Whole Foods Market 2010: How to Grow in An Increasingly Competitive Market?

Abstract

Whole Foods has grown from a single store to become the U.S.’s leading natural and organic food chain in the three decades since its inception in 1980. The company is not just a food retailer but represents a healthy, socially responsible lifestyle with which customers can identify. It differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on quality and innovation, which allows them to charge a premium price for their products. This strategy has formed the core of the company’s success over the last 30 years, but like any success story, there are limits to how far it can go before new direction is needed in facing competition. Since the mid-2000s, there has been an increasing demand for natural and organic foods, which has led to a growing number of players moving into the organic foods industry, including low-price leaders like Wal-Mart. This increase in competition can introduce price wars where profits are eroded for both competitors and new entrants alike. While proud of its past, Whole Foods is seriously concerned about the future direction it should take.