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  • May 2004 (Revised July 2004)
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Clarence Saunders: The Comeback King

By: Nitin Nohria and Bridget Gurtler
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:12
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Abstract

Follows the rise and fall of the founder of the modern supermarket, Clarence Saunders. Prior to 1915, all staple shopping took place in the market or general store, where a clerk behind a counter pulled items from shelves for customers , measured them from a barrel, or retrieved them from the back of the store. The clerk tallied costs and added them to a customer's credit account. Purchases were then either delivered to a home or handed over on the spot--not a terribly efficient process. The entire ritual of shopping for food changed with the vision of Clarence Saunders and his Piggly Wiggly store.

Keywords

Inflation and Deflation; Mission and Purpose; Business Processes; Leadership; Consumer Behavior; Leadership Style; Advertising; Customer Relationship Management; Customer Value and Value Chain; Order Taking and Fulfillment

Citation

Nohria, Nitin, and Bridget Gurtler. "Clarence Saunders: The Comeback King." Harvard Business School Case 404-070, May 2004. (Revised July 2004.)
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About The Author

Nitin Nohria

Organizational Behavior
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