Whole Foods Market

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Whole Foods Market
The whole foods market has taken a remarkable growth journey since its inception in Austin Texas in 1981. The grocery chain store has expanded to over 350stores in the United Kingdom and United States supplying organic foods especially perishable fruits and vegetables. The organic food market is a limitedly explored business opportunity by chain stores. Whole food markets enjoy the potential of growing its market share and profits threefold with sound management policies and informed forecasting's and planning to reduce costs. Since 2003, Whole foods embarked on a serious expansion program that saw them increase the number of their outlets through constructions of larger stores rather than the traditional acquisition and merger of smaller enterprises (Whole Foods Market Inc., 2014). This factor alone could be the reason why the company registered decreasing returns during the period.
Structure
The firms administrative structure consists of headquarters regional administrative centers distribution points, kitchens, bake house facilities, meat and seafood processing centers. Additionally it runs a tea and coffee procurement and roasting operation bases. The company structure is largely vertical hierarchy with executive managers in charge of different departments and regional offices (Whole Foods Market Inc., 2014). The firm's rapid expansion has necessitated organizational structure adjustments that have an impact on the human resource factor of the daily activities of its stores and organization as a whole.
Mission & Vision
The firm's mission of providing an enjoyable shopping experience for its clientele is being met with the construction of larger stalls that would create an inviting shopping environment that is an important factor in attracting customers. Grocery stores unlike malls and supermarkets do not enjoy popularity with a lot of potential customers. Further, such factors as impulse buying benefits to the service provider are not enjoyed given the limited time clients stay in a grocery. However, the cost of construction and or modification of stores to achieve the firm's vision is expensive at the present thus decreasing returns a case that may not be necessarily true in future when the investment pays (Forbes, 2014). The financial reports of financial years starting 2005 to 2007 indicate an upsurge in sales of the organization a result that may be attributed to investment in construction and modification of stores in the period preceding.
Core Values
The company has eights core values that has enabled them to succeed in their interactions with investors, producers, suppliers, distributors and clients. The cost of meeting this core values is not negligible, however, its implementation also has direct effects on the returns of the company and consequently its profit margins. High quality standards are perhaps the most costly value of the firm. Technological advancement has seen an increase in the use of chemical in the production of foods that may be harmful to human health (Whole Foods Market Inc., 2015). Consequently, the firm has to adopt cutting edge technology that would ensure that its suppliers supply goods of quality standards. The quality of fresh produce depends on the care in transportation and storage to avoid contamination and or damage.
Responsible farming
Despite the increased use of genetically modified seeds whole foods advocates for responsible farming as one of its values. Accordingly, advocacy for organic foods use awareness has significantly increased. Without responsible farmers who care about the chemicals used in the planning of produce whole foods cannot acquire quality produce to sell that is their primary product. It is therefore important that the firm invests in more qualified staff to train and ensure that farmers produce responsibly thus ensuring sustainability (Forbes, 2014).
Sustainability
Seafood sustainability is also one of the company's values. Sea creatures are increasingly being endangered due to harsh environment occasioned by manmade catastrophes such as oil spills and nuclear leakages. Further, other factors such as global warming and overfishing continue to contribute to the shrinking number of sea creatures and consequently seafood. As such, whole food markets being a dependent of seafood as one of its core products should be concerned on its sustainability and invests in programs that would ensure such. Farm raised choices of seafood products is one of the critical pillars that would ease dependence on wild seafood products that endanger sustainability (Packaged Facts, 2014).
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is also one of the firm's core values. Being a dealer of animal products to ensure the safety of the products its source should be well cared for. However, over emphasis on animal safety may expose the firms to more costs than is necessary that would reduce its profitability. As a result, the chain store should invest of educating livestock keepers and suppliers on the means and ways of keeping their animal health and thus ensure healthy quality products.
The firm's social responsibility has an eye on communities beyond the stations of their distributors and or offices. As a global giant, it is important to envision its community on a larger scope that is global. The diversity of its products and the fact that it operates stores beyond a single country is a testament ...