Publix Super Markets: Its Strategy in the U.S. Supermarket and Grocery Store Industry

1.What are the chief elements of Publix Super Markets' strategy? How good is the strategy?

2.What is competition like in the U.S. supermarket and grocery store industry? Which of the five competitive forces is strongest and why? Use the information in Figures 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8 (and the related discussions) in Chapter 3 to do a complete five-forces analysis of competition in the U.S. supermarket and grocery store industry.

3.How is the U.S. supermarket and grocery store industry changing? What are the 3-5 driving forces that may have the greatest impact on the industry? Will the combined effect of industry driving forces make competition in the industry more or less attractive?

4.What are Publix Supermarket's most competitively valuable capabilities and resources? Perform a VRIN analysis to support your assessment.

5.How well is Publix performing from a financial perspective? Do some number-crunching using the data in case Exhibits 1-3 to support your answer. Use the financial ratios presented in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 to help you diagnose Publix's financial performance.

6.With what strategic issues should Publix Supermarket's managers be concerned?

7.What recommendations would you make to Publix Super Market's top management regarding how best to sustain the company's growth and improve its financial performance?