Factors Affecting Retail Location Decisions – Macro and Micro Factors

Even though non store retailing is growing, most of the retailers are still selling  from retail store space. Some of these retailers are very small single-store  operators, and some are huge superstore discounters. Each location selected  resulted from an effort to satisfy the needs of the particular market each was  designed to serve. Whether it was the customer’s need for convenience, their  desire to do comparison shopping, the extent of the purchasing power in a market  area, of the transportation facilities available, many factors together led to the  development of different kinds of retail locations. There is an old saying that the  value of real estate is determined by three things: location, location, and location.  A wall street journal study looked at the largest store as measured by gross  sales of the twenty largest brands. Not surprisingly, in nearly every case, a unique  location was a major factor. Retail stores Continue reading

Maturity Gap Analysis and Duration Gap Analysis in IRR Calculation

Maturity Gap Analysis The simplest analytical techniques for calculation of IRR exposure begins with maturity Gap analysis that distributes interest rate sensitive assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet positions into a certain number of pre-defined time-bands according to their maturity (fixed rate) or time remaining for their next repricing (floating rate). Those assets and liabilities lacking definite repricing intervals (savings bank, cash credit, overdraft, loans, export finance, refinance from RBI etc.) or actual maturities vary from contractual maturities (embedded option in bonds with put/call options, loans, cash credit/overdraft, time deposits, etc.) are assigned time-bands according to the judgement, empirical studies and past experience of banks. A number of time bands can be used while constructing a gap report. Generally, most of the banks focus their attention on near-term periods, viz. monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or one year. It is very difficult to take a view on interest rate movements beyond a year. Continue reading

Behavioral Aspects of Budgeting

Budgetary control relies greatly on the individuals of a corporation. The human aspect in the budgetary system can be very complicated since the budgetary process involves relationships between different people within the corporation which includes the chief executive officer, managers and staff. Some times budgets affect people’s behaviors and vice versa. Thus the behavioral aspects of budgeting are of vital significance and consist of many different areas that high attention must be paid. First and foremost, we need to know the factors affecting the  behavioral aspects of budgeting, including: Budgets perceived by employees as being too difficult In situations that lack full participation of all levels in preparing for the budgets, the employees will perceive the budgets as being too difficult to follow. In addition, the punishment that comes along from failing to meet what this budgeted has a tendency to encourage staff’s attempts to beat the system. This greatly Continue reading

Fundamentals of Internal Auditing

What is  Internal Auditing? Internal Auditing  is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. Internal auditing is a catalyst for improving an organization’s governance, risk management and management controls by providing insight and recommendations based on analyses and assessments of data and business processes. With commitment to integrity and accountability, internal auditing provides value to governing bodies and senior management as an objective source of independent advice. The Institute of Internal Auditors has defined internal auditing as follows: “Internal auditing is the independent appraisal activity within an organization for the review of the accounting, financial and other operation as a basis for protective and constructive service to the management. It is a type of control, Continue reading

Classical Economics

Beginning with the ideas of Adam Smith (An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, 1750), including the ideas of David Ricardo, and ending approximately with John Stuart Mill (1850’s) the framework was established for classical economics. Mill in particular established the foundation for free trade in advocating individual libertarian autonomy rights which had the effect of limiting legislative authority in matters effecting the private economy.   In the context of 19th Century Europe, this argument makes much sense, monopolies had been granted to crown corporations for most major state projects and independent private business moguls were working toward respectability. In the context of our 21st Century corporate global climate the argument may validly be reversed. It can be argued that individual rights have the effect of lending legitimacy to legislation over matters effecting the private economy. Overall, the first classical theorists began the analysis of Continue reading

Definition of Inflation – Types of Inflation

Definition of Inflation Inflation is commonly understood as a situation of substantial and rapid general increase in the price level and consequent fall the value of money over a period of time. Inflation means persistent rise in the general level of prices. Inflation is a long term operating dynamic process. By and large, inflation is also a monetary phenomenon. It is usually characterized by an overflow of money and credit. In fact, the root cause of inflation is the expansion of money supply beyond the normal absorbing capacity of the economy. The behavior of general prices is measured through price indices. The trend of price indices reveals the course of inflation or deflation in the economy. Read More about Inflation: Causes and Effects of Inflation The Stages of Inflation Inflation in a Developing Economy Definition of Inflation by Different Economists There is no generally accepted definition of inflation and different Continue reading