WHOLE FOODS MARKET IN 2010: VISION, CORE VALUES & STRATEGY Section I What is the setting of the case i.e. the type of industry, the firms, operations, and nature of the environment/market[s]? What appears to be the issue(s), concern(s), problem(s), challenge (s) and/or opportunities and their significance for the organization? Whole Foods has become an industry leader in food retailers and has become the world largest chain of natural and organic foods supermarkets. 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 why is organic food getting ever more popular? By just putting a label on food saying it’s healthier and safer than regular food would be enough to get people to buy it. Also with all the more and more places opening like Whole Foods Market, Central Market and Fresh Market attract people from everywhere. If consumers believe its better for them and it makes them healthier and maybe even live longer, people would buy it no matter if its more expensive than lets say Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club. Others buy organic foods over conventional because they believe it’s helping the environment or they don’t want to support the practices of agribusiness (Jackson).
Introduction As a global manufacturer and marketer, it is important for Generals Mills to innovate and develop new products to satisfy customers’ need in order to maintain market shares and continuous growth. The company provides consumer foods such as ready-to-eat cereals, yogurt, ready-to-serve soup, dry dinner, and so on. General Mills operates both domestic and international, but for the new product we created will only focus on the US market. As the increasing awareness of healthy eating and increasing demand for organic food, we decide to create a new product of the breakfast cereals by adding traditional Chinese coarse grains and other nourishment ingredients into oats. We try to create health-oriented oatmeal for sub-health people and help prevent diseases for healthy people.
31% of organic foods were sold by mainstream supermarkets and grocery stores including Tyson Foods , Kraft, General Mills Kellogg's, Heinz, Campbell South, Coca Cola, Groupe Danone, Dean Foods, Starbucks and others in the coffee industry. According to Thompson (2009), in the year of 2000, The U.S. organic food industry cross a threshold with more organic food being purchased in conventional supermarkets organic foods were purchased in conventional supermarkets. In addition , supermarkets expansions were set in motion for a variety of organic products including, pastas, wine, cheese yogurts, potato chips, beef, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and other popular hot selling products such as lettuce, apples, carrots, broccoli and celery. The sales of dairy products, beverages, meats, breads and grains grew the fastest in organic products categories. According to Thompson (2009), Consumer demand were primarily responsible for the dramatic Marketplace, fueling a growth of 20% annually of organic products.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional value of various product ingredients with purchase decisions reflecting a preference for organic and non-adulterated products. Threats 1. Consumer demanding healthier substitutes. 2. Cocoa future contract prices in 2008 ranged from $0.86 to $1.50 per pound, which represented a significant increase from 2007 prices.
Persuasive Speech Outline Title: Organic Food: Why is better? Topic: Organic and humane alternative food sources and the regulations that the USDA places on them. General Purpose: To inspire my family to chose healthier foods. Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to shorten their food supply line and move towards eating healthier, organic and locally raised food. Behavioral Outcome: At the end of my speech, members of the audience will be able to distinguish what specific and relative regulations that the United States Department of Agriculture govern the food industry, to discern fact from fiction about organic and humane alternative foods, and will be persuaded to become more open to shortening their supply line of which they attain their food.
By having a community garden these families will have access to healthier foods, and in turn can lead to healthier lifestyles and can save money on food. Children will eat healthier and have a more nutrient rich diet. They will eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis and this can help lead to a decrease in childhood obesity. Also consuming local produce can reduce exposure to chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides. Another health benefit of a community garden is the exercise you can get from gardening.
Unlike the beginning of the century, the organic industry is now booming with higher demand from consumers. Consumers, nowadays, strive to be more environmentally friendly and this “green” trend started with consumers purchasing organic fruits and vegetables. This is evident when you compare the growth rate of organics from the beginning of production in the 1980s. Since that time, the organic industry has experienced a 3,400 percent increase in sales. The sales include “$35 billion in the U.S and $63 billion worldwide.” More information about the growth of the organic apparel industry will be found later in this report.
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
The idea that organic is better for the consumer and the environment is more of a mindset and not the truth. My purpose is to show the people who believe in organic products, that there are just as many down falls as conventional foods. Many people assume that organic foods are healthier, when in fact organic foods are more susceptible to carrying pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella. They also think that because organic farmers use natural pesticides rather than synthetic pesticides, it’s better for the environment. However, organic farmers are able to use a copper solution, which never leaves the soil, to fight fungal disease as where the conventional farmer use pesticides that are biodegradable.