Highlighting Key Strategic Marketing Issues of DELVE DESSERTS
Highlighting Key Strategic Marketing Issues of DELVE DESSERTS
HIRANI (13145)
Executive Summary
This project is on Delve Desserts by Shan foods. During the course of this project we will discuss the strategic issues faced by Delve as well as the alternative strategies given by us to solve those problems. Key competitors of Delve are contemporary powdered desserts offered by Rafhan and National. Delve product line consists of custard, pudding and jelly The strategic issue to be dealt with is that despite being associated with Shan Foods, Delve failed to achieve the desired positioning resulting in low brand recognition and failed product launch We have provided detailed critics of why Delve failed which include wrong positioning, limited/exclusive distribution and low brand recognition because of insufficient promotion. The purpose of this report is to provide a strategic solution to make Delve successful
It began as a cottage industry in 1981 by Sikandar Sultan who is the CEO of the company.
In 2000 Shan fortified its sales with local penetration in the central and northern regions of Pakistan and officially launched in India in 2004. After few years it started to explore international market and within a decade it started exporting to 25 countries, which also includes UK, USA, Europe and the Middle East. Its success can be attributed to its ability to continually identify and respond to the changing consumer needs through Research and Development, stringent Quality Assurance standards and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Shan Foods is a Shariah Compliant business where Shariah guides the business operations.
Delve
Launched as premium quality dessert brand by Shan foods on 3rd august 2011
It was another milestone, which includes variety of rich, creamy and flavoursome ranges of Custard, Jelly and one Pudding variant.
Reason: Provide contemporary dessert range as opposed to Pakistani traditional desserts and to diversify into non- masala categories as a true food company. Delve was a success from the word go and is now available in 7,000 shops in Karachi. Of Shans overall marketing budget, 20% is allocated on Delve brand. Delve has currently market share of 10%
Shan sensed this opportunity and wanted to occupy that spot by differentiating in the taste of this product and that of the market leader.
Shan was to evolve as a true global foods company. And Delve is just a step towards achieving this goal.
Contemporary desserts Frozen desserts (Eg. ice cream, flavored yogurt) PRODUCT Confectionary items (Eg. Pasteries, chocolates) TYPE Powdered desserts (Eg. custard) Custard Jelly PRODUCT VARIANT Pudding
CATEGORY PROFILE
TRADITIONAL DESSERTS CONTEMPORARY DESSERTS
Kheer
Cakes Tarts
Halwa
Vermicelli Sweets(Rasmalai, gulab jamaun etc)
Custard
Pudding etc.
Market share- 3%
Market share- 7%
Price Comparisons
Product SKUs offerings
Custard 300 gm 100 gm 80 gm 80 gm
Jelly Pudding
THE 6 Ps Of Marketing
The idea was to offer a range of rich, creamy and flavorsome dessert that is Simply Wow. Target Market: Mothers and kids (aged between 7-14years old). Apart from that, custards and puddings are more commonly served in festive occasions. Positioning: It is positioned as a premium brand. Pricing: Competitor-based pricing (Rafhan). Place: The distribution network for Delve includes International modern trade stores like Hyperstar and local modern trade stores like naheed, imtiaz etc.
6 Ps (contd)
Promotion: Delve was promoted through ATL activities (hoardings,
TVCs, billboards) and BTL activities (taste trials at malls and stores). Packaging: Delve package is ink blue in color. The company spent almost a year on the packaging to ensure that it was modern, up market and very international in look and feel. The result is dark blue boxes with the red and yellow Delve logo. These no doubt stand out on the shelf, but are also reminiscent of packaging used by Foster Clark for its dessert range
BRAND STATUS
DELVE stands for Quality Taste Convenience Trust Perfection Aroma
Sales force has pressurized the company to incorporate Shan logo on the packages since the response hasnt been satisfactory.
Export market also suggests that associating Shan with Delve could make a great impact on target markets purchase behavior. Shan logo is expected to appear on the new packages.
Apart from this, no step is being taken to deal with the issue.
STRATEGIC ISSUE
Despite being a high quality product Delve failed to achieve the desired positioning resulting in low brand recognition/awareness
PROPOSED STRATEGY
BRANDING Revamping the brand
By
BRAND IDENTITY
Since there is little brand recognition for Delve and majority of the target audience are not aware of the fact that Delve is a contemporary dessert range by Shan Foods To give Delve a known identity it will be re-launched under the banner of Shan Foods in promotions and packaging, to communicate the message of great taste and quality product
At the end of every communication message Delve by Shan will be played to register the brand in the minds of the target audience On the pack, Shan logo will be added to aid in public recognition. Shan Foods is a brand known for its taste and quality, when Delve is associated with Shan, people will perceive it to be of high quality as they have other Shan products in mind
BRAND BUILDING
BRAND AWARENESS
PROMOTION
To create brand awareness and increase brand recall communication will take place through advertisements, making the product more appealing for the target market especially the influencers (children), and the trusted name of Shan will be associated with Delve to crate a quality image of the brand.
Billboards at heavy traffic and high visibility sites around the city to entice customers and create awareness about Delve by Shan Communicate the brand through new media activities, Delve facebook page to create a buzz. This page will indulge and engage users through quick & easy dessert making recipes and tips.
Launch a Delve Dessert Book, Delve Dessert Treats, including all the desserts that can be made by Delves contemporary desserts range. It will consist of the innovative ways Delve can be used to make delightful and delicious desserts on different occasions conveniently
DELVE DESSERT TREATS
Sponsoring cooking shows and endorsements by experts, such as Zubaida Apa and Bushra Ansari, will create brand awareness and reinforce Delve in the minds of the target market
Enter into strategic alliances with airlines and restaurants to incorporate Delve Dessert mixes in their dessert such as trifles, puddings etc. to increase the customer base
DISTRIBUTION
Delve will be available in all retail stores across the city, from big departmental stores to every store around the nook of the street. No selective distribution positioning the brand as a product for all and not as a premium product available at limited stores This will induce the devoted/loyal customers of Shan to try their desert range at affordable price
Shan Foods offers not only one food brand but a Complete Food Solution ranging from Masalas to Desserts