Grocery stores are in competition with smaller markets like Kudlers and Whole Foods. If the brand name grocery stores like Ralphs and Vons did not offer organic and specialty items, the market structure of Kudler Fine Foods would differ. This market structure positively affected Kudler because there was no barrier to entrance within the quality foods market. What negatively affects the company with this market structure is that they are compared to big companies who are able to supply some of these rare items at a more competitive price. One of the marketing strategies that ensure the company of long-term profitability is the personal relationship built with the customer base.
A monopolistic Competition market has many sellers and provides good substitutes but differentiates their products from other companies. The nature of competition in a monopolistic market focuses on marketing, special features and pricing (Colander, 2010). Kudler Fine Foods has only a few competitors in the market that offers the same products and service to its customers. This market structure has negative and positive effects. A positive effect of Kudler Fine Foods in a monopolistic market structure is that they lead in the market and can increase competition between companies and make massive profits by setting higher prices (Colander, 2010).
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
If the company wants to be successful, the store must decide what market the product will thrive in, what the competition is and how to market the product given the retailer’s available resources (Marketing considerations for small-scale specialty food producers, 2007). With Kudler Fine Foods’ emphasis on gourmet items, they have created a niche market for their products. Niche marketing allows companies to target a very specific audience and to give them exactly what they want or need (Levinson & Lautenslager, 2005). By conducting market research, Kudler Fine Foods can narrow in on the wants and needs of its customers. Market research is not something a company should do on its own.
Market structures are referring to “the physical characteristics of the market within which firms interact,” (Colander, 2010). Monopolistic competitive are markets in which there are large amounts of firms selling differentiating products and there are few barriers to enter. Kudler Fine Foods falls into this category because there are numerous different grocery stores; however, they have a variety of different goods. Kudler Fine Foods would be competing against other fine food stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and World Market. For Kudler Fine Foods to fall into this category means that they sell differentiating products from their competitors.
Sysco even offers cash and carry for those that prefer to purchase small orders and take them on the spot. Sysco competes with many other national distributors, such as, US Foods, Performance Food Group, and many others. Heavy competition with US Foods is one reason why sysco adapted their own brand products like: Supreme Sysco, a premium and rare products targeted to upper class customers. Imperial Sysco, high quality products produced in selected regions. Classic Sysco, fine quality products.
Threat of New Entrants is weak. Entry barriers are high because of the economy, significant experience-based cost advantages, other cost advantages held by industry members (e.g., access to inputs, favorable location), brand loyalty (which comes from membership and other services), strong network effects and high capital requirements. 5. Substitute Products or Services is moderate. Warehouse clubs like a magnet for customers and pulling them away from other traditional retail channels such as supermarkets, department stores, drugstores, office supply stores, consumer electronics etc… All three warehoused club rivals - Costco, Sam’s and BJ’s – have similar strategies: Low prices, low operating costs, geographic expansion – Costco; Sam’s Club concept is to sell merchandise at low profit margins, which means at low prices to members; and BJ’s offers brand-name merchandise at prices that were significantly lower than the prices found at retail, supermarkets, dept.
Being so close to the skytrain station allows Earls to have a competitive advantage over some of the other restaurants in the area. The convenience has helped Earls’ food sales and will hopefully help their liquor sales once the recommendations mentioned later are applied. According to a study by the American Public Transportation Association or APTA, if a business were to invest money into the local public transportation system, they would be able to triple their investment through the
Boots have to make sure that they are able to meet customer expectations P4 - Identify the competitive factors in the retail environment a selected organization faces Bargaining power of buyers: Customers are powerful potential buyers as they can switch easily and doesn’t cost them much as they have stores in easy locations. However supermarkets will have to reduce prices in order to attract customers. There are a lot of small sellers and few large buyers as the buyers buy in large quantities which show that they are powerful. A single buyer is a large customer to a firm as they buy more. Buyers purchase from multiple sellers at once, such as customer stores.
The situation is very ironic because the grocery stores with nutritious food advocates for fast food restaurants that are, in context, competing with their sales. Prices of fast food products appear cheaper than full home cooked meals. On average, costumers pay four dollars for a drink, a burger, and a side item. Additionally, fast food is fast. Each fast food corporation has special procedures to keep their paying costumers happy by giving them exactly what they asked for, fast food.