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
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.
Trader Joe’s has taken various strategic steps over the years to ensure employee satisfaction. These steps to encourage employee satisfaction include, but not limited to employee empowerment, training employees on products, and encouragement of promotion from within.
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.
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
Pret is more upscale than its competition but everything comes standard, so you can’t control the condiments. Many of competitors believe that fresh means made-to-order. Panera Bread, one of Pret’s biggest competitions, is well known through the New York City area. Panera Bread advertisement their products and offer hot food made to order. Even though the line can get long the customers do not mind the long wait knowing that their food is precisely the way they want it done. These intense competitions can entice Pret’s consumers away with personalized. For an upscale chain, prices start at $3.50 for a smaller proportion. Pret is only found in dense urban area does not appeal similar to Panera, which could be found in rural settings. But Pret stands out from the competition with their fresh food, customer service and charity
Gamble, John E., Strickland, A.J. Thompson, Arthur “Whole Foods Market In 2006: Mission, Core Values, and Strategy”, Crafting & Executing Strategy 15th Ed., McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2007
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
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 competitive pressures that Oliver’s Market must be prepared to deal with are the pressure associated with the market maneuvering and jockeying for buyer patronage that goes on among rival sellers in the industry and the pressure associated with the threat of new entrants into the market. They must be prepared to face with the rival stores, Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Whole Foods who had recently entered in the sales territory with brand new stores and so far Wal-Mart and Target also had announced plans to develop regional supercenter, that is, large –format discount center into their territory.
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.
Trader Joe’s focuses on a lot of unknowing products in order to satisfied customers’ curiosity. Trader Joe’s also not selling same products, their products change all the time. They put 10 to 15 new products each time into the store which makes customer feel like playing a treasure finding game when they shopping in the store. In this way, customers are more willing to shopping at Trader Joe’s.
...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.
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].
The human resource services at Albertsons appears to be much better than their chief competitor Wal-Mart’s .It is mentioned that the average Albertsons employee earns more than a Wal-Mart ‘s employee. Also employees at Albertsons enjoy benefits like health insurance and retirement packages
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].