementation issues with in-depth considerations to do with the practical implementation of the option selected. These could include the following: implementation processes, change initiatives, organisational dynamics, culture, politics, stakeholder negotiations, availability of resources, timescale and potential outcomes of the implementation, etc