...Unit 5-Whole Food Market Case Study Analysis Kaplan University School of Business MT460 Management Policy and Strategy Author: Andrea Reed Professor: Dr. Marian Leerburger Date: November 21, 2012 Whole Food Market Case Analysis Introduction In 1978, John Mackey opened a natural foods grocery called Safer Way that focused mainly on vegetables. The store was not very successful and in 1979 Mackey joined with Craig Weller and Mark Skiles and they started Whole Foods Market. What Craig, Weller and Skiles wanted to do was change the world’s diet to a healthy one. Whole Foods not only has markets they have several other business; Allegro Coffee company, Pigeon cove seafood processing and Produce Field Inspection Office and Select Fish (Harasta and Hoffman, 2007). Whole Food Markets looks forward to one day providing the highest quality good tasting foods available. Synopsis of the Situation Whole Foods Market is a leading seller of natural and organic food. With over 100 stores their goal is to become one large store instead of a number of small ones. Whole Foods Market would like to make shopping for food into a pleasant, fun experience. It is the desire of Whole Foods to make the customer think of home when they enter one of their markets. The vision of Whole Foods is to have a brand known worldwide, and to introduce the future generation to a healthy diet and be the best in food retail( Key Issues With the growing demand will World Food Market be able to...
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...Case Study: Whole Foods Market in 2010: Vision, Core Values and Strategy Jessica Shramek Hawaii Pacific Whole Foods began with one small store in Austin, Texas in 1980. “In 1978, twenty-five year old college dropout John Mackey and twenty-one year old Rene Lawson Hardy, borrowed $45,000 from family and friends to open the doors of a small natural foods store called SaferWay in Austin, Texas (the name being a spoof of Safeway, which operated stores under their own name in Austin at that time)” (Wholefoodsmarket.com). A few years later, Mackey and Lawson Hardy partnered with Craig Weller and Mark Skiles to merge SaferWay with Clarksville Natural Grocery, which resulted in the opening of the original Whole Foods Market on September 20, 1980. Beginning in 1984, Whole Foods Market began its expansion out of Austin, by continuing to open new stores from the ground up, and by acquiring other natural foods chains. The chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing are providing the best natural and organic foods to customers through retail grocery stores. “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet” is the slogan and visionary statement John Mackey uses to describe his company and mission. Whole Foods sells products of the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful, naturally preserved, and the freshest foods available. When a product is labeled organic it has “to be grown and processed without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, synthetic chemicals...
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...1. What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing? The chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursing is providing the finest quality of products in the market that is free from preservatives and other genetically engineered products that reduce the quality of being organic. This means that it is has the least amounts of processed prods and are naturally preserved. Whole Foods Market strives to eventually dominate the local market and eventually the international market. They promote the vision of Whole Food, Whole People, Whole Planet. 2. Is the strategy well matched to recent developments and conditions in the natural and organic foods segment of the food retailing industry? Yes, their strategy is definitely well matched as Whole Foods focuses on supplying consumers with the healthiest products available. The products are without pesticides, hormones, and other genetically engineered products that could affect health, community, and agriculture. The quality products at Whole Foods have a flavorful taste and are preferred by the demands of health conscious consumers and the current trends of a healthy lifestyle. 3. Do you think John Mackey has a good strategic vision for Whole Foods? Why or why not? What do you like/dislike about the company’s motto “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet?” Do the motto and theprinciples underlying it (Exhibit 1) really matter at this company or arethey just nice words and cosmetic...
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...Ronald White: BA 427, Winter 2013: Whole Foods Market case study: As stated in the case study, the Whole Food Market Company’s vision and strategy is to offer "the most flavorful naturally preserved and fresh foods available.” The company intends to market their products in "appealing store environments that make shopping at whole foods interesting and enjoyable." The company's cofounder and CEO, John McKay, believes that the availability of high quality natural and organic foods, supported by education and socially conscious activities will "gradually transform the diet of individuals in a manner that would help them live longer, healthier, more pleasurable lives." (Case study, p.1) The company believes that its dedication to supporting organic farming, with programs such as the Whole Planet Foundation micro-loan program, supporting food banks, sponsoring neighborhood events, and donations to local nonprofit groups will generate the reputation and word of mouth needed to support the further success from a marketing standpoint. The company's image is further supported by its continued listing in the Forbes Best Places to Work list and recognition in health magazines. The vision is encompassed by the company motto “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet.” These principles are of the utmost importance to the company. By supporting the whole foods industry, healthier people from healthy food, and a healthier planet through green movement in agriculture and operations, this...
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...Unit 5 Whole Foods Case Study Analysis Kaplan University School of Business MT460 Management Policy and Strategy Author: Jonelle Newman Professor: Dr. Norris Date: March 29, 2014 Whole Foods Market Case Study Analysis Introduction Whole Foods Market began with a vision from entrepreneur John Mackey and his chain of stores has been successful for 30 years. Whole Foods Market focuses on natural and organic food items. One of the reasons why Whole Foods has been so successful is because their stores are different than its competition and the differentiation “allows them to charge a premium price for premium products.” (Pearce & Robinson, 2013, p. 29-1). Whole Foods focuses on natural and organic foods which is a definite plus as more people become focused on wellness and eating healthier. This leading supermarket chain does not waiver on its core values and mission and their mission statement which has also become their motto is simple: “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet.” (Farfan, 2014). Synopsis of the Situation Whole Foods has grown drastically over the years. The growth of the supermarket chain has been credited to store openings, acquisitions, and mergers. It is necessary to note that although the company’s total sales continue to increase; the operating margin and stocks have declined. (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Key Issues There are key issues that have been attributed to the decline of the company. The recession caused...
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...Whole Foods Student 1 Response to Discussion Question 3.1 Pertinent Management Issues The pertinent management issues of Whole Foods Market is to ensure the organization maintains its competitive advantage despite the economy. As discussed in the case study, the decline in the economy had negative impacts on the growth and competitive advantage of the organization. Leaders in Whole Foods Market should continue to focus on their current strategy and examine ways to maintain their competitive advantage. Analysis and Evaluation Five Forces Model: According to Thompson, Strickland, and Gamble (2012), the strategy of Whole Foods Market best aligns with a focused differentiation strategy. A focused differentiation strategy is “concentrating on a narrow buyer segment and outcompeting rivals with a product offering that meets the specific tastes and requirements of niche members better than the product offerings of rivals” (Thompson et al., 2012, p. 136). More simply put, the strategy of Whole Foods Market is a focus on a narrow buyer segment offering unique, differentiated products. Market Target: A focused differentiation strategy aims at securing a competitive advantage with a product designed to appeal to a specific group of buyers (Thompson et al., 2012). The specific group of buyers Whole Foods Market works to satisfy are those who have particular interest in natural and organic foods. Whole Foods Market has a strategy that will “help support the health, well-being, and...
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...Whole Foods Market: A Strategic Analysis Adrienne Lee Richard Linowes Spring 2009 General University Honors 5/6/2009 1 WHOLE FOODS MARKET: Strategic Company Analysis EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Whole Foods Market, Inc. has long been admired as an innovative company with quality standards, a devotion to community and environmental responsiveness, a healthy growth model and highly-regarded employment practices. However, the company has faced recent difficulties as a result of the economic recession, increasing competition, and complications from acquisitions. To revitalize the company from historical lows in its toughest year in history, Whole Foods Market must reassess its costs, refocus its expansion strategies, and promote its brand to compete for the diminishing consumer spending dollar. During the changes in strategic initiatives, it is also important for the company to keep Whole Foods Market’s mission and its brand value intact. The chain is known for its high standards, quality, and ethical practices; this image is at stake when any changes in brand or reputation are made. It is of utmost importance to balance the positioning in order to increase awareness and sales, but at the same time avoid diminishing the brand and message of the company. Without the value behind the Whole Foods brand, the company will not survive—recession or not. If Whole Foods can successfully complete these initiatives that include major restructuring while also generating public relations...
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...Assignment 2 Case Study: Whole Foods Market Professor: Russell Handlon BUS 599 October 20, 2011 Discuss the trends in retailing of organic foods and the impact of these trends on Whole Foods Market. The trends at Whole Food Markets were core values, growth strategy, store sizes and locations, product lines, store description and merchandising, marketing and customer service, store operations, compensation and incentives, purchasing and distribution, community citizenship and social activism which had a big impact on the company. Due to the fact that it had built a reputation throughout its history for being the leader in the natural and organic foods movement across the United States helping the industry gain acceptance among growing numbers of consumers concerned about the foods they ate (Thompson, Strickland, & Gamble, 2010). In such a hurry to produce more and more crops to please the growing demand, producers has had to resort to using a fatal cocktail of pesticides to control disease and insect attack which was excellent news for their bank balances. Maybe not good news for your health; this is why people need to be knowledgeable of the advantages of organic food. Did you know that if you ate an average apple you would be eating in excess of 30 pesticides, even after you’ve washed it? Organic food is well known to include 50% more minerals, nutrients and vitamins than produce that has been severely farmed (http://www.organicfoodinfo.net/). Whole Foods required...
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...Significance of study 4 1.2 Aims and Objective of the Study 5 1.3 Research Questions 5 2. Literature review 6 2.1 Defining private standards 6 2.2 Azerbaijan foreign trade overview 8 3. Standards, Exports and Developing Countries 9 3.1 Historical Emergence and Development of Private Standards 9 3.2 GlobalGAP 10 3.2 Assessing impact of private food standards 11 3.2.1. Impact indicators used in the literature - What to measure? 11 3.2. Impact assessment methodologies: How to measure? 13 4. Empirical Framework 14 4.1 Private Standards as Facilitators to Trade 14 4.2 Private Standards as Barriers to Trade 16 5. Analysis of the Impact of Private Food Standards on Azerbaijan's Export Trade Based On Literature Review Methodology 18 5.1 The General Form of the Literature Review Methodology…………… 18 5.2 Model Construction; Analysis of literature papers reviewed 21 5.5 Results and Analysis 24 6.6 Country differences: An Empirical Analysis 30 7. A Strategic Analysis on How to Protect Azerbaijan National Foreign Trade from Adverse Effects of Private Standards. 31 References 33 1 Introduction 1.1 Background In the last two decades, the increased globalization has seen trade standards take center stage in agri-trade regulations. Private standards have emerged as one of the most important mode of market governance in many countries. As many issues emerge pertaining to implications of food practices on health, the focus is on ensuring that the foods that enter...
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...CASE STUDIES Burger King case study Targeting the Superfan as a means of retaining growth in the fast food market Reference Code: CSCM0246 Publication Date: April 2009 DATAMONITOR VIEW CATALYST After years of poor sales, Burger King has turned its business around and now enjoys healthy business growth. This case study looks at how the company did this by refocusing its marketing towards the Superfan, namely young adult males who have a penchant for fast food. SUMMARY • Diageo was accused of neglecting Burger King under its ownership, letting the brand fall off the radar at a time when fast food in general was reporting favorable growth. The fast food chain's fortunes began to change after it was sold to a private equity triumvirate, which set about investing in promoting the business to the devoted fast food eater. This focus was a success, leading Burger King to gain 'cool status' in many peoples' eyes and to achieve strong growth. • Burger King's focus since being sold has been in targeting the Superfan, that is the 18–35 year old male who enjoys fast food. Company marketing efforts have focused on appealing to this consumer type, using both traditional and new media as a means to gain their attention. • Burger King's marketing has often been controversial, with two 2008 efforts standing out. The Whopper Virgins documentary, in which members of remote communities were given burgers to try for the first time, was deemed offensive and patronizing, while a Facebook...
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...ANAAB, WILLIAMS, BUS 421, 0360290, CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT 1 1. What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing? The chief elements of the strategy that whole Foods Market is pursuing are Fresh natural and organic foods and products with no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Promote healthier eating/lifestyle and increasing consumer knowledge/education of food safety, environment and how pesticides affect the land as well as the human body. 2. Is the strategy well matched to recent developments and conditions in the natural and organic foods segment of the food retailing industry? Yes the Whole Foods strategy has worked well for the company. They have good products and seem to have happy employees who also obtain shares in the company. They do not have much competition only on smaller scales or small areas in existing regular food markets. The company is still expanding even in this poor market and acquiring new stores and companies. 3. Do you think John Mackey has a good strategic vision for Whole Foods? Why or why not? What do you like or dislike about the company's motto "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"? Do the motto and the principles underlying it (exhibit 1) really matter at this company or are they just nice words and cosmetic window dressing? Explain. Yes, looking at the company’s profits and growth I believe John Mackey has an excellent strategic vision for this company and employees. He has managed...
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...CASE STUDIES Amy’s Kitchen Case Study From start-up to leading natural and organic frozen food brand Reference Code: CSCM0256 Publication Date: August 2009 DATAMONITOR VIEW CATALYST Amy’s Kitchen was established by Andy and Rachel Berliner in 1987, and concentrates on the production of natural and organic meals. The company has dramatically expanded its product range in the 22 years since its founding from its one initial vegetable pot pie and in the fiscal year 2008, recorded revenues of 240million USD. The global economic crisis has been problematic for Amy’s Kitchen, as consumers seeking to make savings to their household budgets have reduced their spending on organic and natural food. However, core customers remain and many will continue to both regularly purchase the brand and be unpaid ambassadors for it, which has been part of its marketing success since its inception. SUMMARY • The Amy’s Kitchen company began as a business in 1987 in California and is named after Amy Berliner, the daughter of the two founders Andy and Rachel Berliner. The company has grown into the leading natural frozen food brand in the US, benefiting from the rise of the organic foods market. • The two founders had previous experience of working in the food industry with the Magic Mountain Herbal Tea Company and in the case of Rachel Berliner’s family from organic farming. This placed them in good stead for the creation of their organics company. • The company is resolutely in favor of...
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...Whole Foods Market Strategic Management Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…….p. 3 Trends in the Organic Foods and the Impact on Whole Foods…………………........p. 3 Application of Porter’s 5 Forces Model………..…………………………….............p. 4 Most Significant Environmental Threat and Whole Foods Combat ………………...p. 6 SWOT Analysis….…………………………………………..………………........…p. 7 Sustaining Competitive Advantage...…………………………………...….………..p. 8 Summary….………………………………………………………….………..…….p. 8 References.…………………………………………………………..……………....p. 10 Whole Foods Market Introduction John Mackey cofounder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) founded Whole Foods in 1980 with the purpose of providing organic foods to the grocery shopping public. This started a movement over the next 30 years that has brought organic foods to the common shoppers in many markets around the U.S. that had only been previously serviced by smaller health food stores or by their local grocery chain. The success of Whole Foods moving forward will be how they can succeed and maintain their profitability when unemployment remains high and Americans have less disposable income. This essay will look at several factors of Whole Foods, including latest trends, the competitive environment in the grocery industry, environmental threats, SWOT analysis of the business operations and strengths that must be leveraged to maintain a competitive advantage. Trends in the Organic Foods...
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...suppliers that deal directly or indirectly, consumers and customers, and other local stakeholders. Micro tends to suggest small, but this can be misleading. In this context, micro describes the relationship between firms and the driving forces that control this relationship. It is a more local relationship, and the firm may exercise a degree of influence. The macro-environment This includes all factors that can influence and organization, but that are out of their direct control. A company does not generally influence any laws (although it is accepted that they could lobby or be part of a trade organization). It is continuously changing, and the company needs to be flexible to adapt. There may be aggressive competition and rivalry in a market. Globalization means that there is always the threat of substitute products and new entrants. The wider environment is also ever changing, and the marketer needs to compensate for changes in culture, politics, economics and technology. [pic][pic][pic] The internal environment. All factors that are internal to the organization are known as the 'internal environment'. They are generally audited by applying the 'Five Ms' which are Men, Money,...
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...most influential drivers of marketing in the UK business community. The Society challenges its members to think differently and to be bolder marketing leaders by supporting the development of leading-edge thinking, and promoting the evidence of effective marketing. The Society does this through the Marketing Society Awards for Excellence; its publications Market Leader, Our Week and rich online Knowledge Zone; a national programme of world-class events; innovative professional development, such as the annual Marketing Leaders Programme; and extensive on-and-offline networking opportunities. www.marketing-society.org.uk Foreword | Marketing Excellence 2 | Foreword By Roisin Donnelly, President of The Marketing Society What is marketing excellence? Marketing excellence can drive breakthrough business results for the short and long term. Marketing excellence requires great strategic thinking, great creative thinking and perfect execution. But how do we assess marketing excellence? First we choose brilliant industry judges who are all experienced and successful practitioners of excellence and we ask them to pick out the cases which they see as remarkable. We ask them to look for two key qualities from our winners: creativity and effectiveness. But marketing continuously changes and evolves, as consumers become more sophisticated and demanding and the media for communicating with them ever more diverse. So the standards for marketing excellence change and in turn become more demanding...
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