...|i| |s| |f| |y| |a| |g| |r| |o| |w| |i| |n| |g| |d| |e| |m| |a| |n| |d| | | |N| |a| |ï| |m| |a| |F| |a| |k| |i| |r| |5| |/| |1| |5| |/| |2| |0| |1| |0| Supervisor: Dr. Brahim Allali | | Will there be enough organic food to satisfy a growing demand? Will Whole Foods Market (WFM) be able to meet this need? John Mackey, Chairman and CEO of the firm is facing this challenge of meeting the company's aggressive growth targets. Whole Foods Market is an Austin, Texas single natural food market. This joint venture was created in 1980, between “Clarksville Natural Grocery” and “Safer Way natural” grocery stores. WFM was the leading retailer with 172 stores in North America and the United Kingdom that offer a wide variety of both natural and organic food, including produce, grocery, seafood, meat and poultry, prepared foods and catering, bakery, beer, wine, floral, cheese, in addition to whole body, household products and animal products. In addition to the strict quality standards practices from its opening, WFM has outlined some core values. For instance, delighting and satisfying their customers, selling the highest organic and natural...
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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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...obesity, it is important to follow a healthy diet and exercise lifestyle. Unfortunately, this healthy diet food is under attack by use of GMO, pesticides, hormone additives, antibiotics, and other chemicals which are harmful to the body and cause other health problems. Zerbe (2010) reported that the President’s Cancer Panel is now urging people to eat foods grown without such harmful chemicals; organic foods. Due to such health concerns, organic food markets are slowly gaining popularity again as consumer demand is rising. This is great news not just for the consumers, but also the local organic farmer stands, e-commerce organic product sites and stores like the Whole Foods Market. In fact, this research will present the Whole Foods Market, Inc. strategic analysis. This analysis is being conducted to provide advice on how to integrate Whole Foods into ABC Company. It will cover the first step in the strategic planning process which is Whole Foods Market’s mission, vision and values; followed by presenting company’s Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis. This research will further discuss competition within the industry by conducting the Porter’s Five Forces Analysis and describe Whole Foods Market’s strategic position. Based on this analysis, I will provide my recommendation for the integration of Whole Foods into ABC Company. Whole Food...
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...Running Head: WHOLE FOODS CASE ANALYSIS 1 Whole Foods Case Analysis Thomas Edison State College WHOLE FOODS CASE ANALYSIS 2 The Whole Foods company mission is whole foods, whole people, whole planet. The Whole Foods company strategy reflects the company mission. Their whole foods mission is achieved by offering a wide variety of food and non-food items that are organic or natural. They source their products locally and usually have stricter store guidelines for the definition of “local” requiring a shorter maximum distance for traveling. “Locally grown” n.d. Their standards of quality are high and they strive to provide products that are fresh, safe and support well being. They have a list of unacceptable ingredients for food and quality standards for other products. “Quality standards” n.d. Their mission of whole people is achieved through the formation of teams at the store level. The teams manage themselves and are encouraged to make decisions about their department they are responsible for. Compensation is in part from stock options so they are invested in the profitability of the store. Fortune magazine has listed them as on the top 100 companies to work for for 13 years in a row now. Team members can go on field trips to...
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...COMPETITIVE FORCES AND SWOT ANALYSIS Competitive Forces and SWOT Analysis Teresa Hamlett BUS 599 Strayer University Dr. Russell Handlon January 22, 2012 Competitive Forces and SWOT Analysis Got organic? Concerns for healthier foods have led to consumers purchasing alternative foods. Consumers have found solace with organic foods. Organic foods are considered to be like natural foods. These foods do not contain any harmful processing agents or ingredients or chemicals and pesticides. Whole Foods Market is a producer and seller of organic foods. The trends associated with retailing of organic foods have impacted those of Whole Foods Market. Other supermarkets who are now selling organic foods have created a competitive environment in which Whole Foods Market must vie with. A SWOT analysis will reveal the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats Whole Foods Market must face. A further analysis of these will be useful in Whole Foods Market maintaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Organic Food Trends “According to the USDA, 2000 was the first year in which more organic food was sold in conventional U.S. supermarkets than in the nation’s 14,500 natural foods stores (Thompson 2009, Pg. C-4).” Supermarkets have stocked more organic foods over the last decade and have even setup sections that only have organic foods in those sections. As consumers are becoming more health conscious, worried about what is in their foods, and concerned about...
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...Whole Foods memorandum to: business Policy subject: Whole Foods Case Analysis ------------------------------------------------- date: [ 9/2/2012 ] INTRODUCTION The following is a situational analysis of Whole Foods. I will be explaining the company’s background, current situation, SWOT analysis, key issues and alternatives and my recommendations for the company. CURRENT SITUATION In 1980, Whole Foods Market evolved from a local supermarket that sold natural and health foods in Austin, Texas, into the world’s largest chain of natural and organic foods supermarket. In 2009, the company has sales revenue of $8 billion and in 2010, had 289 stores in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Over the past 32 years, Whole Foods has become the leader in organic and natural foods throughout the United States, helping the people of the United States become more aware of their food habits.. John Mackey, co-founder and CEO, believed that marketing high quality natural and organic foods to more and more customers in more and more communities would help spread the word that our diets are very important to way we live, allowing people to see how they can enjoy a long, healthy and pleasurable life. Mackey states that he wants Whole Foods to become an international brand synonymous with carrying the highest quality natural and organic foods available and being the best food retailer in every community in which Whole Foods stores were located. He wants Whole Foods to set...
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...Whole Foods Market By Larry Davis Discuss the trends in the retailing of organic foods and the impact of these trends on Whole Foods Market. A growing appetite for Organic foods have been observed as a recent trend in the markets of United States in specific and the rest of the global market in general. This has been observed due to the change in the thinking process of the people in terms of remaining healthy and staying fit. The retailing of organic foods as traditional suppliers of organic foods faced competition from companies new to this sector (Plunkett, 2007). The organic foods are now not only sold in the natural product stores such as Whole Foods and food cooperatives but also in supermarkets such as big box stores like Wal-Mart, Costco and the like. These foods do not contain artificial flavors and harmful elements. The rise in the health consciousness has resulted in rise in the demand of such foods. These being healthier as compared to the in comparison to the other fast food this is the reason for the increasing demand and boom in this sector of the industry. However in the earlier times, the increase in demand was not aided by equal supply by the suppliers and thus it became necessary to adopt a proper strategy for supplying and fulfilling demand of the market. The organic handlers responsible for purchasing organic foods from the farmers can be held responsible for boosting and supplying to the retailers and made it available at supermarkets, formal retails...
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...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...
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... INTRODUCTION In this finale paper of the ending of this course, I have chosen to use Whole Foods Market, Inc. as the company to evaluate and analyze. Whole Foods Market mainly has a history or trend of strong cash flow and stock position. This is a constantly prospering company. Since 2010, there has been a slew of new stores that have opened just in the Midwest and Canada. They are expanding all over the United States and have even made some deals to take over ownership of majority of the Dominick’s grocery stores that are closing in the Chicago-land area. Whole Foods Market is in the Organic and Natural Food Industry. Their main products are Organic and Natural grocery and retail items. Their main competitor is Trader Joe’s. My personal analysis of this company for an investor would be to absolutely invest into Whole Foods Market. It would be a high recommendation from my standpoint. Of course there are risks to any kind of stock or shareholding but I see way more strengths in this company, regardless of the annual statements at use here below. Whole Foods Market is prospering, growing, and just getting better each and every year. It would be an investor’s mistake to pass up the investment in such a prosperous and quickly expanding company. I have provided three different statements in this paper; the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, and the Cash Flow Statement. I included the Cash Flow Statement...
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...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...
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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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...Running head: COMPETITIVE FORCES AND SWOT ANALYSIS Competitive Forces and SWOT Analysis Assignment #2 Whole Foods Market Strayer University BUS599016VA016-1116-001 Strategic Management July 17, 2011 Abstract This paper examines the business strategy of Whole Foods Market. The paper will also examine the competitive environment and significant threats to Whole Foods Market’s competitive advantage. The company’s competitive strategy and the impact of the trends in organic foods will also be discussed. Competitive Forces and SWOT Analysis Assignment #2 Whole Foods Market In 1980 Whole Foods Market started out as one small store in Austin, Texas. Today there are more than three hundred stores in North America and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market is a mission oriented company (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/). They speak of their mission in terms of Whole Foods-Whole People-Whole Planet. Whole Foods they search for the finest natural and organic foods available. Their mission is to find the highest quality, least processed natural foods. They search for foods without artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives. Whole People they are a people company. They are passionate about healthy good and a healthy planet. They create a respectful workplace where people are treated fairly and are motivated to succeed. Whole Planet they are committed to take care of the world. They support organic farming and sustainable...
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...Date: To: 26 January 2011 Mr. John Mackey, CEO Whole Foods Market , SVP Corporate Strategy Group Interim Strategic Analysis From: RE: In response to our conversation on January 19, I have prepared a strategic analysis to assess the current competitive position of Whole Foods Market in the retail grocery and organic food industries. As you are aware, the US food industry is intensely competitive with firms ranging from corner store shops up through national retail chains. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on healthy living as characterized by exercise, mental wellness, and eating healthy and organic food. In addition, concerns over food safety, particularly the use of pesticides and other chemicals, has gained media attention and caused some consumers to shift their purchase habits toward organic and natural products.1 If the government implements stricter food production policy, Whole Foods should expect an additional increase in sales. Lastly, a growing awareness of the food supply chain sustainability from the producer to the retail store has also attracted some customers to our stores. Whole Foods enjoys as loyal customer base because of our unique position as a national organic food retailer. We have seen an increase in middle aged and older customers shopping at our stores, in line with the aging US population. These customers tend to have higher discretionary spending and can afford to pay the premium price for organic groceries. On the other...
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...Topic: WHOLE FOODS MARKET : VISION, CORE VALUES AND STRATEGY Contents: * Introduction……………………………………………………2 * Main activity & Target group……………….......……………2 * Geographic Market & Acquisitions………......….….....…….2 * Challenges…………………………….………………………...3 * PEST…………………………………………………………….3 * Environmental analysis………………………………………...4 * Michael Porter 5 forces model…………………………………5 * Internal analysis………………………………………………...6 * Possessed Resources ……….………….……………………….7 * Strengths……………………………….……………………….7 * Weaknesses…………………………….……………………….8 * SWOT Analysis………………………….………………....…..8 * Current Economic Performance……….……………………..9 * Objectives………………………………….…………………...9 * Core values………………………………….………………….9 * Vision…………………………………………………………..10 * Mission…………………………………………………………10 * Strategy……………………………………....………………...11 * Conclusion……………………………………………………..11 Introduction I n 1978, 25-year-old college dropout John Mackey and 21-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.When the couple got booted out of their apartment for storing food products there, they decided to simply live at the store. Two years later, John and Rene partnered with Craig Weller and Mark Skiles to merge SaferWay with their Clarksville Natural Grocery, resulting in the opening of the original Whole Foods Market on September 20, 1980....
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...Unit 3 Internal Analysis and Long-Term Objectives Case Study Analysis Kaplan University School of Business MT460 Management Policy and Strategy Author: Gerald Short Professor: Dr. Andryce Zurich Date: 12/31/2015 Internal Analysis and Long-Term Objectives Company Name: Whole Foods Market Topic of the Week: Internal Analysis and Long-Term Objectives Synopsis of the Situation Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading company in natural and organic food sales. Their growth and success is due to being highly selective about what they sell, they are also dedicated to high quality standards and their core values. They are also the first American grocer to be a nationally certified organic and ranked 284th in Fortune 500 (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Whole Foods is struggling to maintain its edge over today’s competition, many of their competitors can purchase more product and sell it for less. Due to the rising awareness of healthier eating and farmers producing more organic and natural products Whole Foods finds itself in a precarious position. The position would be the fierce competition from big box retailers such as Wal*Mart, target, Costco, and the standard grocery stores. These competitors have the ability to order larger quantities at a lower cost giving them the ability to offer the natural or organic products at a lower price (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Alternative Solutions 1. Increase brand awareness, image, and loyalty through advertising...
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