Learning Goal: I’m working on a business writing question and need guidance to h

Learning Goal: I’m working on a business writing question and need guidance to help me learn.Hello I need a intro paragraph to the opportunities and threats each paragraph 100-150 wordsThen we have a recommendation area I need 300-400 words about what the company can do to help over come the threats and use the opportunities to do so Here is what I have so far for reference Please provide and references OPPORTUNITIESE-commerceCostco operates in an already saturated retail industry. According to Statista (2021c), the industry will experience a 6% growth between 2018 and 2022. This, combined with the drop in people’s disposable income, means that there are fewer market growth opportunities in Costco’s sector (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2021). However, one niche that has been experiencing tremendous growth over the years entails e-commerce. E-commerce will grow by 15% in 2022 alone (Statista, 2021b). The main reason for this growth trend entails a combination between digital acceleration and the convenience that E-commerce provides to consumers. For example, compared to the traditional brick and mortar stores where the consumer has to walk into the store, through E-commerce, consumers can order goods from the comfort of their homes through their devices. This saves them time and money. In addition, E-commerce outlets have a significant cost advantage as they do not incur the substantial rental charges associated with brick and mortar stores, and this advantage is passed on to consumers as a discount.For Costco, E-commerce is an underutilized niche. The company’s market share of the US retail E-commerce sector only stands at partly1.6% (Statista, 2021e). Therefore, with fewer opportunities for growth in the primary retail industry, there is an opportunity for market growth in this fast-growing niche. The firm can extend its membership model to E-commerce, whereby subscribers can either shop online or physically. In this way, it can acquire more consumers while retaining its current consumers. Also, E-commerce provides the brand with the opportunity to offer more value to its consumers. The wholesale model enables consumers to purchase in bulk at discounted prices. Therefore, with E-commerce further reducing Costco’s costs, the firm can provide additional discounts to its consumers. Consequently, this will further enhance its price competitiveness, a significant strength the firm possesses. Therefore, this is an area Costco can explore to improve its growth.Shipping ServicesAnother opportunity for Costco regards the improvement of its customer service. The brand’s success is a testament to the value it offers its members. According to Statista (2021a), Costco ranked first in customer satisfaction among other major retail stores in 2020. Therefore, with improved customer service, the brand can attain further success. One of the ways Costco can improve its customer service is by introducing delivery services to consumers’ doorsteps. The brand lacks such services preferring a no-frills approach in its stores as a cost reduction measure. As a result, Costco’s clientele has to either drive to the store or engage a third-party delivery service.However, if the brand is to retain its existing clientele and attract more, it needs to improve its consumers’ services. Introducing such a service will add extra convenience to consumers, enhance their satisfaction with the brand, and make them more willing to purchase from the retailer. In addition, as Cudby (2020) states, one element essential to customer retention and loyalty entails customer satisfaction. A key determinant of customer satisfaction is excellent customer service that anticipates and meets consumer needs. Costco is well aware of the importance of customer brand loyalty. The brand’s success has been built on having a loyal customer base, with the company having a membership of over 100 million members who annually subscribe to its wholesale services. Therefore, introducing such a service will be in line with the brand’s strategy of ensuring customer retention and loyalty.THREATSCompetitionCostco faces stiff competition from solid players in the retail industry, each with distinct capabilities and competitive advantages. As Dumas (2021) points, the brand dominates in its wholesale warehouse segment, holding a 55% market share. However, it faces stiff competition in this niche from Walmart, one of the most successful brands in the US. Costco trails other industry players in the broader retail sector, such as Walmart, the leading retail store brand, and Amazon, the leading e-commerce retailer. Walmart’s main strength is its brand name and strong customer base. Additionally, the brand also has critical capabilities that give it a competitive advantage. The brand captures consumers through multiple channels whereby it combines brick and mortar stores and E-commerce. On the other hand, Amazon dominates the E-commerce retail sector, holding 50% of the market share in this segment (Statista, 2021d). In addition, the brand has unrivaled capabilities in E-commerce, such as a great online platform and excellent door-to-door deliveries. In addition, these brands have substantial marketing budgets to boost their market visibility. This contrasts Costco, whose strategy entails a limited marketing budget and instead focuses on price competitiveness. Therefore, as can be observed, these brands pose a considerable threat to Costco’s market position and overall success.Shifting Consumer Preferences` E-commerce is gaining traction in the retail sector, disrupting the once traditional brick and mortar stores. According to Deloitte (2021), there is a shift in consumer behavior with a new preference for online engagements amongst consumers. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to this digital commerce acceleration, with the stay-at-home orders enacted to contain it forcing people to shop online. In addition, experts anticipate this trend to be a mainstay with consumers appreciating the convenience that E-commerce offers them. However, Costco lags regarding its adoption of E-commerce. The brand’s primary sales channel is its physical warehouse stores. However, with online shopping fast becoming the consumer’s preferred purchase channel, Costco’s future sustainability is significantly compromised. Successful brands are those that adapt to shifting consumer needs and preferences (Cudby, 2020). Therefore, it is vital that the brand acknowledges this disruption effect of E-commerce and adapts to these changes. In this way, it can guarantee long-term success.