Applying Swot on Costco will help organizations make an overview of their situation using internal factors such as Strengths and Weaknesses and external factors such as Opportunities and Threats that affect the project or product that can provide strategies to improve weaknesses and business strategies in the marketplace. According to Costco's strengths, including the membership warehouse model, to shop at Costco you must have a membership card with each level of membership and you will have different benefits over the years. For example, with the Executive member card, you will have 2% cash back each year along with many discounts on the services they provide. In addition to wholesale quantities of food products and affordable prices from …show more content…
This kind of problem leads them to lean towards small and retail products for more experience in trialing the products. In addition, the risk of international expansion is a concern. Cultural differences and lifestyles vary from place to place. Costco must collaborate with many different brands from different countries to be able to sell products and choose good products for each separate region in the international market. For example, selling Asian foods in Asian countries, or areas of Costco stores that have a huge Asian population, will help boost revenue because Costco targets a market that is specific to the product and consumers' needs in a certain market. Also, this cultural difference leads to another concern: that it will be difficult for Costco to penetrate foreign markets. Costco must do more in-depth research on the country they want to invest in before establishing a store in real-life and placing their warehouses there. Strategic imperatives: We should expand our international presence, focus on entering new potential markets, and conduct market surveys on product lines and what people are lacking to provide for local needs. At
A SWOT Analysis can be powerful to any company. The SWOT analysis for PetSmart allows them to expose opportunities that otherwise could be missed ("SWOT Analysis," n.d.). An additional benefit of a PetSmart SWOT analysis is gives the company an understanding of their weaknesses, which can result in a competitive edge for its competitor. Understanding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat as a company will give PetSmart an advantage over a company who chooses to ignore this type of analysis. In addition, PetSmart can eradicate any possible threats that could catch them off guard ("SWOT Analysis," n.d.).
Costco’s business strategy is different from their competitor’s in the wholesale retail industry because their purpose is to keep overhead down and pass the savings to their customers. They do this by choosing not to advertise, sell fewer brands and having an innovative approach by having their own manufacturing facilities for a variety of merchandise. Costco does not market their warehouses and their marketing is through word of mouth from current customers who also must have a membership to shop at Costco. When compared to Walmart Costco sells four brands of toothpaste and Walmart sells sixty brands of toothpaste. Costco can buy more for less from the manufacturer of the four brands of toothpaste and pass the savings on to their customers. Costco’s strategy is to sale a limited number of items because this strategy according to (Lutz, 2013) “increases sales volume and helps drive discounts.” Because of Costco’s profitability in the retail market they have managed to continue to be profitable even in an oppressed economy. Costco’s focus is on high-end customers indicated by some of the brands they carry such as Coach Handbags. Costco offers three different levels of membership and is only open to customers who have a membership. Costco’s philosophy is they do not advertise or markup items more than 15% in order to save their customer’s money. These practices lowers the overhead costs and continues passing the savings to the customer. Costco is an international company and has (Costco Wholesale Corporation, n.d.) “462 locations in 43 U.S. States & Puerto Rico; 87 locations in nine Canadian provinces; 25 locations in the United Kingdom; 10 locations in Taiwan; 9...
The SWOT analysis: The study of the firm's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats called SWOT analysis, a key step in flushing out known performance issues that are important to the growth of the organization addressed in the corporation strategic plan. The issues identified in the SWOT analysis help leadership to come up with a plan and strategy to achieve the overall mission of the company (Strategic Planning, n, d). Target Corporation is one of the largest public retailing company in the US having more than 1700 stores serving guests nationwide. Target group and its brand position are evaluated in the market using SWOT analysis.--
Product: Costco doesn’t have a lot of product options, with usually only a few different types of the same product. But they offer a huge variety of products as they aim to be a one stop shop for everything the consumer needs. They also offer a variety of services such as photo printing services, car rental, and even life insurance.
Costco also entices their customers with low prices on designated set apart products available only at their stores. Within these designated products, Costco provides a limited selection of nationwide brand-named merchandises in some wide categories. Their approach comprises of selling a limited number of items, keep their costs down, maintain a high volume, compensate employees well, ensure that customers buy their memberships, and target upscale small-business owners through their business only
Strengths Quality name brand products at low prices. This is the cornerstone of the Costco business model and one of the biggest drivers of its success. Costco has built an identity based on this strength. Fast inventory turnover and High sales volume This is a key strength that directly relates back to the first strength. Fast turnover means they are collecting on their purchases often before payment is due, cutting borrowing costs and further reducing prices.
Control systems – Costco has an Enterprise Facility Information management system, each Costco is connected to corporate, the EFIM provides real-time information, management of control systems (like energy), and an inventory management system that allows suppliers to monitor their own stock levels at any Costco. The EFIM reduces costs related to energy consumption, maintenance, and contracted services
... This could become the third solid country of operation that Costco needs to offset its increasing costs. Strengthening the Costco name in its burgeoning market of Mexico will help offset merchandising costs by increasing store loyalty and sales. By increasing its market share in Mexico, Costco will be able to have more income to offset the merchandising costs and it can then have the necessary capital to continue its growth; thus solving key issues 2 & 3.
What is a SWOT analysis? This concept involves assisting businesses to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is often used to analyze an organization and its environment. Businesses find the analysis useful in assisting them to improve their business, establish goals and objectives.
In every business, there is an analysis called the SWOT, it is the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of a company. Wendy’s is a company that is against the use of frozen ingredients and it is a fast food place that has a slogan “Quality is our Recipe”.
A SWOT analysis is simple exercise that could be implemented on multiple subjects including an individual or a whole corporation. The SWOT analysis is an operational tool for managing change, defining strategic direction and setting realistic goals and objectives according to Simoneaux and Stroud (2011). Discovering new opportunities and manage and eliminate threats that are present in the company and the surrounding market. SWOT is a valuable technique that leads to a better understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and treats both internally and externally. The strengths and weakness are to be considered internal factors and opportunities and threats to be e...
SWOT analysis is a necessary tool for business that allows corporations to analyze where their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats lie. The SWOT tool contains paramount information about the industry and helps the executives of the business make decisions that are necessary for the business’s survival and success.
A SWOT analysis is an examination of an organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses, its opportunities for growth and improvement, and the threats the external environment presents to its survival (Harrison, 2010). Generally, the information gathered for the analysis is organized into matrix form, howe...
A SWOT analysis is a measure tool to summarize a company’s internal and external aspects. By measuring the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and looking for improving solutions by using the strengths and opportunities to improve on the weaknesses and take the necessary actions concerning any threats a company can survive in today’s world market.
The SWOT analysis is used to gauge a company’s strengths and weaknesses. It also outlines opportunities for tapping and presents possible threats that could affect a company’s operations.