INTRODUCTION
Since its inception in 1958 as convenience store chain Pronto Markets, Trader Joe’s has definitely made a creative mark on the grocery industry. Today, Trader Joe’s has over 365 locations throughout the United States. Often referred to as a “gourmet, specialty, and natural-foods” mecca, Trader Joe’s offers customers a different experience that most (Trader Joe's: Keeping). Customers visits to TJ’s are feeling less like a household chore and more like a cultural experience. “Driven by gourmet tastes but hungering for deals, [customers] are led by cheerful guides in Hawaiian shirts who point them to culinary discoveries such as ahi [tuna] jerky, ginger granola, and baked jalapeño cheese crunchies” (Trader Joe's: Keeping). There is
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Several factors play into TJ’s competitive edge over the industry like talent, technology, ethics, globalization, and diversity. As a competitor in the grocery industry TJ’s faces major competition like Whole Foods and Fresh Market; however, one thing that makes TJ’s a major leader in the industry is management’s ability to maximize their talent. All workers for TJ’s are compensated very well. For example, assistant store managers earn an average $94,000 per year and managers average about $132,000 (Trader Joe's: Keeping). TJ’s harnesses the full potential of all workers, which greatly affects customer satisfaction through customer service. “Each employee is encouraged to taste and learn about the products and to engage customers to share what they’ve experienced” (Trader Joe’s: Keeping). Even retirement benefits are great for TJ’s employees because “TJ's contributes 15.4% of employee's salary to tax-deferred retirement accounts” (Trader Joe’s). With great compensation comes a more productive staff. All employees are extremely excellent at their jobs. Trader Joe’s employees provide a one-of-a-kind experience to customers that they would not get at any of its competitors’ locations. Steve Kobak of CBSNews.com writes, “Every employee knows the whole store and, instead of telling you where an item is, will literally guide you there. They'll offer you a basket or a cart if they think you …show more content…
When analyzing Trader Joe’s management structure several essential management skills can be observed by simply reading the job description. There are three areas of skills that managers should possess: conceptual skills, human skills, and technical skills. Conceptual and analytical skills that Trader Joe’s managers are expected to have include the ability to think critically and analytically. All managers must be able to tackle a problem after analyzing each of its components. Many times this is referred to as “critical thinking.” This skill shows itself most useful when crises and conflicts arise. Human and interpersonal skills that TJ’s managers possess include connecting to customers and employees, creating an environment that encourages communicating and collaboration, and engaging others with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. Customers constantly rave about the customer service and staff enthusiasm at Trader Joe’s, which could be one of the main reasons many of them are brand loyal to TJ’s. Technical skills required of TJ’s managers would mainly incorporate the ability to interpret managerial data, prepare presentations (visual and auditory), and applying expertise to certain tasks or efforts. Trader Joe’s is definitely a strong organization for managers and
Mallaby admits Wal-Mart can treat their employees and other retailers unfairly, but as a result everyone can share in the 50 billion in savings that American shoppers consume annually. The pay that employees get is the price they must pay for low priced merchandise. Because of the minimal pay to employees, Wal-Mart strengthens its’ consumer buying power. Giving the American shoppers the savings they need, Wal-Mart’s has ultimately been them successful. Wal-Mart has potentially wiped out the middle class as an employer, but the employees can now work and ...
The grocery market is highly competitive. Brookshire’s has found that superior customer service is the key to success. Consumers who are familiar with the Brookshire’s personnel know that they will be greeted with a friendly smile and helpful attitude. Employee meetings and up-beat newsletters from the corporate office are excellent ways of reminding the employees of the significance of making customer satisfaction the most important part of their jobs.
O'Donnell, J. (2011, December 16). Behind the bargains at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls. USATODAY.COM. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/story/2011-10-25/tjx-ceo-carol-meyrowitz/50916340/1
My organization, Trader Joe’s, is not an international business. Their stores are all located in the United States; therefore, I chose Whole Foods, who is a main competitor of Trader Joe’s for this assignment.
Trader Joe’s also followed the statement into the cost leadership strategy that they do not set up a large shopping center area, instead of a place less than 10000 square feet which carry less items than normal market. It shows that, people would rather like to shopping in the area with less items because it can save their time of finding the products and consideration of buying products.
Publix Super Markets have a fast developing and quickly motivated group of competitors. This allows for the market to have interesting trends and advances rapidly. According to the Food Marketing Institute’s website, in the year 2012 there were thirty-seven thousand and fifty-three companies in this trade which puts Publix very high on shopper’s lists. Being employee owned is one of the characteristics current workers contribute to the firm’s success. Focusing on the well-being and progress of their team members has given them a sought after job pool.
...ization with a solid infrastructure. Since 1930 it has consistently expanded and is among the most prosperous supermarkets in the U.S. Through its research, employee programs, technological incorporations, adaptations to consumer preference and psychographics as well as its marketing strategy with respect to competition, Publix has successfully created an environment “where working is a pleasure” and where shopping is a pleasure.” With competition constantly growing, it is essential to keep on top of the global business community and market environment to have a leg up on competition and provide the highest customer value.
The CEO has also hired employees with good experience like CIO Dunst from Safeway, and for the supply chain management team, some technology experts from companies like PepsiCo, Dell and even Wal-Mart. This allows the company to be in line with the latest technologies available and demonstrates the future planning undertaken by the CEO.
Despite the economically uncertainty Pret A Manger keeps on thriving in the U.S. fast food market. It’s growing fast, with huge success. Pret is proving to the world its a big threat in the sandwich industry. In 2011, U.S. sales up 40% from the year before, “the company’s overall profits grew by 37% in 2010, and annual workforce turnover is only 60%, compared to fast food industry averages of 300-400%.” (Smart Advantage)
Store Operations/Incentives: From an internal perspective, Whole Foods uses a team-based strategy of operations. Employees are part of a democratic process of selecting new hirees, implementing new ideas and encour...
Don’t feel like cooking tonight or going for carry out, no problem have a Marie Callender’s Turkey Pop Pie or maybe something exotic like P. F. Chang’s Mongolian Style Chicken. No matter what may satisfy your taste buds if it can be found in your freezer or pantry chances are it’s one of ConAgra’s various brands. ConAgra’s Foods brands can be found in most American’s households. With their commitment to provide products that deliver outstanding taste, nutrition and value ConAgra have created ways to improve sustainable business practices and create innovative programs that deliver on their promise of being a leading corporation. By developing organizational structures ConAgra Foods has influenced employee’s to maximize their full potential, develop group cohesiveness, and embrace the inclusion of diversity in the workplace ConAgra is able to provide
For Oliver’s Market among the five Competitive forces, pressures associated with the threat of new entrants into the market are the strongest one. Because Wal-Mart and Target had announced plans to develop regional supercenters in the Sonoma county region. They are strong candidates for entering the market, because they possess the res...
A strong upward and downward communication chain underscores the management and organizational style adopted by Trader Joe's. This means fostering a belief that the store group operates as a team and that individual opinions are valued, rather than an environment where people speak out and are either not heard or have their opinions suppressed (Workforce, 2005). (Schermerhorn, 2012) The company applies its pursuit of value to every facet of its operations” (p.W-99).
Ken Boyer. 2013. Behind the Scenes at Starbucks Supply Chain Operations it’s Plan, Source, Make & Deliver. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.supplychain247.com/article/behind_the_scenes_at_starbucks_supply_chain_operations/green. [Accessed 20 April 14].
Challenges in Today's U.S. Supermarket Industry. 2014. Challenges in Today's U.S. Supermarket Industry. [ONLINE] Available at:http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa479076.aspx. [Accessed 31 March 2014].