Premium Essay

Wild Oats Case Study

In:

Submitted By lordstrell
Words 2086
Pages 9
1. Historical Events of Wilds outs
- In 1979 upon returning from France Mike Gilliand retrofitted a trailer to sell crepes in New Orleans to market to the Mardi Gras revelers. He picked up a traveling hobo to work for him and set up shop on a corner of a street till he eventually got chased off by the police because he didn’t have a business license. He rinsed and repeated this process throughout the day and was immediately entranced by the entrepreneurial aspect of life. I personally found his first venture interesting, low cost startup and surprisingly effective during a celebratory period. Although I am not sure if you could get away with not having a license as easily as he did today this is still something interesting to take in mind of simplicity is often times the best place to start.

- Later in 1979, Gilliand moved to Miami in order to accommodate his girlfriend wanting to attend the University of Miami. While being here he attempted to setup his second business to teach parasailing in the Caribbean using a boat that he bought in Miami to try and take advantage of the large amount of tourists, which included snorkeling as well. The business however did not take off as he expected so he sold his boat and returned to Miami. I personally think this was a smart move, and I can see that he has a good eye for if a business is going anywhere or not and when to call it quits while he still can.

- Headed to boulder Colorado with his girlfriend for her to attend the law program and for Gillian to finish his undergraduate. Good that he is finishing his degree, never know when it will come in handy.

- Gilliand graduated in 1982 and picked up several menial jobs while his girlfriend still attended law school. While he was working he continued to look through the business opportunities page in the local newspaper.

- In February 1984 Gilliand made his next

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Case Study

...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...

Words: 1492 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Whole Foods Case

...The purpose of this document is to discuss interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication is found in various aspects of life. How we communicate in most cases makes up what other people think and observe of us. Poor communication often is the main problem in a troubled relationship, both professional and personal. To better understand communication a person must acknowledge many different aspects, including speech, body language, and context. Context, the time, place, or occasion when communication is encoded, has a very large role in transmitting a message. Without the right context, a message could be perceived as the opposite as it was intended. The best way to begin to understand the communication process is to understand the interactive communication model. First, there is a sender who encodes a message to the receiver. Noise interfering with the communication of a message is called a channel. The receiver then decodes this message depending on the context of the situation, and the speaker’s credibility. 1.      Discuss how the basic interpersonal communication model that is presented in Figure 8.1 can be applied to the impersonal nature of an online forum. The basics of interpersonal communication are represented in an online forum. A sender or the person originating the message exists in an online forum as does a receiver, the person receiving the message. There is a two-way communication as there is interaction between a sender and...

Words: 1238 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Case 1, Whole Foods Market

...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...

Words: 1419 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Whole Food

...VALUES AND STRATEGY CASE STUDY [pic] PRESENTED BY: What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing? Brief Background Whole Foods Market was founded in 1980 as a local supermarket and has now become world’s largest retail chain of natural and organic foods supermarkets. Whole Foods offers the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and naturally preserved foods available. Whole foods market has its own private label brands of organics. Whole Foods Market aims to sell the highest quality natural and organic products, satisfy and delight its customers and team members, create wealth through profits and growth and care about communities and environment. Current Strategy and possible growth The core value of Whole Foods was “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Plant.” They cared about their foods, their staff, their customers as well as the environment, so they came up with many strategies, which are listed as follow: I. Expanded the company by opening new stores and acquiring attractive candidates. Because of the growth need of the company, acquisition was a good way to roll. The biggest acquisition for Whole Foods was the purchase of its biggest competitor, Wild Oats Market, in 2007. This gave Whole Foods an easy way to enter into new big cities and even new states, but meanwhile costs of capital were large too. According to the failure of Wild Oats Market, which generated excessive...

Words: 2346 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Whole Foods

...Whole Foods Michael K. Cooper Sr Principles of Organizational B– Business 322 Professor Christopher McGrath July 27, 2011 Whole Foods 2 Abstract In this paper I’ll discuss interpersonal communication, defensive communication and how it transforms the way people communicate. How we communicate in most cases makes up what other people think and observe of us.  Poor communication often is the main problem in a troubled relationship, both professional and personal.  To better understand communication a person must acknowledge many different aspects, including speech, body language, and context. Context, the time, place, or occasion when communication is encoded, has a very large role in transmitting a message.  Without the right context, a message could be perceived as the opposite as it was intended.  The best way to begin to understand the communication process is to understand the interactive communication model.  First, there is a sender who encodes a message to the receiver.  Noise interfering with the communication of a message is called a channel.  The receiver then decodes this message depending on the context of the situation, and the speaker’s credibility. I will also discuss the ethical behavior of Mr. John Mackey CEO of Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods 3 Discuss how the basic interpersonal communication model that is presented in Figure 8.1 can be applied to the impersonal nature of an online forum. Interpersonal...

Words: 1248 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Whole Foods Market 2008

...COMPANY BACKGROUND Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin, Texas, when four local businesspeople decided the natural foods industry was ready for a supermarket format. Their founders were John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy, owners of Safer Way Natural Foods, and Craig Weller and Mark Skiles, owners of Clarksville Natural Grocery. The original Whole Foods Market opened in 1980 with a staff of only 19 people. It was an immediate success. At the time, there were less than half a dozen natural food supermarkets in the United States. It has grown in leaps and bounds since then. Today, they are the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 310 stores in the North America and the United Kingdom (About Whole Foods Market). During its 31-year history, Whole Foods Market has been a leader in the natural and organic food movement across the United States, helping the industry gain acceptance among growing numbers of consumer concerned about the food they eat (Thompson, Strickland, & Gamble, 2010, p.C-2). The company seeks out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintains the strictest quality standards in the industry, and has an unshakeable commitment to sustainable agriculture. Add that to the excitement and fun they bring to shopping for groceries, and you start to get a sense of what they are all about. John Mackey, the company’s cofounder and CEO, believes that Whole Foods’ rapid growth and market success has much to do with its having “remained...

Words: 6451 - Pages: 26

Premium Essay

Whole Foods Market in 2008 Case Study

...COMPANY BACKGROUND Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin, Texas, when four local businesspeople decided the natural foods industry was ready for a supermarket format. Their founders were John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy, owners of Safer Way Natural Foods, and Craig Weller and Mark Skiles, owners of Clarksville Natural Grocery. The original Whole Foods Market opened in 1980 with a staff of only 19 people. It was an immediate success. At the time, there were less than half a dozen natural food supermarkets in the United States. It has grown in leaps and bounds since then. Today, they are the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 310 stores in the North America and the United Kingdom (About Whole Foods Market). During its 31-year history, Whole Foods Market has been a leader in the natural and organic food movement across the United States, helping the industry gain acceptance among growing numbers of consumer concerned about the food they eat (Thompson, Strickland, & Gamble, 2010, p.C-2). The company seeks out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintains the strictest quality standards in the industry, and has an unshakeable commitment to sustainable agriculture. Add that to the excitement and fun they bring to shopping for groceries, and you start to get a sense of what they are all about. John Mackey, the company’s cofounder and CEO, believes that Whole Foods’ rapid growth and market success has much to do with its having “remained...

Words: 6451 - Pages: 26

Premium Essay

John Mackey and Whole Foods Market

...Short Case Study Analysis Outline Brittany Coleman Professor Drake Mullens Business Strategy October 29th, 2012 Question #1 What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing? Is the strategy well matched to recent developments and conditions in the natural and organic foods segment of the food retailing industry? As two young hippies in the late 70’s, John Mackey and his girlfriend opened an all natural food market in Austin, Texas. The store blossomed successfully, with several more opening in surrounding towns. Each store produced accordingly and did well, however, Whole Market Foods big rise didn’t come until after 1992, when John Mackey made the decision to start buying natural food retailers all over the United States. With this demanding statement, Whole Foods Market made a startling presence in the produce aspect of things. John Mackey makes Whole Foods Market thrive with his strange but successful tactics that he uses. Instead of completely changing every store that he buys out, or market he takes over, he takes unique tendencies that each has and uses it to help the original better. Over 70% of Whole Foods Market were made from complete scratch, giving each one its own personality. Whole Foods Market main goal is to provide the most naturally produced and preserved foods that they can, in the most appealing and presentable way that they can. The fact that John Mackey is consistently open to new change for the profit...

Words: 1662 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Whole Foods

...Brandy Horejs MGMT 634 Week 2 Assignment 1. What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing? Since going public in 1991, Whole Foods’ growth strategy has been to expand via a combination of opening its own new stores and acquiring small, owner-managed chains that have capable personnel and are located in desirable markets. Since one of its core values was to satisfy and delight customers, Whole Foods Market empowered team members to do whatever it took to meet or exceed customer expectations on every shopping trip. Competent, knowledgeable, and friendly service is a hallmark of shopping at a Whole Foods Market. Teams were also empowered to make many decisions at the store level pertaining to merchandising, departmental operations, and efforts to please customers. Whole Foods Market seeks to offer the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and naturally preserved foods available. 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 well matched to recent developments and conditions in the natural and organic foods segment of the food retailing industry. With consumer demand for organic foods growing at close to 20 percent annually, and mounting consumer enthusiasm for organic products, Whole Foods Market made sure that they offered a vast array of products to make their store a one stop shopping experience for their...

Words: 3355 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Whole Foods Case Study

...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...

Words: 1715 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Whole Foods

...Whole Foods Case # 2 By: Natalie Gallant Dr. Nathan Campbell Strategic Management January 31, 2012 Whole Foods 1. The chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing a fresh, natural and organic food and product with no preservatives or artificial ingredients. The company proclaimed that, “its deepest purpose as an organization was helping support the health, well-being, and healing of both people and the planet” (Thompson 246). Whole Foods Market can do this by promoting a healthier eating/lifestyle and increasing consumer knowledge on food safety, the environment and how pesticides affect the land as well as the human body itself. With giving knowledge to the public on how pesticides and growth hormones are toxic to a human body they can make the public question what they are putting into their body and by that they can get the public to soon become customers and get them to go the organic route of eating. Not only do they give knowledge on how these chemicals can harm the human body but they can also harm the environment, and with our planet trying to go more of the “green” route, Whole Foods also has an advantage on getting more customers that way. 2. The strategy is well matched to recent developments and conditions in the natural and organic food segment of the food retailing business. The Whole Foods strategy has worked well for the company. They have good products including their own “Whole” brand name as well as several other brand name...

Words: 1055 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Whole Foods Case Study

...Executive Summary As reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September, 27, 2015, Whole Foods Markets, Inc. continues to be the leading natural and organic foods supermarket (and the 5th largest public food retailer and 10th largest food retailer based on industry 2014 sales rankings), currently operating 431 stores in 42 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, 10 in Canada and 9 in the United Kingdom. In this case study, “ WFM” or the “Company” will refer to the parent company and the name “Whole Foods” will refer to its stores and grocery business generally. What started as a single small natural foods store called SaferWay in Austin, Texas in 1978 led to the opening of the original Whole Foods Market in 1980, followed by a combination of building new stores and acquiring existing ones. WFM went public in 1992 and not only continued to increase the number and size of Whole Foods stores, but also raised industry standards for the production and distribution of natural foods as well as promoting respectful and sustainable farming and business practices. Additionally, WFM is regularly recognized as one of most desirable employers, with human resources and management practices that allow for more regional discretion and local involvement plus genuine employee input, enhanced employee education and development, and relatively higher compensation within the industry. Founder and CEO John Mackey strives to balance his health- and environment-oriented...

Words: 5959 - Pages: 24

Premium Essay

Whole Foods Market: a Strategic Analysis

...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...

Words: 4703 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Proving Defamation

...Business Law & Ethics 2 October 2012 Defamation: Daphne Auto LLC v. Pensacola Motor Sales Defamation (defamation of character) is the tort of publication of a false statement of fact that causes injury to someone’s reputation or character. Defamation allegations can also be brought via a similar arena of portraying a false light which indicates false implications rather than definitive false statements (Citizens Media Law Project). Our case, an Alabama business lawsuit, Daphne Auto., LLC v. Pensacola Motors Sales, Inc. involves defamation in the form of slander. The case was filed January 1, 2010 in Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama. The litigants are Daphne Automotive, LLC d/b/a Eastern Shore Toyota and Shawn Esfahani, v. Pensacola Motor Sales, Inc. d/b/a Bob Tyler Toyota and its sales manager Fred Keener. The crux of the suit references defamatory statements made about Esfahani and Eastern Shore Toyota by Bob Tyler Toyota, its sales manager, Fred Keener, and its employees to potential customers regarding his birthplace, him being an Islamic terrorist, and that he was using his dealership to fund Taliban operations in Iraq. Mr. Esfahani learned of the alleged defamation against him from a couple that had previously purchased a vehicle from Bob Tyler Toyota but were now shopping to purchase a vehicle for the wife. The plaintiff in his pursuit petitioned the court to be awarded compensatory and punitive damages on three courses of actions (Daphne v Pensacola): ...

Words: 4070 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Managerial Microeconomics

...Econ 511: Managerial Microeconomics Spring 2010 Syllabus Department of Economics Business School HKUST Yuk-fai Fong (房育辉) Time and Venue: Section 1: 9:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m., Saturday, April 9 – June 4 (except April 23) Section 2: 2:30 p.m. – 5:50 p.m., Saturday, April 9 – June 4 (except April 23) Venue: Room Rm 4219 (Lift 19) Instructor: Yuk-fai Fong Email: y-fong@kellogg.northwestern.edu Phone: 2358-7600 Office Location: Room 3434 Email is always a great way to reach me. Office Hours: By appointment Course Web Site: http://lmes2.ust.hk Course Description Businesses exist to create and capture economic value. A business creates value by combining inputs such as labor, materials, and capital to make products and services that consumers need and desire. And it survives and thrives by charging a price that equals or exceeds the cost of delivering the products and services that consumers value. In this course, students learn how businesses optimally create and capture value and how their abilities in doing so are impacted by various market forces and the strategic interaction among players in the industry. A good understanding of the 1 economic principles that govern the distribution of value in markets is critical to formation of a successful and sustainable business strategy. Learning Objectives:       Understand and apply tools, concepts, and theories from microeconomics to perform industry and demand analyses. Apply demand and supply analyses in predicting...

Words: 1905 - Pages: 8