abhishreshthaa
Abhijeet S
Corning Incorporated is an American manufacturer of glass, ceramics and related materials, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. The company was known as Corning Glass Works until 1989, when it changed its name to Corning Incorporated. While probably best known for its line of Corelle tableware and Pyrex cookware (businesses which it sold, but still holds an ~8% interest) Corning has transformed itself over the years into a high technology company, allocating a significant amount of resources towards research and development. As of 2008, Corning has five major business sectors: Display Technologies, Environmental Technologies, Life Sciences, Telecommunications and Specialty Materials. Corning is also involved in several joint equity ventures. These include Dow Corning, as well as two companies, Quest Diagnostics and Covance, that were spun off from Corning.
Strengths
* Multiple formats and solid market share in major metropolitan areas
* dunnhumby & shopper insights program
* Well known regional brands
* Developed private label and loyalty marketing programs
* Pricing image
* Very strong organic growth (i.e., comparable and identical store sales)
* Kroger Card Discount
Weaknesses
* High operating expense structure
* Inconsistent productivity and execution across divisions
* Legacy costs - store base aging rapidly
Opportunities
* Expansion of Food 4 Less and Marketplace formats into new markets
* Leverage synergies across Kroger East and West
* Centralizing functions to create operating and merchandising efficiencies
* Beginning to re-capture shoppers and trips
Threats
* Wal-Mart expansion in core Kroger markets
* Gross margin pressure
* Labor unions
* Competitive threats inside and outside of channel (Whole Foods, Costco, etc.)
* Aging real estate
* Economic downturn
Strengths
* Multiple formats and solid market share in major metropolitan areas
* dunnhumby & shopper insights program
* Well known regional brands
* Developed private label and loyalty marketing programs
* Pricing image
* Very strong organic growth (i.e., comparable and identical store sales)
* Kroger Card Discount
Weaknesses
* High operating expense structure
* Inconsistent productivity and execution across divisions
* Legacy costs - store base aging rapidly
Opportunities
* Expansion of Food 4 Less and Marketplace formats into new markets
* Leverage synergies across Kroger East and West
* Centralizing functions to create operating and merchandising efficiencies
* Beginning to re-capture shoppers and trips
Threats
* Wal-Mart expansion in core Kroger markets
* Gross margin pressure
* Labor unions
* Competitive threats inside and outside of channel (Whole Foods, Costco, etc.)
* Aging real estate
* Economic downturn