A potential opportunity that they could explore is to utilize self-checkout terminals in their locations. Self-checkout point of sale terminals could do many things to improve Kudler Fine Foods as a retail competitor. First, it would improve their customer service as many customers prefer to check themselves out rather than having a cashier. In today’s technology environment, “…systems can be tailored to better fit any retail environment and are more focused on improving customer service rather than cutting labor costs” (Murphey, 2009, p. 1) . Even though the prime focus of these systems is not necessarily to cut labor costs, often times they can improve efficiency.
Executive Summary Webvan was dedicated to providing customers with a shopping solution that saved time and effort without sacrificing the quality selection or low prices that consumers had come to expect of traditional grocery stores. Webvan’s sophisticated system filled orders accurately 99% of the time and provided on-time deliveries 92% of the time. When the system ran at its intended full-design capacity, it was expected to generate an operating margin of 12% compared with the grocery industry’s norm of 4%. In this marketing plan, we analyze the profitability of this new venture, with a particular focus on the distribution system of Webvan. Situational Analysis (5Cs) Company Established in 1999, Webvan aspired to provide better service than was available at modern supermarkets through a same-day delivery system; within a customer selected 3-minute window.
The company started off to a slow start in technology where they were taking inventory on paper and they also didn’t have a website where customers could view information about the store and even order items (Kudler Fine Foods). The company has made a lot of changes that has helped the organization grown and to add customers to its three stores that they have up and running. Kudler has set up a website to where their customers will be able to view the items that they have on stock and other information about their products. They also have information about the organization on that website and offer customers the opportunity to order products from off of the website. Also they will be able to get feedback from customers from the website.
The retail industry uses this information to create a more inviting experience for the consumer, and they have discovered that the promise of great deals through the use of advertisements, colorful signs, attention-getting logos, helpful and knowledgeable employees, and easy-to-access products inside of the stores. These tactics may increase the amount money spent and/or the volume of products sold. The retail industry has devoted many resources to understanding what motivates consumers. Malcolm Gladwell in his essay “The Science of Shopping” explores this trend of studying consumer shopping habits. Gladwell points out, “There are companies that put tiny cameras inside frozen-food cases in supermarket aisles” (408).
They are a discount store with some locations offering grocery items as well. The particular store that I am discussing is strictly a discount store. K-Mart is owned by Sears Holdings Corporation. Sears Holdings Corporation lists their Vision as the following: “We are committed to improving the lives of our customers by providing quality services, products and solutions that earn their trust and build lifetime relationships.” Their Mission is to: “Build customer relationships, make more money and improve every day.” Although, K-Mart/Sears Holdings states these as their Vision and Mission, I have found that at their stores they may have not read the statement. During the past few months I have visited K-Mart many times to make purchases as the location is very close to my employer.
His price marketing plan was to approach retailers directly, avoiding distributors. That way he was able to be “closer” to his product and maintain a firm relationship with the retailers. He also kept the price of a single yogurt high enough to offset the production costs but not so high that would let competitors to reduce their prices to the point where Chobani would be out of competition. His place strategy was very smart. By making Chobani yogurt available on the conventional yogurt aisle of supermarkets, he achieved a wide consumer demand.
For example Tesco or ASDA. Median sized supermarkets can be sited near town centres or large ones can be sited near the edge of housing estates. They choose to open here as people need food and drink every day so having a convenience store near a housing estate is profitable. Supermarkets sell a lot items in one place it makes shopping very easy so the need to go to different stores lessened so because of this small town centre stores are getting less and less business this is causing more and more of these stores to close down. Some superstores for example ASDA have a clothing section and in this case a large part of that is for school uniform.
Since local businesses are so small, they have the advantage of being able to communicate with customers closer and more in depth about the store than Wal-Mart greeters who only say "hello" and "have a nice day"; not about anything such as the well-being of the community and what customers like about the small business and what needs changing. In the same article by Marco Terry, he makes a great point in "Remember what you actually sell", and uses the apple store as an example. Not only does the Apple store have a great product but they also have great customer service to pride themselves on. If small businesses can cash in on quality customer service, they stand a much better chance of doing better business in the wake of a Wal-Mart arrival. In another article, 10 Ways To Beat Wal-Mart, the author Chad Brooks makes a point of small businesses taking advantage of the ability to maintain top notch customer service due to the intimate nature of a small business.
we used more whole wheat pasta instead of bananas and other fresh fruits). Lastly, we fall into the category of a typical consumer because we, along with many Americans, do not recycle, and as stated before 74.69% of our trash could have been recycled meaning that only 25.31% of our trash was actual garbage. These statistics are shocking because it shows as a household that we are falling into the typical parameters of a "lazy" consumer, we are buying the cheapest, fasted made packaged food without giving a second thought about the consequences it will have on the environment or on
Alex Russo Mrs. Goidosik 11 AA English, 4th Hour October 26th, 2012 Cowardly or Chivalrous? Everywhere you go, people show qualities that demonstrate themselves as a chivalrous person. A warm-hearted man with kind eyes and a bright smile will go out of his way to open a door for a little, elder woman. Additionally, a man who wanders in a grocery store finds a wallet on the floor, but returns it to its rightful owner instead of taking it for himself. These types of acts show chivalry today.