Report on Square Toiletries Limited

Introduction

Purpose of the Marketing Plan

The main purpose of report is to focus on the marketing plan for a new product that will enhance our skill and broaden our area of knowledge about the interesting world of marketing. Marketing plan is such type of task that is based more on projections and creativity and it involves lot of effort to be successful. By making this report we will be able to reach to the in-depth of marketing plan that will help to identify our lack ness and this will be helpful for our future career. The marketing plan is being made as the requirement of making thesis report.

1.2 Scope and Limitations

We are really grateful to our course instructor Ms. Afia Akter as for her we have got the opportunity to do such analytical task. Through making this marketing plan we will be able to gain the practical knowledge of how to make a marketing plan for launching a new product. It will help us to improve our communication and analytical skill that will benefit us in future. As we are just studying in BBA so we have some lack of knowledge to do such task efficiently and effectively and there must be some mistakes in this report. But through doing such analytical job we can overcome our lack ness.

1.3 Methodology

We have used the research methodology to complete our marketing plan. We have made a working plan, then have made a discussion with all of our group members and our course teacher, made a list of task, did survey, used primary and secondary information and finally we have prepared it successfully

1.4 Square Toiletries Ltd. at a glance

Square Toiletries Limited (STL) is the leading Bangladeshi manufacturer of toiletries and cosmetics products operating with over 50 international quality products. STL started its challenging journey with branded coconut oil under the brand “Jui” in 1988.

Currently STL, an ISO 9001:200 certified company, is operating with the trust of Bangladeshi consumers with 16 famous brands.

STL manufactures and markets a wide array of consumer toiletries products ranging from Hair Oils, Toilet Soaps, Baby Care, Dental Care, Shaving products, Fabric Care, summer to winter products. The company also markets Feminine Hygiene products and mosquito repellent manufactured by its sister concern, Health Products Limited (HPL) and Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd (SPL) respectively. In a very short time Meril, Jui, Kool, Senora, Chaka, White Plus, Xpel and Magic have become most familiar brands to consumers

Production of STL products is carried out at its two automated plants in Rupshi and Pabna. While the Toilet Soaps and Feminine Hygiene products are manufactured at Rupshi, all other products are manufactured in the Pabna Factory. The Best quality raw materials from world renowned suppliers like Dragoco, Firmenich, Givadaun, Clariant, Cognis, ISS etc. give an added value to the STL’s product quality.

STL always adopts international standard production processes by following the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). As part of its corporate social responsibility STL stands behind the acid victims, works with ICDDRB & Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) for reducing post-partum hemorrhage and also have engaged itself in other welfare activities. STL also stands behind the development of sports and culture in Bangladesh.

1.5 Mission of Square Toiletries Ltd.

To satisfy the needs of domestic & international consumers through innovative quality products & services using latest technology and by highly motivated skilled employees.

1.6 Quality Policy of Square Toiletries Ltd.

Dedicated to make every effort to understand consumer needs to provide maximum satisfaction and to achieve market leadership
Strive to continuously upgrade manufacturing technology and to maintain optimum level of quality measures in conformity with the international standard – ISO 9001: 2000.
Committed to achieve quality objective through continuous employee training and maintaining congenial working atmosphere

1.7 General Information about Square Toiletries Ltd.

Year of Establishment : 1988
Incorporated as Pvt. Ltd. Company : 28th April, 1994
Awarded ISO 9001:2000 Certificate : 1998
Annual Turnover (2005-06) : Tk.2.15 Billion
Net Profit (Before Tax) : Tk.250 million
Annual Growth : 18.16%
Number of Employees : 1800+
Chairman : Mr. Samson H. Chowdhury

Chapter: 2

2.1 Introduction

Square Toiletries Ltd (STL), the no.1 local toiletries company in Bangladesh, is going to introduce Kool Body Soap, the first local body soap in Bangladesh only made for men. Kool is the first ever Bangladeshi brands with complete shaving solution, such as: Kool After Shave Balsam, Kool After Shave Gel, Kool Blue Deodorant Body Spray, Kool Shaving Cream (Frosty), Kool Shaving Cream (Monsoon). Supreme quality and trendy attributes of the all products make the brand unique among others. It provides what men really deserve. In recent years, toiletries and cosmetics companies of Bangladesh are concentrating more on gender segmentation, like Unilever’s fairness cream MenzActive, Emami’s Fair & Handsome. But still no company has introduced any soap only made for men. Though Square is producing beauty soap, named Meril Splash, under Meril brand which is already an established and famous brand in toiletries market and has stronger brand loyalty to customer than Kool brand, following to other toiletries companies’ Strategies Square will not use any feminine brand name to launch its new soap. As still Kool is the only local gents brand in Bangladesh, so Square Toiletries Ltd. has made plan to launch a new gents body soap named Kool Body Soap with three different fragrances, which will offer itself to have a monopoly business as there is no local body soap specially made for man.

2.2 Product review

Product Name: Kool Body Soap

Product Type: First Men body soap in Bangladesh with 3 different fragrances-

Kool Body Soap is made from 100% vegetable oil with 76% TFM (Total Fatty Matter). Kool Body Soap produces ample amount of foam that easily reaches at the oil pores and cleans gently. To give maximum satisfaction to individual consumer, each variant contains different and attractive fragrance. STL introduces 3 variants for different skin types and both 3 types of soaps are specially made following the skin type Bangladeshi men and will work as the deodorant and protect from the bad smell of sweating. The available SKU is 90 gm.

Chapter: 3

Current Market Situation

3.1Current Market Situation

The TK. 6.5 billion soap market of Bangladesh is dominated by Unilever’s Lux and Lifebouy Gold. Square’s Meril Splash beauty soap occupies approximately about 10% of the market share. Main consumers are SEC people or Socio economic class people (especially upper middle, middle and lower middle). Analysts predict that with in few years the industry will move on to the gender segmentation.

The Market Leader Unilever offers 6 type of Lux includes:

Lux Golden Glow Lux Orchid Touch Lux Nature Pure Lux Aqua Sparkle Lux Energising Honey & Lux Almond Delight.

Unilever also offer 4 types of Lifebouy Gold includes:

Lifebuoy Total Lifebuoy Care Lifebuoy Nature Lifebuoy Deofresh

Other available beauty soaps are Keya, Aromatic Gold, Lily etc. Some imported foreign men soaps are also available, such as: Fa, Gucci etc but they are too much high priced and only affordable for upper and upper middle class. As there is no men soap available in the market from the local companies, so many men prefer those beuty soaps for their bath.

It’s a great opprtunity for Square to have a monopoly business by targeting this gender segment of the soap market. Today’s men are much more skin conscious than their early generations. They want such type of product which takes care of their skin as men skin texture is totally different from women. Kool Body Soap gives a man a perfect solution for bath. Its color, fragrances, shape, ingrediants are different from the existing bar soaps. It has 3 variants for different skin types, it works as the deodorant and protect from bad smell of sweating and its price is affordable for its target customer.

4.1 SWOT analysis

4.1.1 Opportunity/Threats Analysis

Here we have identified the main opportunities and threats facing the business. The main opportunities for Kool Body Soap are as follows:

In recent years male consumers are showing more interest in skin care and they are demanding more products appropriate for men skin type.

As no gents body soap is available in the market produced by the toiletries companies of Bangladesh, except some imported foreign gents soaps those are too much high in price, so Kool Body Soap will be known as the First local body soap only made for men and STL will have a great chance to do monopoly business in this segment.

Raw materials are easily available in the current market (such as: Bay of Bengal is the largest source for the ingredients of Sea mineral soap).

The main threats that Kool Body Soap may have:

Other competitors may introduce new body soap for men with different fragrances and high quality.

Existing beauty soaps (such as: Lux) or imported foreign soaps for men may disturb the growth rate of this new product.

Consumers may have the doubt about the quality of this new product.

4.1.2 Strengths/Weakness Analysis

Here we have identified the product’s strengths and weakness. Kool Body Soap’s main strengths are:

Square Toiletries Ltd. occupies one of the largest manufacturing facilities with world class technology than other local toiletries companies (such as: automated plants in Rupshi and Pabna.)
Square Toiletries Limited (STL) is an ISO 9001: 2000 certified Company.
Largest local Toiletries & Cosmetics Company.
Quality compliance with Middle East, Asia, Europe and some other country.
Square occupies one of the largest distribution channels in Bangladesh.
Price of the product is less than other foreign gents’ soap.

The main weaknesses of Kool Body Soap are as follows:

Lack ness of research data to improve the product features, like quality, shape, color, fragrances etc.
The brand name of Kool is not much stronger compare to potential competitor’s brands.
As it is the first gents’ body soap in Bangladesh, there is no specific competitor. Any major attacks may come from any potential competitor. So Square has the lack ness of information about its potential competitors.

4.2 Issue analysis

In this section of the marketing plan we have used the strength/weakness analysis to define the main issues that the plan must address. Square must consider the following basic issues:

Will Kool Body Soap be able to gain the large market share of current soap industry in Bangladesh?
Will Kool Body Soap be able to attract its target consumers or to earn its target consumers’ loyalty by its quality and other features?
Can Square produce this new product effectively and efficiently with its existing resources?
Should Square increase its expenditure for marketing research and product development?
Does Square has the ability to draw an effective strategy for its potential competitors?
Should Square design a new promotional strategy to increase the brand awareness of Kool?
Should Square stay with existing distribution channel or add a new one with the existing one? Can it do it and yet retain the loyalty of its current channel partners?

Chapter: 5

5.1 Financial Objectives

We have set some financial objectives relative to increase the financial performance of the product:

Earn an annual rate of return on investment over the next 3 years of 20% after tax.
Generate net profit of Tk.30 million in 2008.
Produce an annual turnover of Tk.150 million in 2008.

5.2 Marketing Objectives

The financial objectives must be converted into marketing objectives. As we have projected to earn Tk.30 million net profit, so our target profit margin is 20% of the sales volume as we have set a goal of Tk.150 million in sales revenue. If we set an average price of Tk.25, we must sell 6,000,000 units of soap in 2008. We have targeted to achieve 8% of the total market share among which 2.308% must be achieved in current year. We must set the specific goals, distribution coverage and awareness for achieving this market share. Thus the marketing objective should be:

Achieving total sales revenue of Tk.150 million in 2008 which represents 2.308% of the total market share. Therefore, we must achieve a sales volume of 6,000,000 units.
Increasing second-year share to 5%, based on the sales of three types of soaps.
Creating 30% brand awareness with in the target consumers by the end of this year.
Directly distributing the soaps to the large super stores in Dhaka and Chittagong cities by taking rent of products’ shelf.

Chapter: 6

6.1 Target Market

Gender : Men, (Upper middle and middle classes)

Occupation: Students, new job holders

Age group : 15-30

Location : Urban areas, Metropolitan cities and main district towns.

Our target consumers for Kool Body Soap are men from upper middle and middle classes of urban areas those are conscious about their skin care and have the intention to expense for it. They are much more conscious about brands as well as sensitive to the products’ price. Men those are students, new job holders are included to this categories. Most of them also have the intention to buy new things if it has the distinctive features. As Kool Body Soap is the first men body soap in Bangladesh and as it has three different variants for different skin type, so we have targeted this group for our new product. The ingredients, color, shape, packaging and price are distinctive from other bar soaps available in the market. Thus we can imagine that our target customer will take this product positively.

6.2 Product line

Three different types of soaps are available: Sea Mineral, OxyFresh and Herbal for different skin types. The available SKU is 90 gm.

6.3 Product Positioning

Kool Body Soap is the first ever Bangladeshi bar soap for only men. It has three different variants for normal, dry and oily skin. Its ingredients are used properly by maintaining 76% TFM (Total Fatty Matter). The distinctive features of Kool Body Soap can be realized from the following positioning slogan:

“Kool Body Soap keeps your skin clear by producing ample amount of foam, works as your deodorant through its fragrances and gives you the real freshness of bath.”

Kool Sea Mineral:

It is for the normal skin type, gives the freshness of bath like in sea. The Dead sea salt clean the dead cells of skins and the oils of palm and coconut trees keep the skin moisture balanced. The fragrance of Aqua gives the essence what a man wants.

Kool Oxy Fresh:

It is appropriate for the men who suffer for the dry skin. Kool Oxy Fresh cleans the dust of pores and helps to enter oxygen in skin texture. It protects skin structure by preventing the dryness. Chamomile, Rosemary and Burdock Root gives the manly fragrance to enhance ones personality.

Kool Herbal:

Neem, Sandal and Turmeric gives the real feeling of herbal bath. It is specially made for the oily skin. Neem’s natural power is effective against germs and it helps to combat perspiration Odor and Turmeric and Sandal keeps the skin clean and healthy, maintains oil balance and makes the skin fair and glowing.

6.4 Product Pricing

In the first year of production, we have set an average price of Tk.25 for the available SKU of 90 gm. As it is the first men soap in the soap market of Bangladesh, so we have set a little bit higher price. By observing target consumer feedback, the price will be less down later.

6.5 Distribution

The product will be distributed by using the large distribution channel of Square. We will offer different reward packages to those distributors, like: cash bonus, increasing commission rate etc. so that they influence themselves to distribute this product properly for making the promotional activities successful.

6.6 Marketing Communication

We will start our advertising campaign from Dhaka International Trade Show, 2008. News paper and TV ads will start on the same time. For increasing the brand awareness we will arrange music concert, quiz contest, model hunt contest, free advising campaign for skin care etc. For social publicity we have decided to sponsor the National Tree Plantation Campaign, 08 under Kool brand. For the successful completion of all these tasks, we have made a budget of Tk.17.5 million in this year and hope to increase the amount by 30% for the next year.

6.6 Marketing Research

We have made plan to measure the brand awareness before, during and after the marketing campaigns. We will increase our budget by 5% to know about the potential competitors of our new product. For creating more customer satisfaction, we will give more effort to develop better styling of the product and for this the budget for knowing the consumer decision process will be increased by 10%.

Chapter: 7

7.1 Action Programs

We will carry out our marketing strategy through a variety of scheduled programs:

January: The journey of Kool Body Soap will start by participating in Dhaka International Trade Show, 08. At the same time news paper and TV ads will also be given. Billboards will also be established in important cities, like: Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Bogra, Sylhet, khulna etc. It will continue to February to be completed. In February, a special reader corner will be opened in Amor Ekushey Boimela, 08 to enhance the promotion of Kool Body Soap. A music concert will also be held in 14 February, 08 to observe the occasion of “Valentines Day”. Md. Siragis Salekin will be in charge for managing these tasks at a planned cost of Tk.2.5million.

March: Music concerts will be arranged in 26 March, 08 on the occasion of “Independence Day”. In the mean time a Model Hunt contest will also be conducted to encourage the young men for buying the Kool Body Soap. Those who will buy the soap will get a form and they will be requested to send their profile along with their 3 copies of photos by filling up the form. The best looking man will be announced as the “Mr. Kool of the year” and will receive a contract of TK.300,000 for being the official model of Kool Body Soap. Mr. Rajib Khan will handle the project with a budget of Tk.8 million.

May: Reward packages will be announced for the distributors and retailers. Different types of gift items with the logo of Kool Body Soap, like: T-shirts, calendar, hand watch, umbrella, key ring, souvenir etc will be given to them to implement the marketing strategy successfully. Mr. Bapon Kumar Roy will be responsible for these activities at a planned cost of Tk.1.8 million.

July: In this month, National Tree Plantation Campaign, 08 will be sponsored by Kool brand to create the social publicity among people. By using the name of Kool Body Soap 100,000 tree plants will be distributed to people to make them aware about importance of tree in our life. Mr. Amirul Alom will manage the project at planned budget of Tk.1.5 million and it will continue to the end of the August.

September: Free advising campaign for skin care of men will be conducted for those people who will buy the Kool Body Soap. The campaign will be directed in large super stores and shopping malls of Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Sylhet. Friendship cricket and football matches will be conducted by former and present player and by the celebrities of Showbiz World to enhance the promotion of Kool Body Soap and to create a relief fund for poor people to distribute warm cloths and blankets in winter seasons. This project will continue to the end of the November and Md. Mahbubur Rahman will make the arrangement at a planned cost of Tk.1.7 million

Chapter: 8

8.1Financial Projections

Square Toiletries Ltd.

Pro-forma Income Statement, 2008 (TK. Million)

Gross Turnover 150.00

Less: Value Added Tax (15%) (22.50)

Net Turnover: 127.50

Less: Cost of Gods Sold (CGS) (54.00)

Gross Profit: 73.50

Less: Net Operating Expenses:

Selling Expense:

Marketing &