Whole Foods Market Case Analysis
Consultant 2
Case 1: Whole Foods Market
1. Identification of issues
Whole Foods needs to stand out from other natural, organic supermarket chains, stores
Whole Foods needs to bounce back from worldwide economic recession of 2008/09
Whole Foods needs to expand and grow, but only in areas, regions whose demographics align with those which Whole Foods seeks out (urban, food-conscious, upper-class)
Whole Foods needs to maintain business practices that align with its 7 core values
2. Analysis
Whole Foods Ethical, Social, and Environmental SWOT Analysis:
-Strengths:
Responsible sourcing of food
Healthy eating education program
Donating 5% of profits to charity
Dedicated to promoting organic, responsible farmers
Respectable employee wages, discounts, benefits
-Weaknesses:
Mackey’s vocal slandering of competitors and the FCC
Promotion of alcohol at a family supermarket
Higher prices may drive potential customers away
-Opportunities:
Use responsible sourcing as a means of bringing in new environmentally-conscious customers
Become first worldwide natural, organic grocer’s market
Promote healthy lifestyles via the food products offered at stores
Continued expansion as a result of positive financial performance
-Threats:
Competitors, eg. Trader Joes, Fresh Market
Rising costs related to responsibly sourcing food products
Risings costs, difficulties associated with opening new stores while maintaining growth, prosperity of existing ones
Environmental uncertainties
3. Recommendations
Slow down opening of new stores; concentrate on already-opened stores in an effort to gain a better outlook on long-term viability
This relates to Whole Foods mission of offering “the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and naturally preserved foods.” By keeping a closer eye on their preexisting stores as opposed to only focusing on the addition of new stores Whole Foods can accurately and effectively maintain the high quality standards they have been
Case 1: Whole Foods Market
1. Identification of issues
Whole Foods needs to stand out from other natural, organic supermarket chains, stores
Whole Foods needs to bounce back from worldwide economic recession of 2008/09
Whole Foods needs to expand and grow, but only in areas, regions whose demographics align with those which Whole Foods seeks out (urban, food-conscious, upper-class)
Whole Foods needs to maintain business practices that align with its 7 core values
2. Analysis
Whole Foods Ethical, Social, and Environmental SWOT Analysis:
-Strengths:
Responsible sourcing of food
Healthy eating education program
Donating 5% of profits to charity
Dedicated to promoting organic, responsible farmers
Respectable employee wages, discounts, benefits
-Weaknesses:
Mackey’s vocal slandering of competitors and the FCC
Promotion of alcohol at a family supermarket
Higher prices may drive potential customers away
-Opportunities:
Use responsible sourcing as a means of bringing in new environmentally-conscious customers
Become first worldwide natural, organic grocer’s market
Promote healthy lifestyles via the food products offered at stores
Continued expansion as a result of positive financial performance
-Threats:
Competitors, eg. Trader Joes, Fresh Market
Rising costs related to responsibly sourcing food products
Risings costs, difficulties associated with opening new stores while maintaining growth, prosperity of existing ones
Environmental uncertainties
3. Recommendations
Slow down opening of new stores; concentrate on already-opened stores in an effort to gain a better outlook on long-term viability
This relates to Whole Foods mission of offering “the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and naturally preserved foods.” By keeping a closer eye on their preexisting stores as opposed to only focusing on the addition of new stores Whole Foods can accurately and effectively maintain the high quality standards they have been