Competitive Strategies of Independent Grocers: A Ten-Year Review

Authors

  • Paula S. Weber St. Cloud State University

Abstract

 Independent   grocers   have  faced   stiff   competition  from   each   other   in   terms  of  price competition and moves to consolidate, as well as from large, well-financed grocery chains during the past decade. This paper explores competitive strategies pursued by successful independents for a ten-year period from 1990-2000. The analysis is based on a review of ten years of issues of the Progressive Grocer: The Publication for Strategic Management. Through structured content analysis, five dimensions of competitive strategy pursued by independents were identified and analyzed: marketing, quality, international, low cost, and service. Study results highlight strategic trends followed by successful independent grocers. Study findings provide insight into the strategic responses of independent grocers to the intense competitive pressures faced  during the last decade. The paper concludes with suggestions for future strategic actions by independent grocers.

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Published

2002-06-23

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2002)

Section

Articles

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Competitive Strategies of Independent Grocers: A Ten-Year Review. (2002). Journal of Small Business Strategy (archive Only), 13(2), 75-84. https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/jsbs/article/view/512