practice-questions

Assess two ways an independent record store could build a strong brand identity to gain customer loyalty (8)

• Pre-release link: Indie retailers rely on events like Record Store Day and community “feel”

• Syllabus link

  • 1.3.2 Branding and promotion

  • 1.3.5 Marketing strategy

Assess how knowledgeable and passionate staff in HMV stores can enhance customer experience and brand loyalty (8)

• Pre release link: HMV focuses on “experiential” retail and invests in staff expertise.

• Syllabus link

  • 1.4.4 Motivation in theory

  • 1.1.3 Market positioning

Assess the importance of controlling operational costs for a boutique festival such as Brackenwood (8)

• Pre-release link: Brackenwood faces variable costs, including last-minute infrastructure changes

• Syllabus link

  • 2.2.4 Budgets

  • 2.4.1 Production, productivity, efficiency (cost control)

Assess how the rise in vinyl demand could influence stock management decisions for major music retailers such as HMV

• Pre-release link: Physical inventory management for vinyl pressings vs. declining CD sales

• Syllabus link

  • 2.4.3 Stock control

  • 1.1.1 The market (dynamic changes)

Assess how HMV’s diversification into live events, merchandise and apparel might help it to maintain competitiveness in a streaming‑focused market

• Pre-release link: HMV’s “experiential” approach aims to differentiate from streaming services

• Syllabus link

  • 3.1.2 Theories of corporate strategy (diversification)

  • 3.2.1 Growth objectives

Assess how boutique festivals might address the challenge of rising artist fees and security costs

• Pre-release link: Smaller festivals face competition from larger events with bigger budgets

• Syllabus link

  • 3.2.4 Reasons for staying small

  • 3.1.1 Corporate objectives

Assess the opportunities for UK record labels in using social media platforms to launch local artists onto global streaming charts

• Pre-release link: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts can drive international exposure

• Syllabus link

  • 4.2.1 Conditions prompting trade (pull factors)

  • 4.2.2 Assessment of a country as a market

Assess how the global popularity of streaming may affect UK‑based festival promoters trying to attract overseas visitors and international sponsors

• Pre-release link: Festivals compete globally for artists and audiences, building brand presence abroad

• Syllabus link

  • 4.3.1 Global marketing strategy

  • 4.4.1 Impact of MNCs (global competition)

Assess the extent to which improved staff training at HMV could boost employee motivation and store sales

• Pre-release link: HMV’s strategy to make in‑store shopping an experience

• Syllabus link

  • 1.4.2 Recruitment, selection, training

  • 1.4.4 Motivation in theory

Assess the effectiveness of independent record shops’ niche marketing techniques in attracting customers in a streaming-dominated market

• Pre-release link: “We don’t just sell records; we sell a sense of community”

• Syllabus link

  • 1.1.1 Mass vs. niche markets

  • 1.3.5 Marketing strategy

Assess how robust financial planning could help smaller festivals like Brackenwood achieve long‑term viability

• Pre-release link: Weather and last-minute logistics can disrupt budgets severely

• Syllabus link

  • 2.1.4 Planning (business plans, cash-flow)

  • 2.3.3 Business failure

Assess the significance of production and distribution costs to record labels’ long-term profitability

• Pre-release link: Rising interest in vinyl vs. potential plateau in demand

• Syllabus link

  • 2.3.1 Profit (costs vs. revenue)

  • 2.4.3 Stock control (fulfilling vinyl demand)

Assess how HMV’s corporate objectives may conflict with short‑term cost‑cutting measures

• Pre-release link: HMV invests in in‑store events, staff wages, and exclusives

• Syllabus link

  • 3.1.1 Corporate objectives

  • 3.1.2 Porter’s Strategic Matrix / corporate strategy

Assess the extent to which collaborations with sponsors and local communities could help boutique festivals cope with rising operational costs

• Pre-release link: Festivals face growing security fees, artist demands, and logistics bills

• Syllabus link

  • 3.6.1 Causes and effects of change

  • 3.1.2 Ansoff’s Matrix (joint ventures/partnerships)

Assess how understanding viral social media trends could support a UK music retailer to target international audiences online

• Pre-release link: TikTok can spark global interest in local tracks

• Syllabus link

  • 4.3.1 Global marketing strategies

  • 4.2.1 Conditions prompting trade

Assess the potential benefits and drawbacks for UK festivals of partnering with international headliners and sponsors

• Pre-release link:Large festivals in the UK already attract worldwide fans, but cost and complexity rise

• Syllabus link

  • 4.2.4 Reasons for global mergers or joint ventures

  • 4.4.1 Impact of MNCs

Assess how a strong brand identity could help smaller independent record shops to attract customers, despite the popularity of streaming

• Pre-release link: Independent record stores focus on community, hosting live events, and limited-edition vinyl to stand out

• Syllabus link

  • 1.3.2 Branding and promotion (building a brand)

  • 1.1.3 Market positioning (competitive advantage)

Assess the importance of careful budgeting for a small festival like Brackenwood

• Pre-release link: Brackenwood’s budget is affected by last-minute infrastructure changes and tight finances

• Syllabus link

  • 2.2.4 Budgets (purpose and difficulties)

  • 2.5.3 The competitive