UKTM1013 Principles of Marketing
UKTM1013 Principles of Marketing
UKTM1013 Principles of Marketing
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Company’s Name: Xing Ji Food Trading Sdn Bhd
Students’ Details
Marks Marks
No. Assessment Criteria
Allocation Given
3 SWOT Analysis 10
4 Recommendations 20
5 Conclusion 10
Total Marks 60
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1
2.1. Product............................................................................................................. 3
4. Recommendations ............................................................................................... 8
5. Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 12
References .............................................................................................................. 13
Appendices ............................................................................................................. 17
The business itself is a grocery shop that distinguishes itself from others in the
area by focusing completely on the sale of pork, establishing itself as a niche provider
in the local market. However, its products go beyond pork to include a wide range of
everyday necessities consisting of poultry, vegetables, and different staples. It is worth
mentioning that it also maintains its pig ranch in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, from
which it sources its pork; hence, integrating pork production as a vital component of
its business, see 2.1 - Product. This vertical integration offers the company control
over its pork supply, from farm to shelf, assuring quality and traceability for customers
(Yuan et al., 2022, p. 241).
1
Figure 1
Management Structure of Xing Ji Food Trading Sdn Bhd
Owner
Tan Sou Sing
Secretary
Chia Hsiao
Qing
Note. This figure demonstrates the organisational structure of Xing Ji Food Trading
Sdn Bhd, according to the information provided by the business’s owner, Tan Sou Sing.
2
2. Marketing Mix Strategies
2.1. Product
Xing Ji has many varieties of meat as well as retail food products on its roster.
Their products fall under the categories of pork, chicken, and frozen foods. Customers
can choose from a range of animal parts, such as soup bones, ribs, organs, hands,
and pork legs. Its meats are known for being free of beta agonists and medication
residues. Furthermore, no chemicals are introduced to the pigs’ diet in any way. This
gives customers peace of mind when they make purchases and ensures that their
product has nutrients such as calcium, protein, iron, phosphorus, carbohydrates, and
other vital ingredients. Xing Ji operates its own pig ranch using a closed-house
approach to efficiently control multiple stages of its pork supply chain and, most
importantly, to ensure and maintain the exceptional quality of its pork. Most pig farmers
in Malaysia are still employing the open-house system to raise pigs, making it a
forerunner in ensuring biosecurity and quality pork. This approach can be used to
avoid infectious diseases in pigs, such as African swine fever (Yong et al., 2021).
Furthermore, a closed-house system reduces the danger of porcine stress syndrome,
lowering pig mortality and injury. To ensure the nutritious content of the meat, they
place a high priority on clean packing and sterile slaughter. Xing Ji also provides
delivery services to its customers in Peninsular Malaysia. Those who place orders
through its website and its e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada can expect
to receive their products within two days. Deliveries are arranged by the business itself
through a third-party delivery platform like Lalamove so that it retains flexibility in terms
of product deliveries.
2.2. Pricing
Prices for products sold at Xing Ji's stores, both online and offline, are based
on the balance of profitability and competitiveness. To retain customers, the company
periodically adjusts its prices to match those of its competitors. It is committed to
keeping its prices affordable to all its customers in order to sustain relationships based
on trust, as seen in its business ethics. When it comes to delivery fees, consumers
who spend more than a certain amount get it for free. This is to encourage purchasing
in bulk. Xing Ji's pricing strategy has gained it the success that it enjoys today, as it
has earned the respects it deserves from the numerous returning customers it has.
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2.3. Place
Between the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, is Taman Puncak Jalil, where Xing
Ji has its physical shop. The residential area may be quiet, it is conveniently accessible
to public transportation to many parts of the city. Customers may easily access the
shop thanks to this. Additionally, a lot of complementary businesses like bakeries and
kopitiams are located nearby. Because of this, Xing Ji has consistently been able to
draw foot traffic in addition to preserving a long-lasting business connection with those
businesses. Due to its excellent choice of location for customer service, the company
has been able to achieve exceptional sales. Recognising the growing demand for
online shopping, it also operates an online store through its own website and e-
commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada. There, Xing Ji shows all its meat
offerings, prices, and the option to order online for delivery. In addition to the terms
and conditions governing the delivery procedures, it displays the available delivery
locations. To serve as many consumers as possible, it provides delivery services from
Johor in the south to Perlis in the north. They also promise two-day delivery for online
orders, giving buyers ample notification of when their orders will arrive.
2.4. Promotion
Promotion is an important aspect of Xing Ji's marketing strategy. Xing Ji has
done a fair amount of marketing to attract and incentivise repeat purchases. It offers
a loyalty programme in the form of membership points to reward customers for their
purchases. This project is intended to motivate customers to make more purchases,
help the company retain existing customers, and, most importantly, establish long-
term relations with the community that routinely supports it. Furthermore, it maintains
an active social media presence to promote its goods as well as ideas on how to
prepare delicious pork dishes through interesting content and interactive promotions.
This helped Xing Ji reach more people because it has customers from all around West
Malaysia. Through their personal mobile number registered with the company’s
membership programme, customers constantly receive updates on Xing Ji’s product
discounts and new product additions. Not only that, but it also exclusively sells fresh
produce every day and has a zero overnight produce policy that lowers the price of all
meats and vegetables by 50% after 4 p.m. to clear their shelves in order to prevent
food waste. This forms part of Xing Ji’s corporate social responsibility initiative. Though
it is small, it has been embedded in its customers’ hearts.
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3. SWOT Analysis
The cultural aspects are for one, a contributor to the meat industry's sustained
growth. Throughout the world, there are numerous festivities and events that have
their own unique feasts and recipes that contain meat products. Certain dishes,
including chicken rendang and satay, are regarded as traditional or essential
components of festival cuisine in Malaysia. For example, Muslims purchase big
amounts of poultry, mutton, and beef to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Also, to reduce
the costs for associated businesses, the government subsidises animal husbandry
throughout the celebration. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries at the time
Dr Ronald Kiandee claimed that the government was implementing short-term
intervention measures during the celebrations by offering subsidies to breeders of
broiler and egg-producing hens in an attempt to boost chicken and egg output
(Malaysian National News Agency [BERNAMA], 2022, para. 5). Government
subsidies drive down the cost of raising chickens, which in turn drives down the price
of meat sold by companies like Xing Ji. The rise in demand for meat products during
festivals can be linked to cultural influences as well as the desire for extraordinary and
delectable foods during celebrations.
Secondly, meat products generate a huge market since they cater to a diverse
spectrum of palates and offer countless culinary options. Because meat is so
adaptable, it can be prepared in a wide variety of ways, including frying, stewing, and
grilling, just to name a few. This indicates that there is a high demand because most
individuals pick meat products for their regular meals. Demand, as a basic economics
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principle, creates markets and profits. Additionally, meat is a great source of nutrients
that are necessary for human growth and well-being. Terrestrial animal source foods
offer energy and a range of essential nutrients, such as protein, fatty acids, and various
vitamins and minerals, which are less common in other food kinds (Payton, 2023, para.
3). Eating meat has several health benefits, including boosting muscle mass, reducing
anaemia, and reducing inflammation. Figure 3 shows that people prioritise their health
over riches when making purchases, as seen from the increase in the changes of
spending for the health and fitness category (Vujanic & Burns, 2022, para. 3). For this,
meat is both flavourful and nutritious, making them popular to the average consumers.
The growth of the fast-food sector may also aid in the expansion of the meat
market. Since 1982, consumers' spending at fast food restaurants has increased at a
6.8% yearly rate (Jekanowski, 1999, p. 11). This is because the features of fast food
align with the current trend of working efficiency. The fast-food sector excellently
satisfies consumer needs by emphasising quick customer turnover, quick service, and
take-out sales. Individuals are choosing fast-food over table service restaurants due
to factors like rising incomes, longer workdays, and the growing trend of both couples
working full-time jobs (Jekanowski, 1999, p. 12). The meat market can benefit from
the expansion of the fast-food industry through the increasing demand of raw
ingredients, which meat is one of them. Businesses in the meat industry often find
themselves cooperating with fast-food restaurants and supplying raw ingredients at a
lower price. Fast-food restaurants can get the ingredients they need at a lower cost
and the meat market can achieve higher sale and drive continuous growth.
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Xing Ji’s operating costs may rise due to certain regulations. Malaysia has
stringent laws governing the handling, processing, and storage of meat to ensure food
safety and hygiene. Safeguarding Malaysian citizens' safety requires the
implementation of food safety and hygiene rules. In 2008, sixteen infants in Gansu,
China, were diagnosed with kidney stones (Huang, 2014, para. 1). They had all been
given milk powder, which it was subsequently found had been tampered with using
melamine, a poison. All of this is a result of the Chinese government's inadequate
enforcement of food safety laws. Meat companies are paying more for facilities,
equipment, hygienic practices, and staff training because of these rules, as they have
an obligation to safeguard consumers' health.
There could be an unanticipated animal flu outbreak at any time; hence, the
government has strictly limited the number of meat products that are available. It has
currently been discovered that the creatures that could be impacted are dogs, cats,
horses, pigs, bats, birds, and pigs, with the most common being birds and pigs.
Unfortunately, the primary commodities in the meat industry are pork and poultry.
Symptoms may be non-existent or minor, but they may go as far as to manifest as a
high fever and pneumonia (Jones, 2023, para. 33). The meat production and retail
sectors bear the losses incurred from the restrictions imposed by the government.
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4. Recommendations
Table 1
Responses to Question Related to the Viability of Artificial Meat Technology
Yes No Unsure
(%) (%) (%)
Do you think this in vitro meat technology is
53.6 28.7 17.7
feasible and realistic?
Note. Adapted from “Educated Consumers Don’t Believe Artificial Meat is the Solution
to the Problems with the Meat Industry”, by A. Hocquette, C. Lambert, C. Sinquin, L.
Peterolff, Z. Wagner, S. P. F. Bonny, A. Lambert, and J. -F. Hocquette, 2015, Journal
of Integrative Agriculture, 14(2), 273-284 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-
3119(14)60886-8). CC-BY-NC-ND.
Xing Ji does not have to produce artificial meat independently, but the
opportunity to source them from potential suppliers holds immense promise. In 2024,
Malaysia’s first manufacturing plant dedicated to artificial meat is scheduled to open
for business. (Malaysian Investment Development Authority [MIDA], 2023, para. 1).
8
It is highly likely that the artificial meat sales in the early stages will be relatively
low, if not non-existent. On the other hand, Xing Ji may test the market with a tiny,
progressive introduction of artificial meat each replenishment. Consequently, decide
regarding the quantity of artificial meat that can be further procured by looking at its
sales. Even if the first benefits might not be great, investing in artificial meat and
keeping a positive working relationship with its supplier are worthwhile. Not to mention
that consumers may sample the artificial meat while searching the store and looking
for new products; this is referred to as the variety-seeking purchasing behaviour
(Ratner et al., 1999, p. 2). Additionally, the development of artificial meat may help
protect the environment and improve the wellbeing of animals. Samples surveyed by
Hocquette et al. (2015) think that the manufacturing and consumption of artificial meat
can help solve the longstanding issue of animal wellbeing (p. 277).
Table 2
Responses to Question Related to Animal Welfare
Yes No Unsure
(%) (%) (%)
Do you think that in vitro meat will significantly
45.0 37.8 17.2
contribute to reduce the animal welfare problem?
Note. Adapted from “Educated Consumers Don’t Believe Artificial Meat is the Solution
to the Problems with the Meat Industry”, by A. Hocquette, C. Lambert, C. Sinquin, L.
Peterolff, Z. Wagner, S. P. F. Bonny, A. Lambert, and J. -F. Hocquette, 2015, Journal
of Integrative Agriculture, 14(2), 273-284 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-
3119(14)60886-8). CC-BY-NC-ND.
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4.1.2. Ready-to-cook Meals
Xing Ji can provide ready-to-cook (RTC) products. These are made to be
convenient without sacrificing the taste and texture of home-cooked meals. Products
like this can help customers prepare meals much faster and with less effort. Individuals
nowadays prefer easy-to-cook items with simple, quick preparation methods due to
the pressures of their hectic lives (Temgire et al., 2021, p. 211). The features of RTC
products are what customers need in this situation. Xing Ji's is currently targeting its
products at individuals, such as housewives and retired women, who typically tend to
prepare meals for their families at home using raw ingredients. Xing Ji could reach a
new group of consumers by marketing RTC products to full-time workers who are
willing to cook but do not have a lot of free time. These people prefer to cook their
meals rather than buy cooked ones from restaurants or fast-food establishments, citing
reasons about cost. This consumer group has a high desire to save time while being
able to enjoy quality food. To get the raw ingredients from markets and stores and then
prepare a meal at home would be too much for these people. Thus, the availability of
food that can be quickly prepared can satisfy their needs.
There is a growing demand for RTC food products (Eltaroberts, 2023, para. 2).
In India, the rising demand for them is caused by the urbanisation of its labour force,
easier access to food, and the need for culturally appropriate food (Temgire et al.,
2015, p. 213). The same can be said here in Malaysia, as we share the same
characteristics as developing countries like India. Ready-to-cook meals can be
considered the best alternative to home-cooked meals, especially for people who live
alone, despite some health concerns being brought up surrounding them. A significant
number of today’s consumers belong to this category because of the fast-paced and
demanding work environment. All that consumers need to do with these food items is
take them out of the packaging and place them into relevant cooking utensils
according to the directions provided. Besides, ready-to-cook products can increase
the diversity of products available in Xing Ji and provide more choices for consumers
to choose from. Not to mention that these items can also meet the needs of university
students who are living on their own. With a low-time-consuming cooking method, it is
easy for students to prepare a meal in their dormitory with RTC products. There is no
reason to worry about a possible failure in sales. Thus, it can be concluded that there
is a market for ready-to-cook products, bringing benefits to Xing Ji.
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4.2. Threat Minimisation
4.2.1. Staff Education
With government regulations meddling left and right in Xing Ji’s operations, the
company should better educate its human resources to tackle the issue. This is the
first step to having its business fit perfectly with legislation implemented by relevant
authorities. Yet we cannot ignore the fact that food safety laws bind the food industry
together and stresses the importance of consumer health (Hanson, 2022, para. 1).
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are a useful tool for businesses to promote
food product safety and assure adherence to best practices for food safety (Khan,
2023, para. 26). They are vital resources for training staff members, particularly those
who are new to the company, about safe food handling procedures. They also give
staff the information and abilities they need to regularly apply food safety procedures
by providing clear instructions on a variety of jobs and procedures.
Xing Ji's continuous success is mainly attributed to its effective integration and
implementation of the 4Ps—product, pricing, place, and promotion—and its marketing
mix strategies. The company has carefully marketed and positioned its products by
selling a wide range of everyday necessities to all segments of its customers on top of
its specialisation in high-quality pork. By running its own farm, it maintains control over
its pork supply, ensuring quality and traceability—two critical components in gaining
customers’ trust and loyalty.
With the growing demand for food items, particularly meat products, in the many
years ahead as the global population continues to grow, Xing Ji has the potential to
reap the benefits that are present in the opportunities that the ever-evolving world
presents. However, the world is not a sugar-coated ball of utopia, as all business
opportunities come with threats that hinder businesses’ pursuit of growth. Considering
the health and safety of consumers, government regulations that control the
production and sale of meat items could plunge Xing Ji into losses. This is part of the
social and political factors in the marketing macroenvironment that protect consumers
from unfair business practices and societal interest against unrestrained business
behaviour (Kotler et al., 2023, p. 107).
The process of writing this paper has taught us the importance of customer
value-driven marketing tactics in establishing a company's marketing effectiveness.
Throughout our investigation on Xing Ji, we discovered how the company applied
these tactics in its business operations. A company founded on trust and dependability
is destined to succeed. The same may be said about applying these ideas into our
daily lives. By taking the effort to understand the wants, desires, and perspectives of
those around us, we can improve our personal connections in the same way that
marketers strive to understand their target audience. Empathy enhances our
interactions and fosters deeper bonds. We earn people' respect by always
empathising with them and putting ourselves in their position when dealing with
various issues and negotiations. This is a means for us to market ourselves, look at
things from other viewpoints, and broaden our understanding. We may prioritise our
personal development, as marketers do, as we are constantly learning and adjusting.
Marketing is not merely about doing business; it is also about the way we treat people.
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References
Bonny, S. P. F., Gardner, G. E., Pethick, D. W., & Hocquette, J. -F. (2015). What is
artificial meat and what does it mean for the future of the meat industry? Journal
3119(14)60888-1
Medium. https://medium.com/@eltaroberts2662/ready-to-cook-food-market-
size-growth-forecast-2023-2030-deb640e51a46
sheets/print-publications/bae/strategies-to-control-farmstead-odors-bae-
2905.pdf
https://www.fooddocs.com/post/why-are-food-regulations-important
Hocquette, A., Lambert, C., Sinquin, C., Peterolff, L., Wagner, Z., Bonny, S. P. F.,
Lebert, A., & Hocquette, J. -F. (2015). Educated consumers don’t believe
artificial meat is the solution to the problems with the meat industry. Journal of
3119(14)60886-8
Huang, Y. (2014, July 16). The 2008 milk scandal revisited. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/yanzhonghuang/2014/07/16/the-2008-milk-
scandal-revisited/?sh=4ad28f434105
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Jekanowski, M. D. (1999). Causes and consequences of fast-food sales growth.
https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.266201
Jones, B. (2023, July 17). Yes, bird flu is a threat. It’s time to take it seriously. Vox.
https://www.vox.com/science/23793697/bird-flu-avian-influenza-explained-
pandemic-potential-wildlife
Khalique, M., Isa, A. H. M., Nassir Shaari, J. A., Ageel, A. (2011). Challenges faced by
https://ssrn.com/abstract=1891867
Khan, H. A. (2023). Essential food safety practices for meat processing plants:
https://agtech.folio3.com/blogs/essential-food-safety-practices-for-meat-
processing-plants/
Khan, K. S. (2023, August 4). 15 most consumed meats in the world. Yahoo Finance.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-most-consumed-meats-world-
160853277.html
Kotler, P., Armstrong, G., & Balasubramanian, S. (2023). Principles of Marketing (19th
ed.). Pearson.
make-debut-in-malaysia/
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Malaysian National News Agency. (2022, March 30). Adequate meat supply for
malaysia/adequate-meat-supply-ramadan-aidilfitri-mafi-354382
Paul, B., Sana, A., & Poddar, S. (2020). Contribution of small and medium enterprises
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350236644_CONTRIBUTION_OF_S
MALL_AND_MEDIUM_ENTERPRISES_SMES_TOWARDS_MALAYSIAN_E
CONOMIC_GROWTH_AN_EMPIRICAL_STUDY
Payton, L. T. (2023). A major health organisation says meat, eggs and milk are vital
https://fortune.com/well/2023/05/08/meat-eggs-and-milk-nutrients/
https://www.precedenceresearch.com/meat-products-market
15. https://doi.org/10.1086/209547
Sakawi, Z., & Ismail, L. (2015). Managing odour pollution from livestock sources in
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Stephens, N., Di Silvio, L., Dunsford, I., Ellis, M., Glencross, A., & Sexton, A. (2018).
155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.04.010
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Temgire, S., Borah, A., Kumthekar, S., & Idate, A. (2021). Recent trends in ready to
https://doi.org/10.22271/tpi.2021.v10.i5c.6207
Vujanic, A., & Burns, T. (2022, September 7). Consumers see health and well-being
https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2022/consumers-see-health-and-well-
being-as-essential-spend-category-accenture-survey-finds
Yong, S. -B., Hassan, L., Krauss, S. E., Ooi, P. T., Ramanoon, S. Z., Yasmin, A. R., &
695702. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.695702
Yuan, C., Geng, C., Sun, J., & Cui, H. (2022). Vertical integration and corporate value
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceqi.2022.11.002
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Appendices
Figure 2
3,000.00
Market Size (Billion
2,500.00
2,000.00
USD)
1,500.00
1,000.00
500.00
0.00
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033
Year
Figure 3
Consumer Category Spend Changes Between September 2022 and September 2023
85.00
80.00
80.00
75.00
75.00
70.00
65.00
Food and Household Homecare Health and Savings &
Grocery Bills Items Fitness Investments
Categories
Note. From Consumers see health and well-being as “essential” spend category, by
(https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2022/consumers-see-health-and-well-being-
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Presentation Slides
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