...American Warehouse Clubs As of 2010 the nearly $215 billion discount warehouse and wholesale club segment within the North American retailing industry consisted of three major competitors (Thompson, C55-73). These competitors included Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club which is also a Wal-Mart subsidiary, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. All three of these warehouse clubs also competed with a wide range of other types of retailers such as retailer discounters like Wal-Mart and Dollar General, general merchandise chains like Target and Kohl’s, specialty chains like Office Depot and Staples in office supplies and Best Buy in electronics and DVDs, supermarkets, gas stations, and even internet retailers (Thompson, C55-73). The competitive forces which influence these wholesale businesses are the suppliers, substitute products, buyer, new entrants, and rival firms. The strongest force out of these five competitive forces is rival firms. Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ Wholesales are all competing for equivalent buyers within the North American wholesale club industry and market. BJ while on the smaller scale, does still have competition from both Costco and Sam’s Club, however they have not been as affected by their competition on the East Coast. Unlike BJ Wholesale Costco and Sam’s Club are both international. Even though Costco has a considerable market share they still have pretty stiff competition when it comes to Sam’s Club. The reason being is because both Costco and Sam’s Club are domestic...
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...American Warehouse Clubs Date: 7-08-2012 | 1. Competition like in the North American wholesale club industry: - In North America discount warehouse and whole club segment has $125 billion market shares captured by Costco, Sam’s and BJ’s. There is high competition in the whole club sector, because every firm wants to enter a more profitable market by offering low prices with top quality products to grab customer attention. To attain this they have low operating cost and low labor cost to operate their facilities. They dictate the suppliers for price, deliveries and payment terms. As it indicates the suppliers have to wait for 30 to 60 days for their payments after the delivery is done. Other than general customers these clubs are attracted small business owners, churches and non-profit organizations. To increase the profit margins they introduced annual membership fee collected from customers to purchase products in whole sale clubs. Among the three whole sale clubs Costco and Sam’s club are in various states and have also established themselves internationally. But BJ‘s has limited their store to eastern seaboard of the US only and its market share is not affected by other two clubs at their positions. BJ’s accepts coupons which add value to its customers. This is an advantage to BJ’s and a disadvantage to the other two firms. BJ’s does have same competition levels of the other two clubs to participate in rivalry. When compared to Costco and Sam’s club the major market share...
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...Costco Business Model And Elements Of Costcos Strategy, Management1. What is Costco’s business model? Is the company’s business model appealing? Why or why not?2. What are the chief elements of Costco’s strategy? How good is the strategy?Posted by Alena | Posted Date: 8/7/2011 12:03:45 PM | 1. What is Costco’s business model? Is the company’s business model appealing? Why or why not?Business Model is used to exemplify the methods and ways which we used to generate planned revenue. The Costco’s business model is to generate high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover by offering low prices on limited selection of national branded and select private-label products in wide range of merchandise categories. Costco’s offers these products to their members who are of two types’ business members and gold star members.This business model is tempting because it gives a test to Costco’s management to continue to devise strategies and methods through which they can keep hold of existing members and catch the attention of new members. Otherwise they will suffer failure because there will be a risk that discontented members will not renew their membership. This business model takes company towards total quality management.2. What are the chief elements of Costco’s strategy? How good is the strategy?Strategy is the organization’s pre selected means or approach to gaining its goals or objectives, while keeping in view current and future external conditions. Costco’s strategy’s elements...
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...Sam’s Club Analysis Zhiyue Huang MKTG 437 Final Paper zhiyue huang Sam’s Club Analysis Zhiyue Huang MKTG 437 Final Paper zhiyue huang Executive Summary Sam’s Club warehouse wholesaler has been selling low priced, bulk items, under their parent corporation of Walmart, since 1983. Sam Walton had the vision of a place where small business owners could go shopping for the items that they need in order to run their company with a low price mark-up and dependable membership service quality. This analysis will separate with seven parts to show the result of the Sam’s club: Executive Summary, Brand/Store background, SWOT Analysis, Company position, Target Market, five mix retail consideration and conclusion. I will combine the customer experience and review with in the internet and people around me to deep find the strategies of the Sam’s club Currently, “nearly 600 locations are not only terrific places to save money, but also destinations for solutions that can help ease a busy schedule. Whether stocking a pantry or a business, selecting new electronics or getting ready for a party, our Members count on Sam’s Club as their source for the products and services they need to keep things running smoothly” (Sam’s Club Inc., 2010). Brand/Store Background Sam’s club is a subsidiary of Wal-Mart that is the largest retail stores chain around the globe. The Sam’s club is member specific and its existence dates back to 1983. Sam’s club’s name is affiliated...
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...Costco case study and strategic analysis Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco), one among the few largest wholesaler giant differentiates itself applying unique strategies relating to production and operations, and marketing which make it stand out from the rest of the retailers who are also said to be competitive in the retailing and wholesaling business globally. Costco is one of the innovative wholesalers teamed by very dynamic management team and dedicated, motivated and satisfied workforce with the mission “to continually provide its members the best quality products at the lowest possible prices” (Costco Annual Report 2006). Some of the fundamental principle of the Costco is that they obey the law, they take care of their members, they take care of their employees, they respect their suppliers, and finally they reward their shareholders. Some of the reasons how Costco can serve those highest quality goods of national brands for the lowest possible prices is that they eliminate different cost associated with delivery expenditures, account receivable, inventory, sales people, and fancy buildings. And they successfully operate themselves in the competitive environment serving not only an individual customers but also a legal customers (a company), and small business customers. Costco believe that society and the community is one of the key factors of their success. Therefore, they are willing to give back to their community and the society in terms of quality goods in...
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...COMPANY BACKGROUND Costco was founded by Jim Sinegal and Seattle entrepreneur Jeff Brotman. Operation of the first store of Costco began in 1983. There were nine Costco stores in five states by end of 1984. Costco became a public company for raising additional fund for business expansion in December 1985.Costco successful to reach one billion dollar in sales in less than six years which make the company the first ever United States (U.S) that reach that huge amount of sales. Costco merge with Price Club in year 1993 and came out with name of PriceCostco. Later, the name was changed to Costco Wholesale Corporation in August 1999.This warehouse club chain have 57 million members. It sales volumes only based on its members as it only open to their members and guests. Costco is the fourth largest retailer in the US and is the seventh largest in the world. Currently, Costco holding market share or in other words industry standing of US and Canada is about 55% . Whereas its close competitor Sam's Club market share is about 36% and 9% by BJ’s Wholesale Club. Costco offer tremendously lower price products with good quality and branded name. The price which are offer by Costco much lower compare to other conventional wholesale or retail that sell similar items and products. Profit generated by the company from its membership fees is about one billion with E- commerce sales contributing about five hundred and thirty four million. It was estimated that the renewal rate of the card...
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...merchandise that include a mix of across the country branded and illicit private-label products in an exceedingly wide selection of merchandise classes. This is an awfully appealing business model because it provides the power to control fruitfully at a lot of lower profit margin by securing marketer volume getting agreements, economical distribution, no-frill self-service warehouse facilities and supplemental membership fee revenue. Another magnet is because of the high sales volume and fast inventory turnover style of this business model, the accelerated money conversion cycle permissible Costco to gather the funds for inventory before marketer liabilities changing into due. This provided for marketer finance and also the ability to require advantage of early payment discounts that additional reduced operational prices. As a testament to the success of this business model, from 2008 through 2011, Costco was able to increase the amount of warehouses by 15.6%, revenues by 22.6%, and earnings by 14.0%. 2. What are the chief elements of Costco’s current strategy and is it effective? Costco’s...
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...Thinking Submitted to: Ron Steffel Submitted by: Georgette McIntosh N01 Xie Luxuan Dorquidia Alemany Date of Submission: May 3, 2015 Title of Assignment: Costco Case Study CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance I received in its preparation is fully acknowledge and disclosed in the paper. I have also cited any sources from which I used data, ideas of words, whether quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for this course. Student Signature: Georgette McIntosh ******************************************* Instructor’s Grade on Assignment: Instructor’s Comments: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY he purpose of this report was to examine the implications on employees motivations used at Costco Wholesale Corporation. Research for this report included a review of he purpose of this report was to examine the implications on employees motivations A. Problem Statement: State the main problem facing the firm (or industry) in one, succinct sentence. B. Analysis: Summarize the main findings of your analysis. You may use bullet points, bold, italics – any means to convey and highlight the key factors you have determined based on your analysis. C. Alternatives: State briefly (one sentence or a bullet point each) 2 or 3 alternative courses of action that could be implemented D. Recommendation: Choose one course of action...
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...SWOT Strengths – Pricing AuthorityBrand Loyalty Higher Revenues | Weaknesses – Geographic dependence Older Customer BaseLimited Goods and Services | Opportunities -Attracting Young customers International Expansion Growing Demands of private labels | Threats –Competition Internet Retailer gaintsIncrease Labour and healthcare cost | Strength (Internal Forces) : * Pricing Authority - Costco’s philosophy is to provide its members with quality goods at the most competitive prices. It does not focus its efforts on maximizing prices in the short term, but instead focuses to maintain a perception among its members of “pricing authority”, or consistently providing the most competitive prices. These bring customers back to the warehouse, since they have the belief that they are in fact getting the best price on a wide array of products. The company also uses its gasoline business to draw members to warehouses. While this business is relatively lower margined than others, it again drives higher volumes of other higher-margined products. * Brand Loyalty : Costco’s relentless pursuit of offering high-quality products and offering great value has allowed it to attract a very loyal customer base. This has allowed the company to grow market share and increase its customer base over the years. * Higher Revenues - Costco has rapid inventory turnover combined with high sales volume, contributing to higher revenues. The high sales volume ensures high revenues in spite of...
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...Business Analysis Part I – Wal-Mart Melissa Wojciehowski MGT/521 June 21, 2012 Dr. Felicia Bridgewater Business Analysis Part I – Wal-Mart Wal-Mart is a common staple in American society today, as it was in the past. From the time Wal-Mart opened its doors in Rogers, Ark back in 1962, Wal-Mart has served the public in ways that are unimaginable to other convenience store and retail chains throughout the nation. When first opened, Sam Walton imagined that his store would be a convenience to working families. The company became incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., on Oct. 31, 1969. (Walmart.com, 2012) This allowed for growth into various outlets such as automobile care, pharmaceuticals and warehouse sales (Sam’s Clubs). With this growth also came notoriety. The year after becoming incorporated, Wal-Mart, Inc. began trading shares on OTC markets and two years later were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Little did Mr. Walton know of the iconic changes Wal-Mart would put into place for businesses. In this paper I will examine, from the viewpoint of a mutual fund manager, whether or not Wal-Mart, Inc. is a company worth investing in. In order to do this, I will take a look at a brief SWOT analysis of the company as a whole. I will then examine Wal-Mart’s stakeholders, both internal and external, and whether or not Wal-Mart is living up to their expectations and what if anything needs to be done to make that happen. Strengths: Based on the corporate page of...
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...Costco Wholesale Corporation Costco Wholesale Corporation - Financial and Strategic Analysis Review Reference Code: GDRT28577FSA Publication Date: 10-Oct-2014 Company Snapshot Company Overview Key Information Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) is membership warehouses chain operator. The company's product portfolio includes sundries, hardlines, food, softlines, fresh food and ancillary. It offers two types of memberships, namely, business and gold star to its customers. Costco operates gasoline stations in the US and Canada. Costco offers its products online through websites including costco.com in the US and costco.ca in Canada. The company carries out the manufacture of products through Costco Wholesale Industries and operates about 663 warehouses. Geographically, the company operates in various countries including Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, Australia, the UK, Canada and Japan. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Key Information Web Address www.costco.com Financial year-end September Number of Employees 103,000 NASD COST Source : GlobalData Key Ratios Costco Wholesale Corporation, Key Ratios P/E 27.81 EV/EBITDA 18.25 Return on Equity (%) 18.82 SWOT Analysis Debt/Equity 0.48 Costco Wholesale Corporation, SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Operating profit margin (%) 2.90 Diverse Product Mix Dividend Yield 0.01 Dependence on the North American Market Value-Added Services Note: Above ratios...
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...nice case study |Bull Story |Bear Story | |Financial Strength and Stability |Economy Changes Discretionary Spending | |Dominant Market Position |May Not be Embraced Overseas | |Asset Play: own about 70% of properties |Large Debt | |Innovation Efforts | | Table of Contents |Company Overview | |3 | |Company History | |3 | |Recent History ...
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...Costco Marketing Plan Executive Summary: Costco is the largest membership warehouse club chains in the United States. As of July 2013, it is the fifth largest retailer in the United States and the ninth largest in the world. Costco is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, and was founded in Seattle, Washington. Costco has locations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Costco offers their customers with low prices on selected local and a limited selection of nationally branded products in a wide range of merchandise categories. Businesses and families can rely on Costco to offer high quality goods and services at everyday low prices. Rapid inventory turnover, high sales volume per warehouse, leveraging an efficient operating structure, reduced handling of merchandise, and making themselves the low cost operator in retail are all key elements that make the company so successful. Costco’s main priority is to benefit their members by creating value for purchasing everyday products and services. Company Description: The company was founded by James Sinegal, current President and CEO of Costco, and Jeffrey Brotman, Chairman of the Board of Directors. In October of 1993 Costco merged with a company called Price Club to form Price/Costco, Inc. Price Club was the first company to establish the concept of a membership warehouse. In 1999, the company changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation and moved back...
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...| Walmart | | | | | Danielle S Holley | 11/28/2011 | | Firms choose from different business-level strategies in order to proposer in today’s markets. One of these being the Cost Leadership Strategy, an integrated set of actions taken to produce goods or services with features that are acceptable to customers at the lowest cost, in comparison to their competitors. Firms that chose to use this strategy must sell standardized goods and services which have to also include competitive levels of differentiation to the market’s regular customers. Cost leaders have to examine all support activities to find extra resources in order to cut production costs allowing them to maintain low costs for their customers. In any industry fixed and variable costs can cause companies to go out of business. Cost Leadership Strategy can put a strain on companies because they have to keep developing new technology that can support low cost goods and services (with differentiation) as well as low production costs to satisfy the needs of customers in the market place. Using this strategy effectively can earn firms above-average returns in spite of rivals in the industry. Having the low-cost position in an industry is valuable way to deal with competitors. The cost leader’s strategic position causes competitors to think twice before they compete on the basics of price and technology against the potential outcomes of such competition (Hitt). Walmart is known for its ability...
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...MGT 499 Whole Foods Case Review 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 buzz that coincides with its vision of quality and goodwill, the specialty food retailer will be well positioned to experience rapid growth again when...
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