Companies do this by gathering information about other similar companies, customers, and products. Competitive intelligence information is used in the decision making of managers and executives to support strategic decision making for the company. It is important for Kudler Fine Foods to know what their competitor is doing for several reasons. First, if their competitor is offering a promotion to the public that is attracting more business, then Kudler Fine Foods will want to offer something along the same lines so more business will sway in their direction. Second, although the company may feel that they offer the best product, if the public feels that the competitor is offering a better product, they may want to consider changing their supplier of certain food products.
In the short run, Kudler was able to maximize its profits and minimized losses. They were making profits because they were producing quantity where marginal revenue was equal to marginal cost and charged prices based on their demand curve. The demand for their goods was very high at first because they had little competition. Another positive effect of a monopolistic competition is that it promotes product variety and improvement. When Kudler makes business improvements, it causes their competitors to either imitate them or get out of the business.
It doesn’t appear that there is many other upscale specialty food stores in the areas, Kudler would have to look in other regions. Kudler Fine Foods will need to invest more time in researching what products or ideas will make the company successful compared to other specialty food stores outside of the country. Conclusion Kudler Fine Foods has shown it can be successful. Business has been going and appears to be doing well. Marketing is the most important key to business success.
Currently, Kudler Fine Foods is growing, and they have developed a good niche in the specialized gourmet grocery industry. Another strength of the company is the vision and mission statement is being implemented successfully, and they follow the differentiated strategy closely. The company also offers a wide selection of the finest products from all over the world. A weakness for Kudler Fine Foods is that they have not been in the industry for a long period, and no continuity because of the short period of time in the industry, so this is why the company needs to continue to scan the industry for best practices. Kudler Fine Foods also have various opportunities.
Rivalry in the grocery industry is a strong competitive force for several reasons. First, companies are using competitive weapons such as sales specials, coupons, company card to save additional money, and high use of advertising. Second, customers switching cost is low. Last, competitors are becoming equal in size and therefore able to achieve similar results. In this case, Winn Dixie, Publix, and Wal-Mart are the main competing firms within the industry in my area.
Kudler Foods will need to determine which strategic decisions will be useful in the future to improve the business without risk or little risk to the organization. Kudler Foods will need to look at competition and assess what the competition is doing and what Kudler Foods should be doing differently. Kudler Foods will need to actively research and identify opportunities for the organization. A limited numbers of fine food stores exist to compete with Kudler Foods; however, this should not make Kudler foods lazy in following the competition. Kudler Foods should monitor the competition daily to ensure prices are competitive and lowest.
Kudler’s has an inventory that consists predominantly of perishable goods that require replacement often. Kudler’s could cut costs and leave items on the shelf a day or two longer, but that would call into question their very reason for existence in being known for fresh foods. Reputation with customers can be lost with one poor decision. One way to counter that is to provide exceptional customer service. Kudler’s means of differentiating itself from the competition is its ability to provide the best products and the best customer service.
Kudler Fine Foods Virtual Organization Kudler Fine Foods (KFF) is an established business that survived the initial period successfully and grown by adding two additional stores. Because of owner’s prudent management the business presence in the market is solid, although other competitors represent a threat. Additionally the threat of handling perishable goods is also present, but competitors have the same issue plus KFF can compete with reasonable prices to make it attractive to customers (Kudler Fine Foods, 2012, p. 10). KFF needs to initiate marketing research analysis to pinpoint the areas of opportunity and improvement. In this analysis a secret shopper should be part of the research to visit stores around the three KFF establishments
Rodriguez Business Systems BSA/310 November 12, 2012 Terrell Potts Kudler’s Fine Foods Kudler Fine Foods is a spirits, fine wines, and upscale specialty food store offering customer both domestic and imported products. Kudler Fine Foods mission is to use their experienced, helpful, and knowledgeable staff to “shop the world” for the finest products, giving customers the choice of [pic]aspiring to purchase the finest epicurean delights. Kudler Fine Foods[pic] uses management, operational, and supporting processes to achieve this goal. This paper will focus on Kudler Find Foods finance and accounting business information system, which is part of the supporting processes. Supporting Processes Unlike operational processes, which are the process that manage marketing, purchasing, manufacturing, and management process, which include how the business is structured and the procedures of the business, supporting processes supports the core processes of the business.
Kudler External and Internal Environmental Analysis Paper STR/581 – Strategic Planning and Implementation Instructor: Timothy De Long September 5, 2011 Kudler’s Environmental Analysis Kudler Fine Foods is one of the most successful local upscale specialty food stores in the San Diego metropolitan area. Kathy Kudler, the founder and owner of Kudler Fine Foods, saw the need for gourmet food in the local area and used the opportunity for an upscale epicurean food shop in La Jolla (Apollo Group, 2009). As industries change and grow, the importance of an organization’s ability to obtain and sustain competitive advantages increases. A key to Kudler’s ability of obtaining and sustaining its competitive advantages is the analysis of their internal and external business environment, and assessment of their competitive position and future possibilities. External Analysis Remote Environment According to Pearce and Robinson (2011), “the remote environment comprises factors that originate beyond, and usually irrespective of, any single firm’s operating situation: (1) economic, (2) social, (3) political, (4) technological, and (5) ecological factors” (p. 81).