The Department is keen to develop the practical applications of business concepts by exploring events in the business world using up to the minute business case studies produced in-house. Guest speakers and factory visits will also form part of your programme of study. In recent times Business Studies students have visited Westwood Rocks in Guildford and the Morgan car factory in Malvern.

In September Business Studies students were treated to a very interesting talk by Mr J Pattison who works in the marketing department at Waitrose head office.  Talking about his career at Waitrose, and previously Sainsbury’s, he brought to life the role of both the marketing and buying departments.  This proved an excellent opportunity for students to understand how marketing theory is implemented in the very competitive food retail market.  It was particularly interesting to hear how product pricing and promotion strategies are used in order to maintain or increase market share.  Mr Pattison discussed a wide range of other topics including the importance of IT based systems in increasing competitiveness, and the practical impact of the cultural differences between Sainsbury’s which is a public limited company and Waitrose which is a division within the John Lewis Partnership.