1. Company Profile
The company that we chose for the course Emerging markets is FamilyMart. FamilyMart is a convenience store which is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in means that they are also open on national holidays. FamilyMart offers many varieties in food, beverages, hygienic items, magazines, office supplies and basic medicines. The size of the stores of FamilyMart varies as they have big stores and small stores. The smaller stores are more for people who want to buy something small (like a bottle of water), and their bigger stores are for grocery shopping. Next to FamilyMart you have convenience stores with a similar concept named 7-Eleven and Lawson, which are their competitors. Their slogan is;
"FamilyMart, Where You Are One of the Family"
Whereas they want their customers feel and be treated like family. The company was first established at 1 September 1981, and as per February 2013 they have an estimated amount of 22,181 stores worldwide (including franchise stores). FamilyMart has mainly focused in Asia, however in 2005 FamilyMart decided to expand their stores to the United States, whereas they opened their first store in Los Angeles under the name Famima!! Short after, they opened 9 stores in the Unites States. In 2010 they were planning to expand with 10 stores, however due to the bad economic situation in the United States, they decided to put it on “freeze”.
2. VRIO Framework of Family Mart
VALUABLE? RARE? COSTLY TO IMITATE? FIRM PERFORMANCE
No No Yes Consistency above average
2.1 Valuable/Rare
As was known, FamilyMart is the convenience store that sells all kinds of goods that satisfy all the needs of people's daily life. In this case, the goods that FamilyMart purchases from suppliers wo...
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...top three nations in the Latin America region when it comes to technology and Internet penetration” (STAFF, 2010). Panama has thrown Chile from his second place and has grown a lot within the wireless section.
3.5 Environmental
Panama is 75,517 km² big with 2210 km² of surface waters, which makes it a total of 78,200 km² big. As states before, Panama has 9 provinces which can be seen at the political part and can be found in Central America whereas Panama City is the capital city of the country. Environment of Panama has a lot to do with its economic success and stability. It is of course located at the thinnest part of the American continent and has built a canal to take advantage of their location. To further encourage foreign investment and economic development for the country, the government has also set up the Colon Free zone, right next to the Panama Canal.
Central America is very unique and has made amazing products and is well known for them. Central America produces items we use or eat everyday. They produce bananas, coffee, shellfish, sugar cane, and timber. (Doc B) There is lots of tourism because of the amazing scenery. (Doc D) Other the major production and tourism, there has been a drastic decrease in population. About 17 million
Panama, a small country located in Central America, is very diversified in both its people and its climate. Considered to be the isthmus connecting South America to North America, Panama has played a key role in global transportation since the creation of the Panama Canal. The canal goes through the midsection of the country connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing for much faster sea travel. Because of its location, Panama has been heavily influenced by several countries including Colombia which they were ruled by until 1903 and the United States which played such a large role in the realization of the canal. These foreign influences can easily be found in Panama's cuisine, music, and artwork as well as all the tribes that have settled within the country.
Presenting a variety of services, the company has established the supercenter model. Vendors and suppliers for Meijer have to meet requirements that need to be quality checked and supply a third party audit report on product and facilities. They keep a tight control on which they purchase merchandise from, and by offering grocery items next to pet supplies, leading to housewares, clothing, sports equipment, toys, electronics, and health items, all selections are included in the retail environment and available with a smooth transition through the establishment. The one place to shop locally for your needs, earn rewards and help local community is the vision Meijer looks for in every store
The culture and political structures of Panama as we know it today has evolved from an incredibly diverse and interesting history. Geographically, Panama lies on an isthmus, a strip of land that essentially connects the greater landmasses of North and South America. It is believed that volcanic activity in the late Pliocene era closed the former Central American Seaway that had separated the two continents. The climatic implications of this landform are incredible, allowing for the redistribution of oceanic currents and the formation of the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic of today.
For this assignment, I decided to go to a grocery store by my house named Meijer. Meijer is just like any other grocery store, similar to Wal-Mart, yet higher quality products than Wal-Mart.
The official name of Panama is the Republic of Panama or (República de Panamá). Panama is located on the narrowest and lowest part of the Isthmus of Panama that links North America and South America. This part of the isthmus is situated between 7° and 10° north latitude and 77° and 83° west longitude. Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina, approximately 77,082 square kilometers.
Many have complained about Walmart shrewd business practices to maintain its competitive edge and the loss it has brought to communities because of jobs lost to overseas suppliers. In the documentary, the question of Is Walmart good for America can be summed up in the statement that “Walmart is giving the American people what they want, low prices, to save money and to live better.” Walmart defends against those who would argue that Walmart has been bad for working class Americans because it has lower their standard of living. Walmart however states that that they have rather raised the standard of living for the American people by providing affordable products to its consumers. Brink Lindsey, economist in the documentary sums it up as “Walmart is good for America. Walmart is doing what America is all about, what the American market economy is all about, which is producing things consumers want to buy. Walmart is offering consumers a wide range of goods at rock bottom prices and therefore meeting the market test.” (PBS Frontline,
According to Smithson, Walmart can expand its markets to new and emerging markets especially in the third world countries, which can significantly increase its revenues. Secondly, the company can reform is employment practices and improve the quality standard and in doing so, attract more customers and improve its brand image. On the other hand, the company faces threats such as the rising healthy lifestyle trend I that the company in most cases does not provide customers with healthy goods. At the same time, the company can capitalize on this aspect and increase its revenues. Aggressive competition from other discount retailers such as Target creates a great threat to the company (Smithson, 2015).
In conclusion, trying to find a American dream in America, more women are working to make end meets. Chantal (in the interview) said “living in Americans is not enough for the husband income to meet monthly bills. Panamanian women gather at Franklin Avenue in a social organization, clubs and discuss they political, economic problems, and news from Panama. There are a lot of Panamanian women who has a decent job and are able to work today. There are gradually improved immigrants who are able to purchase a house, cars, and modern appliances, or rent larger apartments in more prosperous neighborhoods. In my next research I would be looking into, what make Panama “Dubai of the Americans”?
Investors do not have to worry about their health status as they have accessibility to some of the best hospitals in Panama, meaning they can even stay and bring over their families without having to worry about the healthcare services. Moreover, the continuity of their children’s education is assured by Panama’s world-class education systems. International schools within Panama offer globally certified curriculum modules. The transport sector is one of the key concerns for most investors; they must have the opportunity to transport their goods using the shortest time possible. The government has worked and seen to it that improvements are made not only in the transport sector but also in the storage and in the communication sectors. There are good roads like the four highways (Corredor Sur, Corredor Norte, Colon Expressway and Autopista La Chorrera) and international airports like the Tocumen International Airport which ensure that business people travel or transport their goods safely and faster. Tocumen International Airport is rated among the airports across the globe which offer quality airline services. For example, the Corredor highway which runs from the Panama City to the Tocumen International Airport makes the transportation of passengers and goods easy. With good communication systems in place, the investors may be able to monitor or follow up or further, to do their transactions with ease from their locations (Martinus et al.
How can a simple six letter word be so complicated to define? Family is a single word that is open to many interpretations depending on the individual. If you try to condense this ideal to a single clinical definition you end up excluding numerous members of society. What comes to mind when you think of the word family? While in the most broken down and literal sense, family means a relative with a blood or legal bond, the word family can encompass blood relations, adoptions, and even intentional relationships such as friendships. Economies, cultures, and backgrounds can further differentiate what one’s perception of a family is. For many people, including me, a family is so much more. It is the amount of commitment, cohesiveness, and importance
Family, a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Although family is a concretely defined term, the idea of family varies from person to person. But, what makes a family? For those who are surrounded by loving blood relatives, for those who have never known the one to grant them life, for those who have left their blood behind for a more loving and nurturing environment, what can commonly define a family? Family is something defined by the individual. Family includes those who you have come to love, whether platonically or romantically, those you have suffered with, those you have come to respect, and most importantly those you have cared for and in turn have cared for you. To one that could mean people who
Everyone seems to define family differently, however, the significance of family is the same. For you, family means everything. You can always count on your parents and siblings for help and love. Family is very valuable and important to you and should never be taken for granted. No one can deny that family is the foundation of our generation. A family is where we all start our life journey and helps us grow to be successful throughout our lives.
After writing about my history and the themes I selected, I have learned a lot about who I am in society. I have realized that I am an average girl that has not experienced much of life. During this analysis I have come to realize I have not had much contact with other family types or other cultures.
There are so many different types of family relationships. Whatever form a family takes; it is an important part of everyone’s life. My family has played an important role in my life. Good family relationships serve as a foundation to interactions with others. Supportive families will help children to thrive. The quality of the family relationship is more important than the size of the family. Making the relationships priority, communication, and providing support for one another is key to developing relationships. Family relationships are what make up our world today; they shape the ways that we see things and the ways that we do things.