Whole Foods Market

Research Paper # 99545

Business > Companies
Business > Industries

Whole Foods Market

A review of the natural and organic foods industry and the company Whole Foods Market, in particular.

3,455 words () | 9 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the company, Whole Foods Market. It describes the general economic characteristics of the natural and organic foods industry and then provides a five forces model of competitive analysis. The paper then focuses on the Whole Foods Market company by evaluating its strategy and providing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. The paper concludes by addressing the problems facing the company and it recommends strategies for improvement.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Industry And Competitive Analysis
General Economic Characteristics Of The Industry
Driving Forces In The Industry
The Five Forces Model Of Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Strategic Group Mapping
Key Success Factors In The Industry
How Attractive/Unattractive Is The Industry
Company Situation Analysis
Identification And Evaluation Of The Company's Strategy
SWOT Analysis
Financial Analysis
Portfolio Analysis
Key Issues/Problems Which The Firm Must Address For Its Future
Identification And Evaluation Of Various Strategy Alternatives
Presentation Of Final Commendations To The Company
Implementation Concerns

From the Paper:

"Whole Foods' economic strategy has recently revolved around the shifting of buying responsibility from the store level to regional and national levels, in effect putting the company into a premium position to negotiate volume discounts with vendors (Thompson C-17). The biggest supplier to Whole Foods Market is United Natural Foods (accounting for approximately 18% of the company's purchases) and the company operates eight regional distribution centers for store supplies (Thompson C-17)."
"Furthermore, Whole Foods' growth strategy is strengthened by its demonstrated commitment to community and social issues, including its donation of at least 5% of the company's after-tax profits to nonprofit/educational organizations and by offering employees 20 hours of paid community service work for every 2,000 hours worked (Thompson C-18). The company also maintains its image of social and environmental consciousness through the distribution of brochures, seminars and presentations on key issues affecting health and well-being of humans (Thompson C-18)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Cox, Stan. "Natural Food, Unnatural Prices." AlterNet. January 25, 2006. Date accessed: October 2, 2006. Available: <http://www.alternet.org/story/31260/>
Dunn, Julie Anton. "Organic Foods Find Opportunity In The Natural Food Industry - Industry Overview." Food Review, Sept-Dec, 1995. Date accessed: October 2, 2006. Available: <http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3765/is_n3_v18/ai_18824577/pg_5>
Garr, Robin. "Whole Foods Market." Louisville Restaurant Reviews. Date accessed: October 2, 2006. Available: <http://www.iglou.com/restaurants/wholefoods.shtml>
Giles, Leon. "Financial Analysis Project: Whole Foods Market and Safeway Stores, Inc." University of Denver. Date accessed: October 2, 2006. Available: <https://portfolio.du.edu/portfolio/getportfoliofile?uid=58101>
Gogoi, Pallavi. "Wal-Mart's Organic Offensive". Business Week Online. March 29, 20056. Date accessed: October 2, 2006. Available: <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/mar2006/nf20060329_6971.htm>