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WE ARE MARKET BASKET

We Are Market Basket

Lorena Ayala

South Texas College

May 2nd 2020

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WE ARE MARKET BASKET

We Are Market Basket

“We Are Market Basket” is more than a case study full of information and valuable

lessons that have gone on to prosper throughout the business world. In fact, the entire point of

the case study is to prove that there is more going on behind the scenes of a business than we are

able to imagine at first glance. Market basket supermarkets hold a name high within the grocery

store chain and business tower, due to the fact they have structured their company to give back to

its employees. Pride is the word used to describe what Market basket supermarkets give their

employees through annual bonuses, retirement options and other incentives specifically set out to

take care of each person within the company as they strive for success together. While the case-

study focuses its attention on the bright and positive aspects of Market basket supermarkets, the

richness of its existence is behind the process of their success.

Success in the world of business is never a one-man job, in fact, there are a large number

of individuals involved in the prosperity of a company; for instance, assistants, employees,

managers, executives, etc... Market basket supermarkets stand by their word that every

individual involved takes a share in the success of the company as a team. No team can go

without a game plan. Market basket supermarkets have something even better than a game plan

to prepare them for competition. They have what is called a business model, detailed blueprints

as to what the business should follow to perform at its best. This business model has proved to be

very successful in helping Market basket supermarkets see prosperity, due to their devotion to

the company, inside and outside of the work environment. With the business model in sights of

advancement, there is no question the modernized version won’t continue to bring the company

success, after all, they were the and still are the leaders of low prices, “You can go to the Stop &
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WE ARE MARKET BASKET

Shop and pay $3.99 for a package of Oreos. They might sell 100 of them. We sell them for

$1.50, but we’ll sell 10,000. We’re going to win in volume. We always win in volume” (……..).

Teamwork goes a long way, especially in the eyes of Market basket supermarkets and

their employees because through each of their endeavors, a measure of collective action has been

placed to stand as proof of such collaborative success. The best example of such commitment

and work ethic was shown through the responses of employees when the CEO of Market basket

supermarkets, Arthur T was fired. Market basket employees refused to let such a thing go

without saying. Arthur T was known within the company for giving his all to his employees and

his customers, whether it was through above minimum wages, low prices, or a clear return policy

he never failed to make everyone involved feel the rising triumph of his efforts. When Arthur T

was fired, this opened the way for a protest against the business model, over the course of stress

and fear of what was to be expected of management, wages, and price changes. Persistence on

the part of these employees demonstrates unity to fight for fellow employees and for customer

needs and aspirations, not more money at the expense of poor work ethic. This attitude to be

more for its people is what sets Market basket supermarkets apart from competitors, so much so

that the evidence presents itself in their numbers, “Market Basket’s business model was driven

by volume: 2.1 million customer transactions a week, an average of 29,600 per store (compared

to 15,746 per week for a typical supermarket ^23)” (…….).

Like most businesses, Market basket supermarkets had to endure conflict in different

forms. Conflict can best be described as a series of miscommunications that fill each branch of

the what is the process of conflict at its entirety. The process of conflict is separated into several

phases which are potential opposition, cognition and personalization, intention, behavior and
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WE ARE MARKET BASKET

outcome. Each phase plays part in what kind of conflict is being experienced, this is known as

the loci of conflict, meaning that the conflict can be categorized as either intra group or

intergroup. In the case of Market basket supermarkets, they experienced the loci of conflict that

is intragroup. Intragroup conflict is a miscommunication over the interaction of one or more

individuals that stand on the same side of beliefs. This conflict is also tied to relationship

conflict, meaning that there is an opposing amount of negative emotion being set out as tension

between two or more people. Market basket experienced these forms of conflict up close and

personal from the start of Market basket supermarkets in 1917. Demoulas’ grandfather was at the

hands of expansion for the company, turning a small market place store into a fine line that is the

grocery store chain, taken over by his children in the future. It might have sounded simple in the

beginning but the ownership of the business and managerial style was fought over on each side

of the business because ultimately their decision would go on and be enforced throughout the

company, both in and out of the workplace.  

All in all, Market basket supermarkets have made a great name for themselves. Market

basket supermarkets have held and will continue to hold a name high within the grocery store

chain and business tower, due to the fact they have structured their company to give back to its

employees and customers. Pride is the word used to describe what Market basket supermarkets

give their employees through annual bonuses, retirement options and other incentives

specifically set out to take care of each person within the company as they strive for success

together. They have worked for their praises, in providing more than a secular position to those

in need, they provide good work ethic, equal opportunity to share in company success and

valuable lessons that have and will continue to influence the business world as we know it.
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WE ARE MARKET BASKET

While the We Are Market Basket case-study focuses its attention on the positive aspects of

Market basket supermarkets, the richness of its existence is behind the process of their success.