Whole Foods Market Case Study

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

1. What strategy is Whole Foods Market pursuing? What are the central elements to it?

Their strategy is to deliver products of superior quality while remaining committed to their staff and the communities in which they operate by delivering on a positive customer experience with excellent customer experience. The core elements are follows:

• Quality – Whole Foods is committed to providing food in its purest form, sourcing from organic and agriculturally responsible farmers and fisheries. They understand the need to educate consumers on the importance and impact of buying from responsible sources.
• Community – The company looks to improve the communities it is part of, not only with the products it offers, but also by empowering and encouraging employees to engage in community work by giving them paid hours to do so.
• Employees – Whole Foods aligns the goals of its employees and shareholders by employing an EVA model, encouraging them to look at the company as a whole and root for the success of Whole Foods as a business.

1. What do you think of John Mackey’s vision for Whole Foods Market? How about their slogan?

The core ideology of Whole Foods and John Mackey can be broken down into core values, purpose, BHAG, and vivid description:

• Core Values – Selling the highest quality natural and organic products available, satisfying and delighting our customers, team member happiness and excellence
• Core Purpose – John Mackey mentions his need to promote the general well-being and health of both people and the planet as a whole
• BHAG – To make the organic and clean eating health food movement the mainstream and have long term impact on the supply and sourcing of food in the future
• Vivid description – Reach a point where people do not view Whole Foods as a premium store for the elite few, but rather the standard at which retail should be held to, as customers are educated and aware of the importance of sourcing and good food.

John Mackey’s vision & slogan represents an ideal butterfly effect; the idea that good food will promote overall wellness and improve the planet from each end of the supply chain. It presents itself in every angle of their operations, from where they buy their food, to how they educate their employees and manifests itself both internally and externally.