Swot Analysis : Grainger 's Operating Efficiencies Based On Business Process And Innovation Concepts Essay

Operations management is essential for the survival and success of any organization. According to Heizer & Render (2011), operations management (OM) is the set of activities that creates value in the form of goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. Operations managers today contend with competition, globalization, inflation, consumer demand, and consistent change in technology. Managers must focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of processes such as cost, dependability, distribution, flexibility, and speed. The intent of this paper is to discuss the processes and operations management of the Kroger Company.

In 1883, Bernard Kroger, who is Kroger Company’s owner, opened the Great Western Tea Company in Cincinnati when he was 22. In 1902, the company became Kroger Grocery and Baking Company after growing to 40 stores in different cities like Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. The company continued growing thorough buying smaller, cash-strapped companies. Moreover, in the late 1920s, the company gained Piggly Wiggly stores, and in early 1940s, the company bought most of the Piggly Wiggly stock. In 1929, the chain reached its greatest number of stores which is 5,575. The company continued buying other stores. After that, the company started opening bigger stores in 1971. In 1987, Kroger sold most of its interests in the Hook and SupeRx drug chains and started focusing on its food and drug stores. Furthermore, Kroger announced that it was purchasing around 75 store (mostly in Texas). Not only Kroger was buying food stores in Texas, but also in Virginia, Nebraska, and New Mexico, which happened around 2000 and 2001. In 2003, Kroger announced Naturally preferred, its own brad products which include baby food, pastas, cereal, snacks, milk, and soy products (Company History-Hoover’s, 2016).

Kudler 's Fine Foods has been in business for over 15 years. Staying in business in this economy is impressive. Kudler’s has done everything necessary to grow and continue to be a productive company in the last 15 years. The products and merchandise that Kudler’s sells are perishable food and wine products that continually need to be monitored and inventoried to make sure that the product is always fresh. Kudler 's stakeholders are the staff, customers, suppliers, banks and the owner herself.

Target Corporation is known worldwide as a large retail chain that brings in millions of dollars each fiscal year. The ability to remain competitive in a saturated industry could prove difficult to some retailers, but Target remains one of the leaders in the retail market. With success comes risk. Target Corporation competes against online retailers as well as “big box” stores to remain competitive.

Kudler Fine Foods currently has three locations-La Jolla, Del Mar, and Encinitas-throughout San Diego, with a fourth location possibly in the company’s near future. The company maintains several systems including strategic plan, legal, finance and accounting, sales and marketing, human resources, and operations. This paper is an analysis of the marketing system for Kudler Fine Foods, and touches briefly on the company’s background and strategic plan.

Lowe’s designed their stores to be the opposite of competitors such as Home Depot. The spacious and well-lit Lowe’s stores appealed to potential customers that may not regularly visit warehouse-type hardware stores, such as women (Rouse, 2005). Furthermore, to increase their current customer experience and satisfaction, the company sought to enhance their installed and special order sales as well as modify their programs to be better equipped to handle commercial business customers. To do this, Lowe’s created an installed sales program where customers were able to select the design and materials used for their project and then hire Lowe’s professionals to complete the installation. In addition, specialty kiosks were set up around Lowe’s stores to educate customers and simplify special order home improvements. Special orders enabled Lowe’s to offer an assortment of products without having to invest the money up front in inventory (Rouse, 2005). To increase their commercial business customer base, the company began to offer professional quality materials and initiated commercial financing programs. Their logistics strategy was another area of strategic importance. At the center of Lowe’s logistics strategy was their desire to find the most efficient way to stock their shelves with an assortment of products (Rouse, 2005). Lowe’s operated ten regional distribution centers

The socio-culture of targeted audience also impacting the company. Alcohol is serve on this establishment; clients over 21 is the target market. The BARbershop is following cultures and values according to the needs of its clients. Its services represent different cultures, attracting clients from different societies. It offers a multicultural service, giving priority to the values of integrity to obtain the full support of its clients. The BARbershop has essential interaction within the community, it

Kudler Fine Foods is in a position to use its information technology, marketing strategies, and sales plans to create a prominent place in their niche market. Focusing on internal and external environments will help Kudler formulate a successful plan for the future and prepare for the changes that occur in such a diverse platform of partnerships, contracts, suppliers, and customers. Having a sales plan in place shows forward thinking of the management team. Planning is the most important part of being a successful enterprise and now that Kudler has three stores they are in a position to evaluate where they are and develop their future.

Griggs Sporting Goods, Inc. is sporting goods and outdoor equipment store chain that was established in 2011 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The company operates with six departments which include competitive sports, camping, hunting and fishing, apparel, footwear, and licensing. The franchise has 600 stores and three distribution centers throughout the United States. Also, the company operates in four geographical segments, which include North America, South America, China, and Eastern Europe. I currently work at the company as the lead logistics coordinator and one of my major accolades was increasing the organization return on assets during the 2014-2015 yearlong GSG development project.

The Kroger Company uses the broad differentiation strategy. They have business in at least eight different market segments. They operate two thousand, two hundred and fifty-five stores across America and operate under twenty four banners. Their market position ranks among the highest in the nation. They also have a strong bargaining power because of their many endeavors into different market areas. Kroger supermarkets have been in business for one hundred thirty four years and have made a substantial contribution to the business world (Annual report, 2017).

As a full-service propane company, Mills Fuel Service handles everything from propane tank installation (above and below ground) to appliance repair. Fully licensed and trained, the staff is always available for a gas inspection. As outdoor kitchen experts, they supply and install products such as grills and gas logs. The technicians will also help with any gas piping needs as they’ll do anything to ensure you have safe and clean fuel.

The Kroger Company is an American retailer established by Bernard Kroger in 1883 in Ohio USA. It’s the country 's biggest supermarket chain and second biggest general retailer (after Wal-Mart). Kroger is also the fifth biggest retailer in the world as of 2013. Kroger operates 2,625 stores across the USA with its headquarters in downtown Cincinnati Kroger. It operates 40 plants for manufacturing, mostly bakeries and dairies. Additionally they are operating 777 convenience stores and 374 jewelry stores through various subsidiaries. Kroger also oversees 87 convenience stores, which were operates through franchise agreements. It operates in the markets of 31 states.

The Kroger brand was born in 1883, Bernard 'Barney ' Kroger took his life savings of $372 to open his first store in downtown Cincinnati. This location is by I-71 that passes the Great American Ballpark. Barney Kroger, the son of a merchant, had a simple "Be particular. Never sell anything you would not want yourself." This was the credo that would serve The Kroger Co. well over the next 130 years as the supermarket business evolved into a variety of formats aimed towards satisfying the needs of their shoppers in as many aspects as possible. With nearly 3,619 stores in 34 states under 24 different names, such as Kroger, Dillons, Turkey Hill Minit Markets, Ralphs, Tom Thumb Food Stores, QuikStop, Fred Meyer Jewelers, and Littman Jewelers with an annual revenue of more than $70 billion. Kroger today ranks as one of the nation’s largest retailers.

A mutual fund manager is a person who actively buys or sells and sometimes both funds. They are experienced in implementing a funds strategy used for investing and manages its trading activities as well as the portfolio. Choosing whether or not to invest in Ford Motor Company will take the use of a SWOT analysis and learning about the stakeholders of the company.

W. W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products to businesses and institutions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with an expanding presence in Japan, India, China and Panama. The company works with more than 3,000 suppliers and runs an extensive Website (http://www.grainger.com) where Grainger offers nearly 900,000 products. The products range from industrial adhesives used in manufacturing, to hand tools, janitorial supplies, lighting equipment, and power tools. When something is needed by one of their 1.8 million customers it is often needed quickly, so quick service and product