STANLEYS GIBBON GROUP PLC

Strategic & Financial Analysis of Stanley Gibbon Group PLC

Strategic & Financial Analysis of Stanley Gibbon Group PLC

Introduction

Stanley Gibbons Group PLC is a British public limited company that operates a successful business in alternative investment items. It was established in 1856 by its founder Edward Stanley Gibbons. Company is listed on AIM, London Stock Exchange (Peter, T. 2010, Pp. 60-98). The group is incorporated in Jersey but has a store located in the heart of London at 399 Strand and offices in Guernsey and Hong Kong, Stanley Gibbons enjoy a distinct advantage in terms of proven experience, performance culture and global skills base. Stanley Gibbon Plc is considered as the global leader in rare stamps and premium collectable markets. The group also issues a monthly magazine (Gibbons Stamp Monthly) describing the details and information related to different stamps and other items of interest to philatelists (Gibbon). 

Stanley Gibbon group PLC is involved in conducting its business into four main areas, Dealers of autograph, Stamp specialty business, an online portal offering numerous collecting items and associated memorabilia. A number of awards and recognitions are attributable to the company for their performance, it possess royal warrant issued by Queen Elizabeth. Company have a competitive advantage and it is aimed at retaining this competitive advantage through wide range of its offering, these offering are focused on creating integrity, expertise and long term value for the investors and collectors .

Currently, the company possesses a low market share (less than 1%) in the global stamp industry, but it is consider as the most valuable and known brand in the stamp market. In addition to stamp market, company wants to become a global leader in the collectable market as a whole.

Discussion

Company's Product Range

Company sells a wide range of collectable items. All products offered by the Stanley Gibbon have some historical value. These items are associated with some historic person in or with some historical event. Following is the classification of items that company use to sell.

Rare Stamps

Rare stamps are the desired target of stamp collectors. Value of a rare stamp depends upon the historical importance of its predecessor (Anon, 2010, Pp. 35-78). Intrinsic value of a rare postage stamp may shoot unimaginably. Following are some postage stamps that belong to Stanley Gibbon PLC.

(Cape of Good Hope Stamp worth $40,000)

(Olive Bistre Block “Crown Jewel” worth $750,000)

(Penny Black Stamp worth $5,000,000)

Publishing Accessories and Albums

It includes publishing or musical records of old vintage singers, and it also includes memorable speeches made by the famous personalities of history. Collectors take such type of items as a collectable asset, and they are bought or sold on relatively higher price.

Celebrity autographs

Items autographed by the celebrities or famous personalities of past also possesses a high value for investor or collectors. For example a picture of Neil Armstrong signed by him, and an autograph of Abraham Lincoln or Hitler (NAC, 2010, Pp. 5- 17).

Historical Documents

There are certain documents from the past that shows a relationship ...