Year 10 Economics, BTEC Business, Business Studies & Travel and Tourism- Village Market Trip
24th May 2025
On Wednesday, May 14th, we – the students from Business Studies, Economics, and BTEC Business and Travel and Tourism – had the opportunity to take part in an exciting and insightful field trip to the Village Market Mall. This trip was part of our coursework and was designed to help us see how the theories we learn in class apply in real-life business settings.
The day began with a presentation from the Village Market staff. They took us through the various departments in the mall and explained what each one does daily. It was interesting to hear first-hand how different teams contribute to the success of such a large retail space.
As Business Studies students, our focus was on conducting market research related to the marketing mix – the 4 P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. By interacting with shop managers and observing business operations, we learned how different stores attract customers, set competitive prices, choose the right locations for their products, and use promotions to stand out in a busy retail environment.
The Economics students looked at the different types of market structures represented within the mall, from perfect competition to monopolistic competition and oligopolies. They also explored how businesses generate and maintain demand, and the various forms of business ownership, including sole traders, franchises, and corporations.
Meanwhile, the BTEC Travel and Tourism students took a customer service angle. They assessed the quality of service across different outlets by looking at staff interaction, speed of service, product knowledge, and overall customer satisfaction. This helped them evaluate how great service contributes to both tourism and the general shopping experience.
Overall, the trip was a huge success. It was incredibly valuable to connect what we have been studying with real-world examples. We are especially grateful to the Village Market team for taking the time to host us and share their knowledge. The gift vouchers they gave us to enjoy the mall’s recreational facilities were a bonus that made the day even more enjoyable.
Kaleb Mesfin
