Financial Ratio and Costco free essay sample

What is competition like in the North American wholesale club industry? Which of the fi ve 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 chapter discussions on pp. 57-70) to do complete five-force analysis of competition in the North American wholesale club industry. 2. Do all three warehouse club rivals—Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s Wholesale—have highly similar strategies? What differences in their strategies are apparent? Does one rival have a better strategy than the others? Does one rival have a somewhat weaker strategy than the other two? . Which of the three warehouse club rivals has been the strongest financial performer in recent years? Support your answer with calculations based on the data in case Exhibits 2, 6, and 7. Use the financial ratios presented in Table 4. 1 of Chapter 4 to help you with the needed number crunching. 4. Does the data in case Exhibit 5 indicate that Costco’s expansion outside North America (the U. We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Ratio and Costco or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page S. and Canada) is financially successful? Why or why not? 5. Five years from now, is Costco’s standing as the industry leader likely to be stronger or weaker? Are the other two rivals likely to gain or lose ground on Costco? Why or why not? 6. What recommendations would you make to Jim Sinegal regarding the actions that Costco management needs to take to sustain the company’s growth and improve its financial performance? 7. What actions do you think management at Sam’s Club should take to boost revenue growth and overall financial performance? 8. What actions do you think management at BJ’s Wholesale should take to boost revenue growth and overall financial performance? 1. What is Costco’s business model? Is the company’s business model appealing? Why or why not? Business Model is used to exemplify the methods and ways which we used to generate planned revenue. The Costco’s business model is to generate high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover by offering low prices on limited selection of national branded and select private-label products in wide range of merchandise categories. Costco’s offers these products to their members who are of two types’ business members and gold star members. This business model is tempting because it gives a test to Costco’s management to continue to devise strategies and methods through which they can keep hold f existing members and catch the attention of new members. Otherwise they will suffer failure because there will be a risk that discontented members will not renew their membership. This business model takes company towards total quality management. 2. What are the chief elements of Costco’s strategy? How good is the strategy? Strategy is the organization’s pre selected means or approach to gaining its goals or objectives, while keeping in view current and future external conditions. Costco’s strategy’s elements are: †¢ Low prices †¢ Limited product lines and selection Treasure hunt shopping environment By keeping low prices Costco’s is following cost leadership strategy which is good because on this base they can compete with their competitors. By limited product lines and limited selection they are offering limited 4000 items which are less as compared to its competitors. Costco’s is adopted market development strategy by capturing new markets for existing products. By treasure hunt shopping environment they provides such product at low prices to its members which they believe will not be available in next vi sit. This works as an incentive and members try to take maximum advantage and therefore Costco’s sales volume increases. At Costco’s warehouse products are not offered in every size. The strategy they followed is that by offering every size their efficiency will decrease therefore it is said intelligent loss of sales. Posted by Zita Mac. | Posted Date: 8/7/2011 12:04:29 PM 3. Do you think Jim Sinegal is an effective CEO? What grades would you give him in leading the process of crafting and executing Costco’s strategy? What support can you offer for these grades? Yes, I think Jim Sinegal is an effective CEO. He has a vision and proper plans that where Costco’s is and where it will be in long term time period. He plays an active role in overall strategy formulation, implementation and execution. He acts as producer, director and knowledgeable critic. He cut to the chase quickly, exhibiting passionate intent to detail and pricing. He used to firing a stream of questions at store managers about sales volumes and stock levels of particular items. He used to regularly analyze position of certain products in stores and give his comments on any aspect of store operations that caught his eyes. Jim Sinegal lead its team by front and the position where Costco’s wholesale stand is proof that he is and effective CEO. 4. How well Costco’s performing from financial prospective? How does the company compare to Sam’s Club and BJ’s wholesale? Financial performance of Costco’s wholesale can be measured with the help of financial ratio analysis. Financial ratio analysis is the calculation amp; comparison of ratios which are derived from the companys financial statements. According to given data current ratio of Costco’s wholesale is 1. 07 which shows that it can meet it current liabilities on time. Profitability ratios shows return on sales, as it is 1. 8% in 2008 it shows low profit margin on sales which is result of company’s policies of offering low prices. Return on Assets in 6% which shows that company is utilizing its assets in good way. Asset turnover ratio is 3% which shows company’s is efficient in utilizing its assets. This shows that overall financial position of Costco’s is strong. The Costco’s hold major share of 53% of wholesale club sales across the USA and Canada, Sam’s club having roughly 37% and BJ’s wholesale and several small competitors have 10% shares. Asset turnover ratio of Sam’s club and BJ’s wholesale is better in 2007 as compared to Costco’s club because of low prices offered by Costco’s club. Costco’s has low profit margin as compared to its competitors but its sales volume and membership base in strong. 5. Does the data in case exhibit 2 indicate that Costco’s expansion outside that United States is financially successful? Why or Why not? The data in case exhibit 2 indicates that Costco’s expansion outside the United Stated is financially successful. Because over years it shows a steady growth over years in sales and operating income of Costco’s arehouses which are outside United States. And data shows a Constant and significant share of operating income of warehouses which are outside of United States in total Costco’s Warehouse operating income. Revenue to number of warehouse ration is also increasing over period of time. Posted by Zita Mac. | Posted Date: 8/7/2011 12:04:54 PM 6. Perform a SWOT analysis and complete a strategic group map for Costco. What do these tell you about the company’s strategy and performance? How well is Costco performing from strategic prospective? Does Costco enjoy a competitive advantage over Sam’s Club? Over BJ’s wholesale?