Survival Strategies: Case Study of Retail Hardware SMEs in Shurugwi Zimbabwe
The study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the survival strategies employed by the retail hardware sector in Shurugwi, Zimbabwe. The objectives of this study was to establish the challenges faced by SMEs, to establish survival strategies used by SMEs and to establish alternative survival strategies that can be used by SMEs in the retail hardware sector. Descriptive research design was used to provide further insight into the research problem by describing variables of interest. It was so also because of its adaptability across disciplines. A census sampling technique was also used because it was precise, detailed and gave data in great detail for the small domains especially the local areas. The study examined the challenges currently being faced by small businesses for example lack of business experience, owner manager characteristics, knowledge management, stringent procedures to acquire a loan, financial management, lack of ICT, reduced availability of finance, limited information about financing options, political instability, operational space and locational changes, supply chain, Lack of business networks, increasing competition, lack of human resource and lack of customer relationship management systems. The survival strategies were cost reduction, product diversification, payment terms in credits. Pricing strategies, collaboration, buyer supplier relationship, networking and market segmentation. The alternative strategies were strategic partnership, internationalisation, compliance, temporary closures, promotions, localisation, partnerships, promotions, mergers and advertising. The findings of the study stated that there is a relationship on business experience and performance, business experience and turnover, business age and turnover, respondents' age and performance, education and performance, gender and performance and business review and performance. The challenges which affected SMEs the most was lack of business networks. Survival strategy most implemented is collaboration and the alternative survival strategy implemented is temporary closures. The strategies used yielded negative results and are not effective. This is so because the numbers of retail outlets have decreased and their profits have also decreased. It also shows that survival itself is a struggle in the sector. The recommendations were that Zimbabwean government's economic initiatives to be easily reached and accessible. In addition the government is to provide entrepreneurship training and educational schemes. Ministry of SMEs is to introduce career development schemes and also development female entrepreneurship development models. Keywords: survival, strategy, small to medium scale enterprises, retail hardware.