CXC
PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS/ACCOUNTS
SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT
CENTRE NUMBER: 100161
SCHOOL: Bishop Gibson High School for Girls
TERRITORY: Jamaica
TEACHER: Ms. J. Brown
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Topic …………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Objectives ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Background/Overview ………………………………………………………………………… 5
Methodology ………………………………………………………………………………....... 6
Presentation and Analysis of Data …………………………………………………………… 7-12
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………. 14
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………………….
15
Appendix
Questionnaire ………………………………………………………………………………16-17
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TOPIC
An investigation on the factors that causes a rapid decline on online sales for Crochet by SLB.
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OBJECTIVES
1. To identify the factors that affect the decline in sales online for Crochet by SLB.
2. To discuss factors that affect the performance of Crochet by SLB.
3. To recommend strategies to boost the online performance in sales of Crochet by SLB.
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BACKGROUND
“Crochet By SLB” is a partnership enterprise that is located in the parish of St. Elizabeth and
deals with the selling of clothes made from crochet. Crochet By SLB is engaged in the retailing
of high quality and fashionable clothing. The mission statement of the business is “Crochet by
SLB aims to expand throughout Jamaica, then the Caribbean with the help of our valued
customers.” The business has been operating smoothly online over past two (2) years and three
(3) years in store. Two weeks before the 2nd year anniversary the business noticed the rapid
decrease in their online sales.
The researchers selected this topic to gather meaningful information about the factors that affect
the performance of the online sales of the business. Crochet by SLB operates to meet the needs
of women in society. It is the researchers desire to operate their own business in the future and
completing this research will equip us with strategies effective to the smooth operation of a
business both online and in store.
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METHODOLOGY
To collect the necessary data required the researchers used both primary and secondary methods
of data collection. The primary data used are questionnaire and an observation of the business’
online platform, while the secondary data is a business textbook.
A questionnaire is a set of printed or written questions used to gather data from respondents
about the experiences, opinions etc. about a certain topic. We used a questionnaire that consist of
ten (10) close-ended questions and was issued to twenty (20) customers who have purchased
online from Crochet by SLB. This method of data collection was selected because it was easier
and cheaper as it was distributed online.
An up-to-date Business textbook was used as it aided in providing a description of the factors
that affect a business. This source provided us with the various marketing strategies and what
takes place in each.
An observation of the business’ online platform was essential for our research. This observation
gave us insight on some factors that have affected customers.
The limitations that were encountered with the primary source of information ranged from time
consuming because the responses were not returned in time and dishonesty as customers
provided incorrect information about the brand. The textbook had its limitations also as certain
information found was difficult to interpret.
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PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
The pie chart below shows the reasons customers have stopped shopping at Crochet by SLB.
(Customers response according to questionnaire).
Causes of decreased
online sales
The product price
Number of
customers
8
The quality of the
product
The marketing strategies
7
Shipping time and price
2
3
Figure 1.0. Why did you stop shopping online
at Crochet by SLB?
10%
The product price
15%
40%
The quality of the product
The marketing strategies
The shipping time and price
35%
According to the data received, figure 1.0 illustrates the causes of decreased online sales.
40% of the respondents deem the product price as a major cause as to why they stopped
purchasing online from Crochet by SLB. The price might have been too expensive for the quality
of the clothing they would have received. In association to the quality of the product 35% of the
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respondents stopped shopping online due to this factor. Research shows that 15% of the
respondents thought that the business does not take a suitable approach to the various marketing
strategies used. The shipping time and price affected 10% of the respondents and it caused them
to stop shopping online from Crochet by SLB.
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Are the prices reasonable at Crochet by SLB? The data is exhibited below.
Are the prices reasonable
online?
Yes
No
Depends on the type clothing
Definitely not
Number of
Customers
2
4
5
9
Figure 1.1. Are the prices reasonable online
at Crochet by SLB?
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Yes
No
Yes
No
Depends on the type of
clothing
Depends on the type of clothing
Definitely not
Definitely not
Figure 1.1 depicts the responses to the question “Are the prices reasonable online at
Crochet by SLB?” 2 out of 20 respondents selected Yes as they thought the prices are
reasonable. No was selected by 4 out of 20 respondents. 5 out of 20 persons selected Depends on
the type of clothing as they thought the prices vary for each piece of clothing. Definitely not was
selected by 9 out of 20 respondents as they have opinionated that the prices are really not
reasonable online at Crochet by SLB.
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A pie chart showing errors encountered while shopping online at Crochet by SLB.
Defaults encountered
while shopping online
Technical glitches
Package is shipped to
incorrect addresses
Payment errors
Viruses on the website
Number of
Customers
4
8
2
6
Figure 1.2.What are some defaults that you
have encountered while shopping on the
business’ online platform?
Technical glitches
30%
20%
Package is shipped to incorrect
address
Payment errors
10%
40%
Viruses on the website
Figure 1.2 explores defaults on the business’ online platform encountered by customers.
20% of the customers expressed that they encounter technical glitches. 40% of the customers
have gotten their packages shipped to the wrong addresses. Payment errors were encountered by
10% of the customers. Online shopping from Crochet by SLB’s website has caused viruses on
the 30% of the customers’ device.
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A pie chart showing recommendations from the customers.
Recommendations for Crochet by
SLB
Offer discounts, promotions, and
packages
Use social media to promote the
business’ special offers
Enable customers to track their
packages
Use better quality photography for
products
Number of
Customers
6
3
7
4
Figure 1.4. What are some recommendations
that you would give to Crochet by SLB to
increase their online sales?
20%
35%
Offer discounts, promotions and
packages
30%
15%
Use social media to promote the
business’ special offers
Enable customers to track their
packages
Use better quality photography for
products
As depicted in figure 1.4, 35% of the customers think that Crochet by SLB can increase
their online sales by enabling customers to track their packages. 30% of the respondents think
that the business can increase their online sales by offering discounts, promotions and packages.
20% of the customers deem that the business can use better quality photography for the review of
products as the quality of the photograph has a big impact on the decisions of the customers.
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Research shows that social media can be used to promote the business’ special offers by 15% of
the customers.
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CONCLUSION
After intensive research on the online sales for “Crochet by SLB,” it can be concluded by
using a questionnaire and graphs to analyze, price and quality are leading factors that caused the
rapid decline in online sales at Crochet by SLB. Technical glitches and viruses are some of the
problems encountered by online customers at Crochet by SLB. Customers have suggested ways
in which the business can increase the sales online such as, enabling customers to track their
packages and offering discounts, promotions and packages. Additionally, majority of the
customers think that online shopping at Crochet by SLB is more reliable than instore.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The researchers recommend the following:
✓ “Crochet by SLB should adopt other marketing strategies such as using competitive or
persuasive advertising on social media.
✓ Improve customer service instore to maximize sales.
✓ They could offer discounts and attract new customers.
✓ By enabling customers to track their packages, customers will have a sense of security
and they will know the exact location and status of their packages.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Book
✓ Robinson, Karlene and Hamil, Sybile. CXC: Principles of Business with SBA, Study
Guide and Exercises. Kingston, Jamaica: Carlong Publishers, 2001.
2. Websites
✓ https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/growth-strategies/8-tips-for-running-a-successfulonline-business/280600
✓ https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketingsales/marketing/activities/sales-
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APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
Please complete all questions attached below. YOUR INFORMATION WILL REMAIN
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
1. What is the age of the respondent?
14-16
17-19
20-22
23+
2. What led you to Crochet by SLB’s online platform?
a) Promotion from a friend
b) Social Media Advertisement
c) Recommendation
d) Admiration of the products
3. Why did you stop shopping online at Crochet by SLB?
a) The product price.
b) The quality of the product
c) The marketing strategies
d) The shipping time and price
4. What factors influence you to shop online at Crochet by SLB?
a) Price
b) Brand Loyalty
c) Quality
d) Your taste in Fashion
5. Are the prices reasonable online at Crochet by SLB?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Depends on the type of clothing.
d) Definitely not
6. Do you think the products are of high quality?
a) Yes
b) No
7. Is in-store better and more reliable than online?
a) In-store is more reliable than online
b) Online is better than In-store.
8. Why do you purchase online from Crochet by SLB?
a) The customer service is terrible in store.
b) It is more reliable.
c) Personal issues
d) It is cheaper than instore.
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9. What are some defaults that you have encountered while shopping on the business’
online platform?
a) Technical glitches
b) Package is shipped to incorrect addresses.
c) Payment errors
d) Viruses on the website
10. What are some recommendations that you would give to Crochet by SLB to increase
their online sales?
a) Offer discounts, promotions, and packages.
b) Use social media to promote the business’ special offers.
c) Enable customers to track their packages.
d) Use better quality photography for products.
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