Oliver's Markets

What are the key elements of the strategy at Oliver's Market? Which of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5 is Oliver's Market pursuing?

2. What competitive pressures must Oliver's Market be prepared to deal with? What do we learn about the nature and strength of the competitive pressures Oliver's faces from doing a five-forces analysis of competition (as described in Chapter 3)? Which of the five competitive forces is the strongest?

3. Based on your analysis of the competitive pressures, is the supermarket industry in the Sonoma County area (where Oliver's is located) competitively attractive? Why or why not? Is there a potential for a company like Oliver's Market to realize above-average profits and return on investment doing business in Sonoma County?

4. What driving forces are operating in the supermarket industry in Sonoma County?

5. What does a strategic group map reveal about the positions of the major players in the Sonoma County retail food market? Is Oliver's in a good position on the map? Why or why not? Who are Oliver's closest and toughest competitors?

6. What are the key success factors for competing in the supermarket industry in Sonoma County?

7. What is your assessment of Oliver's financial performance and financial condition? Is the company in good financial shape? Why or why not? You should use the financial ratio summary in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 as a guide for doing the calculations needed to support