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• Background Note | HBS Case Collection | April 2020

  U.S. Food Retail During the Pandemic: March 2020

  José B. Alvarez and Natalie Kindred

  This note, written in late March 2020 and mainly U.S. focused, looks at the unfolding impact of the coronavirus pandemic on food retailers and their suppliers. It allows student to consider the challenges facing food retail executives as they navigate urgent supply chain challenges amid rapidly changing information and circumstances. It touches on developments in various segments of the supply chain, including farms, manufacturers, the trucking industry, warehouse operators, and store operations, as well as home delivery. The note is “set” as the outbreak is accelerating in the U.S., where the first “hot spots” include cities such as Seattle and New York City. Officials in many states have ordered or advised residents to stay home, exempting those employed in industries designated “essential,” including food. The food industry is contending with a massive surge in demand for staple goods, as consumers worry about product shortages, seek to minimize store visits, and anticipate long stretches of time at home. Stock-outs and rationing in some categories in stores are widespread. Demand for online food shopping and delivery has skyrocketed well beyond the current capacity of retailers in many markets. As they scramble to respond, players up and down the food supply chain are changing how they source, make, move, and stock products. While U.S. officials have asserted that the food system remains reliable, anecdotal news is emerging of problems facing individual players, industry segments, and geographies. With the crisis expected to continue for weeks or months, all are bracing for even greater challenges.

  Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Risk Management; Food; Supply Chain; Consumer Behavior; Demand and Consumers; Trade; Crisis Management; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Retail Industry; United States;

  Citation:

  Alvarez, José B., and Natalie Kindred. "U.S. Food Retail During the Pandemic: March 2020." Harvard Business School Background Note 520-098, April 2020.  View Details

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• Case | HBS Case Collection | December 2019 (Revised March 2020)

  Impossible Foods

  Jose B. Alvarez and Natalie Kindred

  Keywords: Agribusiness; Food; Consumer Behavior; Behavior; Venture Capital; Technological Innovation; Innovation Strategy; Entrepreneurship; Marketing Strategy; Distribution; Production; Product Development; Product Positioning; Growth Management; Global Strategy; Competition; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Technology Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; Consumer Products Industry; United States; China; Asia; California; Hong Kong; Taiwan;

  Citation:

  Alvarez, Jose B., and Natalie Kindred. "Impossible Foods." Harvard Business School Case 520-046, December 2019. (Revised March 2020.)  View Details

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• Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | March 2020

  Grupo Éxito: Facing Colombia's Competitive Grocery Retail Industry

  Jose B. Alvarez and Carla Larangeira

  Citation:

  Alvarez, Jose B., and Carla Larangeira. "Grupo Éxito: Facing Colombia's Competitive Grocery Retail Industry." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 520-082, March 2020.  View Details

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