Mcdonald 's Success Competitive Advantage

Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is the leading large-format general merchandise and discount retailer in the U.S., challenging Wal-Mart in electronics, toys and apparel while also seeking to differentiate with higher-end fashions and products for an upscale audience. As of the close of their latest fiscal year (FY2011), Target operated approximately 1,760 stores encompassing 233,000 square feet in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The company is divided into the retail and credit card divisions and moves the majority of its products through a highly integrated network of 37 different distribution centers, which include four food distribution centers. Target is one of the most well-entrenched large format retailers in the U.S., has the ability to manage their pricing strategies at a level of accuracy and precision that is comparable to Wal-Mart (Henderson, 2001). Unlike Wal-Mart, Target concentrates on a value-based message that concentrates on quality and price differentiation to sustain their gross margins while Wal-Mart concentrates on supply chain efficiency and a continual reduction of supplier and transaction costs (Krishnamurthi, 2001).

McDonalds is one of the biggest fast food companies in the market share today. It has been running in over 119 countries, as well as they have acquired over 31,000 restaurants in the world now. McDonald’s brand mission is to be customers’ favourite place and way to eat, they are aligned around a global strategy called the ‘Plan to Win’, they also committed to continuously improving their operations and enhancing their customers’ experience. As we all know that McDonald’s had successfully achieved their goal through out the years. (aboutmcdonald’s, 2012) Apart from this, as McDonald’s is a worldwide company, they also had the social responsibility to return the community; therefore, the ‘Ronald McDonald House Charities’ was

However Toyota also has cons, for example a con with their marketing techniques: not all of the information they provide customers with is 100% true. Toyota have a certain amount of merchandise which they need to sell to consumers, and if they do not manage to, then they lower the price and discount it in order to entice customers. However, when it is put into perspective that they have even cheaper cars, there are still others that are much cheaper, with similar specification. E.g. Ford have brought out a new innovative car with clever modern technology, and is more economical than a Toyota discounted car. In addition Toyota also had to reduce the price of their cars recently as customers were refusing to but their products for the full price. For example, they had to discount £500 off of a car, if bought within a certain amount of time. This shows that some of their

For the past 11 years, I have been working for the same organization. Kroger is a large grocery store chain in which operates under 15 different banners. Kroger was established in 1883 by Barnard Kroger. Operating in 34 states in the United States, Kroger is the second largest grocery chain in the U.S.

“We fulfill the needs and fuel the potential of our guests…making Target your preferred shopping destination…by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation, exceptional experiences…Expect More. Pay Less @ brand promise.” (CorporateTarget) In addition to fulfilling the needs of its guests and providing outstanding value of services, the company is also committed to proving services and relationship to its community, internal and external organization. Target’s objective focuses on its leaders, employees and to fulfill its consumer’s needs by offering excellent value of its brand. To gain competitive advantage and differential advantage, a Target’s corporate created a strategic unit marketing to provide multiple services to its consumers. Additionally, Target also offers its product brand to differentiate from its competitive market. Target retail store sells multiple products to provide its customer a single solution for its shopping destination. “Many organizations manage their differing…by providing customers a single-branded solution across multiple markets.” (Ferrell, Hartline, 2014) Target Corporation created a corporate strategy to have the opportunity and competitive advantage such as valuable products for fewer prices for a successful marketing

1. Answer the questions for the case “integrating McDonald 's Business, Human Resource, and Staffing Strategies" page 49, Chapter 2. [ 15 Marks]

Target Corporation has recognized itself as one of the top retailers in the United States market on the basis of excellent service quality, customer experiences, operational excellence, strong financial position, and a wide array of product offerings. Through its high degree of service orientation at physical outlets and adoption of fair business practices, Target Corporation has become the most distinctive retailer in the eyes of its potential customers. Being one of the top-notch retailers in the United States, Target Corporation has to carefully strategize on its business operations and marketing tactics so as to keep itself in the row of competitive brands of the industry.

KFCOne of the major competitors for McDonald in the burger segment is KFC. It first came to India in 1995, where it was one of the first multinational food chains to have entered India. It proved not to be a very good time to have come to India where people were still not able to come to terms with multinationals coming to India, and it was targeted by many and remained a not so known food outlet, while the ones which came later became more popular. KFC India had to shut shop in the late 1990s after it faced heavy protests not only from anti-multinational groups but also animal rights' protector, PETA.

Due to globalization and increased competition in the fast food industry, a very complex environment is created for McDonald’s. There are various internal and external environmental factors affecting the functions of McDonald’s corporation and demands for new innovations. The factors are as follows:

The main objective of a low-cost provider is to achieve a lower overall cost than its main competitors and rivals by means of underpricing (Gamble, 93). This is also known as price advantage in order to attract customers. Companies that use this strategy will achieve high sales volumes while striving for low cost margins. For example, Wal-Mart is known to have considerable low prices that attract a broad spectrum of customers. People who shop at Wal-Mart are familiar with their “Rollback Prices” which focus on the idea of everyday low prices that are sold at a far cheaper rate than its main competitors. They are able to sustain these prices because of a successful supply chain market. Many of the products they sell are from foreign and domestic markets that focus on a lower price demand. This allows Wal-Mart to sell their products at lower prices at a high volume. Basically, they buy a huge quantity in volume in order to achieve a lower price to gain a higher profit.

McDonalds obtained an additional customer base and this had a positive impact on sales. Also McDonalds have sponsored past Olympics and this increased the demand of a product especially the Big Mac, they also gained free publicity and this also increases the customer base. This avoids customers to switch to competitors and this means that they will obtain a healthy and stable profit for the future. In the past year if a customer bought a meal from McDonalds the customer would receive a cup as part of their purchase. This increased the amount of customers they get and it also made McDonalds stand out from its competitors. A unique selling point of products differentiates McDonalds from its competitors because they will be more customers visiting the restaurant and this will result to increase of sales.

It is no accident that McDonald’s has been around since 1954. Everything decision that is made is deliberate and thoughtful. With that being said, not all decisions have turned out the way McDonalds’s had hoped. That is why it is important for them to have a competitive strategy to guide their decision-making process. Not all businesses use the same competitive strategies, however, the goal is all the same: to gain a competitive advantage and increase profits.

Not having to answer to a corporate boss is the dream of many and the flexibility that owning a business franchise creates provides this option. Success is not reached by simply creating a business, however. The level of success is measured by the size and efficiency of the business. Business growth is the driving force of the economy. The additional jobs and revenues created when a business expands allow the economy to grow at exponential rates. One of the fastest and most popular ways to increase the size of a business is to turn it into a franchise, which can then be purchased by individuals. Franchising provides opportunities that are beneficial to both the parent company and the purchaser. The company that owns the business can expand

The main problem from McDonald's case, McDonald's Polishing the Golden Arches, is how to classify McDonald's strategy through Plan to Win into one of the five generic competitive strategies. Before we solve this main problem, we should determine the chief economic and business characteristics, the five forces analysis, and also the driving forces of the fast-food industry. After that we identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats by using SWOT analysis. Finally, we classify McDonald's strategy into one of the five generic competitive strategies.

"i 'm lovin ' it is a key part of McDonald 's business strategy to connect with customers in highly relevant, culturally significant ways around the world."