Effective competitive strategy is central to strategic management. Use Porter's Generic Competitive Strategies framework (Figure 7.2) to identify, discuss, and compare the competitive strategy approaches used by each of Costco and The Warehouse NZ in competing in the grocery shopping industry.

* As part of the answer: - Discuss similarities or/and differences between the two firms' competitive strategies. How does each keep its costs down or/and differentiate itself?

* Porter suggested that an organization which combines generic strategies but fails to achieve any of them is 'stuck in the middle'. Do you agree with this opinion? Why yes/no? Illustrate your argument with examples from your analysis above.