ECO/365
University of Phoenix
Week 4 Individual Assignment
March 11, 2013
Differentiating Between Market Structures
The analysis will apply important microeconomic concepts toward the competitive strategies of the Kudler Fine Food Virtual Organization, which affect its long-term profitability. The analysis will evaluate the differences between market structures and review the organization’s strategic plan, marketing overview, market surveys, and other material to evaluate the organization’s competitiveness in the marketplace, including its customers’ views. The analysis will identify the market structure that best applies to the organization, and assess how the market structure positively and negatively affects the firm’s long-term profitability. The analysis will perform a market analysis, reviewing competitive strategies, and make recommendations on how the firm can maximize profits.
The analysis shows that based on the details available in the strategic plan, marketing overview, market surveys, and other material the organization competes quite well in the marketplace. The only shop not doing as well is the shop in Del Mar, and there are plans to close this shop in the future. Furthermore, there are plans to relocate this store to Carlsbad, and the plans should help contribute to profitability for the organization.
The strengths of the firm according to Kudler (2003) are “1) Small organization, 2) No direct competition, 3) Many choices for the consumer, 4) Very customer-oriented, 5) Good store locations, 6) Kathy’s personal relationship with the staff, and 7) Repeat customers.” The weaknesses of the firm according to Kudler (2003), are “1) Deal in mainly perishable goods, 2) Specialty shops with high pay-roll, 3) Small management team with many responsibilities, 4) The Del Mar location is not doing as well as expected, and 5) Geographic expansion limitations.”
The market