Research Paper on:
Blue Nile Inc.

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
Analysis 18 5.1 Strengths 18 5.2 Weaknesses 19 5.3 Opportunities 20 5.4 Threats 21 6. Buying Shares? 23 1. Introduction Blue Nile Inc., is a major online supplier of diamonds and jewelry. The company which was founded in 1999  is based in Seattle, Washington, has grown into the largest online supplier of diamonds and jewelry. The firm seeks to compete with the development of an exclusive image and a  number of different competitive advantages and is supplying luxury goods to the US, Canada and the Europe during a credit crunch. There are general reports that despite the current credit  crunch there is still growing demand in the diamond market (Mulligan, 2008). The firm is now quoted on the NASDAQ stock exchange  following an IPO in 2004. In this changeable environment is it advisable to look carefully before investing in any company, especially one that is supplying high price goods. Therefore before  deciding whether or not to invest in this company it is essential that the firm should be examined, in the context of the industry and the macro environment as well  as in relationship to its own efficiencies and performance levels. To undertake this differing analysis techniques can be utilized, the use of Porters Five Forces model can be used  to assess the industry and the firms ability to compete in that industry, the way the firm is competing can be considered in the context of the competitive strategies and  competitive advantages. A SWOT analysis can be used to look at the firm in the macro environment as well as the internal issues the firm faces, and consideration of the  strategic issues the firm does, or may face in the future, will indicate the challenges that lay ahead. This information along with general stock performance data can be used to