Case study: Whole Foods Market (2010)

This is a case report on "whole foods market (2010): How to grow in an increasingly competitive market?"

The case needs to have: abstract, vision/mission, objectives, external and analysis (porter's five forces model), SWOT analysis, problem identification, and solutions

Since the 1980's when Whole Foods Inc. started as a novel idea, the chain has steadily grown into a world-wide and highly regarded health food store. Through carefully marketing and planning techniques utilized by upper management, Whole Foods has not only carved a "niche" for themselves, but became the frontrunner of the health-oriented and green friendly craze. Socially targeting the upper class, Whole Foods can offer prices higher than a regular grocery store as well as give the consumer a unique customer experience such as cooking classes and valet parking. However since 2008, Whole Foods not only felt the devastation of the economic recession, but strong competition from big name competitors such as Wal-Mart and Costco. Though Whole Foods set the standards for grocery stores marketing solely against non-artificial sweeteners and preservatives, other competitors soon sought to capitalize on this slowly growing market. Only time will tell if Whole Foods stays ahead in vastly competitive and cut-throat food industry.