Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Submitted to:
Submitted by:
RAj kumar
Batch: 2007-2009
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my project guide Mr P.S. Mony, Retail Manager (IOC)
for his invaluable guidance during the course of the project..
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Finally, I thank SIES College of Management Studies for giving me this
wonderful opportunity to pursue my internship at IOC.
The stint at IOC was very useful in terms of gaining valuable hands on sales
experience and understanding consumer behavior.
Date:
Table of Contents
TOPIC Pg Nos.
IOC-An Introduction 3
Project Synopsis 11
2
Loyalty programs- An Introduction 13
Prospective Alliances 24
IOC: An Introduction
VISION:
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Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil) is India's largest commercial enterprise,
with a sales turnover of Rs. 2,47,479 crore (US $ 61.70 billion) and profits of
Rs. 6,963 crore (US $ 1.74 billion) for the year 2007-08.
Beginning in 1959 as Indian Oil Company Ltd., Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. was
formed in 1964 with the merger of Indian Refineries Ltd. (established 1958).
IndianOil and its subsidiaries account for 49% petroleum products market share,
40.4% refining capacity and 69% downstream sector pipelines capacity in India.
For the year 2007-08, the IndianOil group sold 59.29 million tonnes of
petroleum products, including 1.74 million tonnes of natural gas, and exported
3.33 million tonnes of petroleum products.
IndianOil is investing Rs. 43,393 crore (US $10.8 billion) during the period
2007-12 in augmentation of refining and pipeline capacities, expansion of
marketing infrastructure and product quality upgradation as well as in
integration and diversification projects.
IndianOil operates the largest and the widest network of petrol & diesel stations
in the country, numbering over 17,600. It reaches Indane cooking gas to the
doorsteps of over 50 million households in nearly 2,700 markets through a
network of about 5,000 Indane distributors.
IndianOil has set up subsidiaries in Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), and is simultaneously scouting for new opportunities in the
energy markets of Asia and Africa.
Lanka IOC Ltd. operates about 150 petrol & diesel stations in Sri Lanka, and has
a very efficient lube marketing network. Its oil terminal at Trincomalee is also
Sri Lanka's largest petroleum storage facility. Lanka IOC commissioned an
18,000 tonnes per annum capacity lubricants blending plant and a state-of-the-
art fuels and lubricants testing laboratory at Trincomalee during 2007-08 besides
commencing bunkering business.
IndianOil (Mauritius) Ltd. has an overall market share of nearly 20% and
commands a 32% market share in aviation fuelling business, apart from its
bunkering business. It operates a modern petroleum bulk storage terminal at Mer
Rouge port, besides 13 petrol & diesel stations. In addition to the ongoing
expansion of retail network, IOML has commissioned the first ISO-9001
product-testing laboratory in Mauritius.
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The Corporation's UAE subsidiary, IOC Middle East FZE, which oversees
business expansion in the Middle East, has commenced blending SERVO
lubricants and marketing petroleum products and lubricants in the Middle East,
Africa and CIS countries.
IndianOil's Gross Turnover (inclusive of excise duty) for the year 2007-08
reached a new high of Rs. 2,47,479 crore, up by 12.1 % as compared to Rs.
2,20,779 crore in the previous year. The Profit After Tax was Rs. 6,963 crore.
The Corporation sold 59.29 million tonnes of petroleum products during the
year 2007-08, as compared to 54.84 million tonnes during the previous year.
This includes sale of natural gas, which has gone up to 1.74 million tonnes in
2007-08 as compared to 1.48 million tonnes in the previous year. In addition,
product exports rose to 3.33 million tonnes from 3.13 million tonnes in the
previous year.
However, the value of the IndianOil brand is not just limited to its commercial
role as an energy provider but straddles the entire value chain of gamut of
exploration & production, refining, transportation & marketing, petrochemicals
& natural gas and downstream marketing operations abroad. IndianOil is a
national brand owned by over a billion Indians and that is a priceless value.
IOC- Products
IndianOil is not only the largest commercial enterprise in the country it is the
flagship corporate of the Indian Nation. Besides having a dominant market
share, IndianOil is widely recognized as India’s dominant energy brand and
customers perceive IndianOil as a reliable symbol for high quality products and
services.
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IndianOil is a heritage and iconic brand at one level and a contemporary, global
brand at another level. While quality, reliability and service remains the core
benefits to our customers, our stringent checks are built into operating systems,
at every level ensuring the trust of over a billion Indians over the last four
decades.
IOC Services
IndianOil provides a wide range of marketing services and consultancy in fuel
handling, distribution, storage and fuel/lube technical services. With a
formidable bank of technical and engineering talent, IndianOil is fully equipped
to handle small to large-scale infrastructural projects in the petroleum
downstream sector anywhere in the country. Our project teams have
independently or jointly as a consortium, have set up depots, terminals,
pipelines, aviation fuel stations, filling plants, LPG bottling plants, amongst
others. IndianOil's fuel management system to bulk customers offer customized
solutions that deliver least cost supplies keeping in mind usage patterns and
inventory levels. A wide network of lubricant and fuel testing laboratories are
available at major installations which is further backed by sector-wise expertise
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in the core sectors of power, steel, fertiliser, gas plants, textile mills, etc. Cutting
edge systems and processes are designed around one simple belief-to provide
valuable customers with an unbeatable edge in their business. IndianOil's supply
and distribution network is strategically located across the country linked
through a customized supply chain system backed by front offices located in
conceivably every single town of consequence.
IOC Brands:
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PROJECT SYNOPSIS
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Project Title:
Marketing and Promotion of XtraRewards Loyalty Program.
Loyal customers are also important because they provide the consistency of
volume critical for stocking and managing just in time inventory to maintain the
consistency of customer demand during crisis which is required to run any retail
business. There are also customers which are strong advocates of brands and are
always willing to forgive an occasional lapse. All of these are compelling
reasons that retailers are on a quest for customer loyalty and are increasingly
looking at implementing loyalty programs or loyalty cards of some form.
With increasing oil prices and competition increasing at a rapid pace ,many
oil marketing companies are finding it difficult to operate profitably in India.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd,is no exception to this reality. Thus to retain its
existing customers, many new iniatives have been adopted by the organization.
One such big idea is XtraRewards Loyalty Program.
In this project, we have been assigned IOC retail outlets which are participating
in the XtraRrewards Loyalty program. Our task is to promote and sell the
XtraRewards Loyalty card to the customers and at the same time garner
customer opinions and suggestions about the loyalty program. Tapping local
alliances is another aspect of this project.
At the same time, we have to check whether the retail outlets are carrying out
the implementation of the loyalty program in the right way.
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Objective of the Project:
• To promote and sell “XtraRewards loyalty cards at IOC retail outlets.
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Loyalty programs are structured marketing efforts that reward, and therefore
encourage, loyal buying behaviour — behaviour which is potentially of benefit
to the firm.
Loyalty programs are initiated by businesses with two main goals. The primary
goal for most loyalty programs is the acquisition of information relating to their
customers' spending habits, while the secondary goal is to actively cultivate
loyalty amongst customers to ensure they continue patronizing the business.
While some companies do reverse these priorities, the above hierarchy holds
true for most.
Loyalty cards are the most common form of loyalty programs found throughout
the world today. Some of the first loyalty programs were instituted by airlines in
the 1970s in the form of frequent flyer miles. In these loyalty programs, one
accrues points by flying on the airline and then 'cash in' the points in exchange
for tickets, upgrades, or even third-party benefits. In the past decade, many non-
airline businesses have combined their own loyalty programs with those of the
airlines, offering frequent flyer miles in exchange for everything from telephone
usage to purchasing gasoline.
Loyalty programs have gained in popularity immensely in the past fifteen years,
in no small part due to the development of a culture of entitlement, in which
consumers feel that they deserve special treatment. Businesses have capitalized
on this when designing their loyalty programs, often offering benefits that cost
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little, but carry with them an assumed prestige, such as access to faster-moving
lines or special parking spaces.
Ultimately, the success of loyalty programs depends on how well the business
uses the data it gathers to further refine its policies and loyalty programs. Many
businesses find little profit in the use of loyalty programs, while others, such as
eBay, attribute much of their financial success to a well-executed use of such
programs.
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IndianOil's loyalty programs are designed exclusively to benefit customers who
have been patronizing the brand for over four decades.
The fleet card program also offers an exciting rewards program and unique
benefits like personal accident insurance cover and vehicle tracking facilities. In
just under two years of its launch, IndianOil's XTRAPOWER Fleet Card has
emerged as the largest fleet card in the country with the widest retail outlet
coverage.
Any business entity owning or operating a vehicle fleet can become a member
of the XTRAPOWER fleet card program at a nominal annual charge. Each fleet
owner is issued a Fleet Control Card and vehicle-specific Fleet Cards for every
vehicle enrolled under the program.
For enhanced security, the fleet card transactions are authorized through unique
Personal Identification Number (PIN). Moreover, the card can help track each
vehicle's movement across remote corners of the country leading to an
improvement in vehicle utilization and route compliance. XTRAPOWER is also
backed by IndianOil's vast infrastructure network and web-based support
services.
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IndianOil XTRAREWARDS is India's first on-line rewards program that seeks
to inculcate the habit of redeeming points. The loyalty program rewards
customers paying by cash, credit and debit cards.
Each transaction is confirmed on-line through a charge slip and customers can
earn points on fuel/lube purchases at participating IndianOil Retail Outlets.
Additional points can also be earned outside the IndianOil network, covering
prominent FMCG, Food, Automobile, Travel, Entertainment, Apparel and
Hospitality sectors.
The redemption on gifts can be registered either from the participating Retail
Outlets or from the comfortable confines of one's home through the 24x7 IVRS
Help Line (022-2880 9030).
The program continuously provides the cardholder with privileges, benefits and
offers from alliance partners like Domino's Pizza, Subhiksha, Rediff Shopping,
Kumaran Silks, Dhabba Express, Chennai Corporate Club and Archana Sweets.
Point system:
When customer spends Rs. 75 then he earns 1 point. The balance amount gets
carry forward in next cash transaction. As a member, the customer can earn
Xtrareward points (XRPs) on purchase at participating Indian oil retail outlets
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and enjoy specific benefits at franchisees, affiliates and outlets of alliance
partners with whom Indian oil may have alliance from time to time. The XRPs
earned can instantly be redeemed for fuel and servo lubes at participating Indian
oil retail outlets. Customer can also redeem the points against items given in the
rewards catalogue.
Apart from rewarding cash customers, the program also rewards customers who
pay by credit or debit cards. However, the customer has to produce his
XTRAREWARD card to earn XRPs.
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We were assigned IOC retail outlets which are participating in the IOC
XtraRewards loyalty program. The following are the number of cards sold per
retail outlet:
TOTAL 1241
Findings :
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• XtraRewards scheme is not available at all the retail outlets of Indian
oil. The scheme is available in only 350 retail outlets in India. In
Mumbai the scheme is available in only 22 outlets while the
competitors Petro card (BPCL) is available in about 123 outlets in
Mumbai
• Most of the people are not aware regarding the XtraRewards scheme,
IOC should try to create awareness regarding the program by means of
advertising.
• Offers such as 10 Rs. Off on large combo packs in PVR cinemas did
not interest customers.
• People were not able to avail the benefits offered by various alliances
such as “Subhiksha , “Domino’s Pizza”, “Yoko Sizzlers”, “Essel
world”.
• Cards which were sold by dealers earlier were not registered with
IOCL as a result of which cards started getting blocked.
• There is no dedicated person for collecting the forms. So, there is a large
backlog of forms.
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• The card swiping machines are not properly maintained at some places
leading to many customer complaints.
Conclusion:
Positioning of the loyalty program is very critical so that these benefits do not
appear to be a just discount under the garb of loyalty this greatly affects the
customer retailer relationship and greatly reducing the program to a pure
commercial transaction where the customer constantly looks for deals.
We need to enroll the right customers. We can recognize the highest value
customers to recognize and reward their value to our organization, we can
cultivate high potential customers who currently split their purchases between us
and our competitors or reach out to those most at risk of churning. Knowing
which customer groups are most important to us allows crafting recognition and
rewarding strategy that piques their interest.
Recommendations
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Ideas to increase & retain customer base
Target new vehicle owner by tie up with the car companies and give
XTRAREWARDS card with every new vehicle.
If any card is not used for more than 30 days by the customer then
automatic message should be generated to remind the user.
Try to know actual reasons for not using the card for longer period of time
by the customer as retaining one customer is better than acquiring 6 new
customers.
At retail outlets
Pump attendants should get training frequently and as most of the staff at
the pump is not educated, a comprehensive training has to be provided to
the pump attendants about XTRAREWARDS program.
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The objective of the loyalty program should be made transparent to the
attendants. They should be taught to use the swiping machine carefully
and accurately using different options and also various messages of error
in the machine
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Prospective Alliances for
XtraRewards Loyalty Program
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd has tied with many branded companies to give
variety of benefits to their customers through xtra reward card program. Alliance
partner such as Essel World, Water Kingdom, Yoko sizzlers, subhiksha, Pizza
Hut, Vishal Mega Mart, PVR, are giving Different discounted offers to the
Xtrareward card holders. These alliances are beneficial for both Indian Oil and
the alliance partner. Indian Oil can increase their customer base through these
alliance and these alliance partners can market their brand at Indian Oil petrol
Pumps.
There are four major objectives for which we need to tie-up with various local
clients.
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S.No Potential Alliance Partners Location
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Fab India Pali Hill, Bandra
1.
(West)
2. Lucky Biryani Bandra (W)
3. Saayba Restaurant Bandra (W)
4. Mama Mia (Pizza Outlet) Hill Road, Bandra (W)
5. Asha Auto Service Centre Kurla (W)
6. ChiragDin (Auth. Raymond Showroom) Kurla (W)
7. Cafe Vrindavan Sion (W)
8. Hotel Ramdev Sion (W)
9. Suvidha Dadar (W)
1 Koutons Dadar (W)
0.
1 Oxemberg Dadar (W)
1.
1 Wellhome Dadar (W)
2.
1 Mark 1 Dadar (W)
3.
1 Time Square- The Time Gallery Dadar (W)
4.
1 Gelato IceCream Outlet Dadar (W)
5.
1 Swarg Dadar (E)
6.
1 Star Cloth Stores (Auth. Raymond Dadar (W)
7. Showroom)
1 Cyclone Apparel Store Parel
8.
1 Reebok Factory Price Shop Parel
9.
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2 Spencer’s Nerul
0.
2 Apollo Pharmacy Nerul
1.
2 KB’s Fair Price Nerul
2.
2 Dupont Andheri (W)
3.
2 Thyrocare Chembur
4.
2 Monginis Cake Shop Andheri (W)
5.
2 Ginger Hotels Andheri (W)
6.
2 Acres Club Chembur
7.
2 Glance Opticians Chembur
8.
2 Celebration Restuarant Chembur
9.
3 A.P. Mani & Sons Veg and Fruits Pvt. Ltd Chembur
0.
3 OvenHot Bake Shop Chembur
1.
3 Classic Restuarant Matunga
2.
3 Cafe Coffee Day Matunga
3.
3 Garnish Restuarant Matunga
4.
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3 Monginis Cake Shop Matunga
5.
3 Soft Corner ice-cream Parlour Matunga
6.
3 Cafe Mysore Matunga
7.
3 Favia Chocolate Shop Matunga
8.
3 DP’s Restuarant Matunga
9.
4 Hokey Pokey Ice-cream Shop Matunga
0.
4 Apple Apparel Store Matunga
1.
Findings:
• Prospective alliances were very supporting and welcoming .They had
goodwill for IOC.
• Dealers who showed interest appreciated the offer provided and were
eager to continue talks with IOC.They were also ready for a tie up of their
branches with IOC.
Recommendations
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• More IOC retail outlets should be covered under the Xtrarewards loyalty
program so that prospective alliance partners are interested in joining the
program.
• Get in more food, apparel stores as partners. Alliances with book stores,
eg Crossword etc would also be beneficial.
• Products for both the genders is needed, there are very less gifts to attract
women.
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