Sunday, November 18, 2012

Influential Leaders in the Grocery Industry


Beatrice Teston
KSB 100-001
Professor Persily Lamel

         There have been several influential leaders within the grocery industry throughout the past twenty years. Each of these significant people have changed and evolved each different face of the grocery industry. In doing so, each company has been able to mold towards what best fits consumer needs and to adapt to consumer’s changing demands over the past two decades.
            Whole Foods CEO John P. Mackey is one of the most influential people in the natural products grocery industry who care deeply about giving Americans the means to live the healthiest lives they can. He has brought organic and natural foods into the mainstream of America through capitalizing on the greater health consciousness that has spread through society in the past twenty years. Along with this, he has transformed Whole Foods from a small grocery into a major enterprise.
            The CEO of Safeway Steven A. Burd was able to be an influential leader in the grocery industry through his pioneering management practices. He had the ability to create an extensive cost cutting plan that included deep cuts in capital expenditures enabling the company to lower the shelf prices in its stores and boost revenues. Burd steered the company forward by expanding the company into California, Illinois, Alaska and Texas and brought Safeway’s revenues to an estimated $28.9 billion. This gave Steven A. Burd recognition as one of the grocery industry’s best CEO’s.
            Buying in bulk has also been a new form of grocery shopping. James D. Sinegal had changed the face of buying groceries at wholesale stores as one of the founders of Costco Wholesale. Costco is the largest wholesale organization in the United States, beating Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale. Sinegal is best known for progressive management practices that has enabled Costco to benefit from a low employee turnover and high productivity.
            The founder of Wegmans, Robert B. Wegman, was able to pride himself on not only being a successful company, but also giving back to his employees and community. In 2005 it ranked number one in the top 100 best companies to work for. In 1987, the company created the Work- Scholarship connection, a program that has been successful in reducing the drop out rate among at risk students in the Rochester city school district. This provided students part time jobs and workplace mentors at Wegmans. Since the program’s inception Wegmans has attributed $56 million dollars in tuition assistance to 18,000 employees.
            These four leaders had given their companies the best opportunities in the grocery industry to cater to consumer and employee needs. In doing so, the industry has benefited in a rise in overall revenues and meeting consumer demands. 

http://clients1.ibisworld.com/reports/us/industry/default.aspx?entid=1040

1 comment:

  1. As a result of Safways cost cuts, were there any repercussions? such as a decrease in product quality or a decrease in wages?

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