CASE QUESTIONS

How do firms in the supermarket industry make money?

Please conduct a financial ratio analysis using the date in Exhibit 2. Do this financial ratio analysis using a Dupont formula assessment.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ How do the results reflect the different strategies pursued by those four firms?

What do the results say about how firms in this industry can deliver strong financial returns in different ways?

What are the key sources of Trader Joe's competitive advantage?

What are the main threats to Trader Joe's competitive advantage? Is their advantage sustainable?

How would you modify Trader Joe's strategy moving forward?

As in past cases please limit your report to 3-5 pages double-spaced. Include the financial ratio analysis spreadsheet you did in the report as an addendum to the report.

DuPont Analysis (Whole Foods)