Since the passage of the Organic Food Production Act in 1990, millions of Americans have supported a movement towards organically grown foods by socially responsible farmers. So much so, that in 2009 organic food sales had over 3.5% market share. Consumers had become more health-conscious and because of government public announcements focusing on the role that nutrition plays in health. Environmental groups supported this trend believing that organic farming was beneficial for the environment because of healthier soil and water practices. They began to shed light on hormone injected foods and the effects of pesticides on human health and consumers began to listen.
Their company headquarters is located in Austin Texas where they were founded in 1978. Whole Foods Market does not have an official mission statement however; they do express their mission through their companies’ core values: * “We sell the highest quality natural and organic products available * We satisfy, delight and nourish our customers * We support team member excellence and happiness * We create wealth through profits & growth * We serve and support our local and global communities * We practice and advance environmental stewardship * We create ongoing win-win relationships with our suppliers * We promote the health of our stakeholders through healthy eating education” (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/mission-values/core-values) While they do not have an explicit mission statement John Mackey did make clear his vision for the company, “We aspire to become an international brand synonymous with not just natural and organic foods, but also with being the highest quality food retailer in every community in which we are located. We believe our strict quality standards differentiate our stores from other supermarkets and enable us to attract and maintain a broad base of loyal customers.”
Company Background: J Sainsbury PLC owns 557 supermarkets and 377 convenient stores across UK. the comapny was founded by J Sainsbury in 1869 and still remains the family controlled company. It also owns the Property Joint ventures in collaboration with Land Securities Group PLC and The British Land Company along with Siansbury’s Bank in partnership with Llyods Banking group. The Company is known for providing quality foods at fair prices with sustainable and responsible business approach.It is known for the fresh, safe, healthy and delicious food. The company believes in the philosophy of striving hard to be innovative and cater to their customers' needs in best possible manner.
Peter Seligmann, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Conservation International stated that Starbucks has “raised the bar for the entire industry” (Starbucks Coffee Company, 2012, Goals & Progress: Ethical Sourcing, para. 4). A second example would be that 98% of coffee bean suppliers are small farms. Of these, 100% of the small farm children attend school; thus, improving their lives (Starbucks Coffee Company, 2012, Goals & Progress: Ethical Sourcing, para. 5).
At December 31, 2010, its portfolio included 11 brands Oreo, Nabisco and LU biscuits; Milka and Cadbury chocolates; Trident gum; Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees; Philadelphia cream cheeses; Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings, and Oscar Mayer meats. In February 2010, the Company announced that it has acquired the control of Cadbury plc. As of June 1, 2010, the Company owned 100% interest of Cadbury ADSs (Cadbury Shares). In the United states, Kraft Foods Inc., holds the title of being the leading food company in the second place position worldwide, just after Nestlé S.A. They operate in two main sectors; Kraft Foods North America (KFNA; generating 73 percent of 2000 pro forma revenues) and Kraft Foods International (KFI; 27 percent).
In the example of Whole Foods, a growing business that uses the business system, the roles of each system will be identified. Business Models and Systems Whole Foods, is a company that has become successful over the 20+ years through expansion and ideas that local good produce is the key to helping the economy and community. Originated in Texas, this USA born company has been driving the ideas that trading though environmental concerns and
Wydown has been an advocate of soil preservation, natural fertilizers and pest control. He was confident that in the future, same principles behind organic farming would be applied to home gardens and lawns. Wydown’ s vision evolved into the creation and development of a market geared towards organic seeds and seedlings for vegetables, herbs, and flowers, where the consumers would have the ability to grow their own organic produce. (Case page 2) This market niche and products became the company’s differentiator and competitive edge. Ceres developed a market niche for organic consumers who were concerned about the environment and wanted a healthy lifestyle.
Whole Foods has had to overcome some hurdles along the way, since its establishment in 1980. Customers getting used to a different grocery shopping experience, slightly higher prices, and a ‘whole’ new way of living, were just a few things that Whole Foods overcame. 2. Characteristics of the company-culture, size in sales, number of employees, total assets, geographical locations, age The Whole Foods company-culture can best be described by its list of core values. These core values include: “Selling the Highest Quality Natural and Organic Products Available, Satisfying and
Our Core Values We believe that much of our success to date is because we remain a uniquely mission-driven Company. Our core values succinctly express the purpose of our business, which is not only to make profits but to create value for all of our major stakeholders, each of which is linked interdependently. By maintaining our core values, regardless of how large we become, we are able to preserve what has always been special about our Company. Our core values are: Selling the highest quality natural and organic products available; Satisfying and delighting our customers; Supporting team member happiness and excellence; Creating wealth through profits and growth; Caring about our communities and our environment; Creating ongoing win-win partnerships with our suppliers; and Promoting the health of our stakeholders through healthy eating education. Products We offer a broad and differentiated selection of high-quality natural and organic products with a strong emphasis on perishable foods.
the website is well designed and explains the concept of Whole Foods® very well. Customers also can order online and pick up their order at local stores. * Furthermore, the company’s reputation for having the largest selection of organic, healthy, locally grown foods of any supermarket worldwide makes them attractive to customers. * In addition, good customer service, staff’s enthusiasm about promoting the products and real estate in wealth neighborhoods are also the reasons why Whole Foods® is so popular. * Weaknesses * First, some of the foods products