LEARN MARKETING Learn Marketing Facebook link Learnmarketing.net Instagram page link Learnmarketing link

Welcome to LearnMarketing.net

Ansoff Matrix

Introduction

A common tool used within marketing was developed by Igor Ansoff in 1957. He suggested that a business has the potential to grow by using one of four strategies. These strategies involve making the most of existing markets and products, introducing new products, or entering new target markets.


The Ansoff Matrix diagram below summarises Ansoff four strategies for growth.

diDiagram of Ansoff's Matrix

1. Ansoff Matrix : Market Penetration

This involves increasing sales of an existing product and penetrating the market further by promoting the product heavily or reducing prices to increase sales. This strategy has the lowest risk strategy as the firm knows the product and the market. Market penetration is often used by supermarkets and large retail chains.

2. Ansoff Matrix:Product Development

The business introduces new products into existing markets with the aim of selling the new product to existing customer groups. For example Microsoft with their new Xbox One X 4k game console have added 4k capabilities to their console. This is an example of a new feature which has been added onto the existing model aimed at the existing market. Product Development is a medium risk strategy as the business is familiar with the market.

3. Ansoff Matrix: Market Development

Under a market development strategy a firm sells existing products to new markets. For example a sandwich shop which is doing well in one area, expands and opens another sandwich shop in a different region. Through market development our sandwich shop has the potential to become a national chain. There are different ways to define new markets including different locations for sales to aiming products at different customer groups (age, background, interests, income).

4. Ansoff Matrix: Diversification

Diversification involves selling new products to new markets. For example if a business which usually sells food to families, decides it would like to sell cars to single men it would be diversifying. Diversification is a high risk strategy as the business is unfamiliar with the product and the target market. However as it also has the potential to produce the highest rewards many businesses are prepared to take the risk.

Conclusion

Ansoff's matrix enables businesses to decide growth strategy based on products and the markets that the products are aimed at. Under the matrix they have the option to stick with the markets and products they know (market penetration) or change either their market involvement (market extension) or the product (product development). For those prepared to take risks for potentially larger rewards there is the option of diversification into new products and markets.

 

Studying Business Management visit www.learnmanagement2.com