Grocery Store Business Plan Sample

The rebound of brick and mortar businesses like grocery stores is a proof of the industry’s resilience. Retail sales are expected to increase by 5% in the next few years.  This grocery store business plan sample is focused on the growing grocery store business in Jacksonville, Florida.  The city is known for its beach resorts, amusement parks, warm and sunny climate, nautical recreation, Walt Disney World, and the Kennedy Space Center which draws tens of millions of visitors annually. Our grocery store business plan writers created this sample for your review.

 

Executive Summary

RS Foods Inc. (herein also referred to as “Market-to-Home Grocer” or “The Company”) was incorporated on October 14, 2021 in Tampa, Florida by Co-Founders, Jivan Bakshi and Ishani Bakshi. The company is opening a new MTH Grocer store franchise in Jacksonville, Florida to meet the increasing demand for South Asian products.

 

Market-to-Home Grocer was founded over 20 years ago and has grown to 11 franchises throughout Florida. Market-to-Home Grocer Supermarket offers authentic Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and primarily Indian grocery products. With a substantial South Asian community in Jacksonville, Florida, Market-to-Home Grocer has experienced significant growth in recent years.

 

Today, Co-Founders, Jivan Bakshi and Ishani Bakshi have identified a clear market opportunity in Jacksonville for a new location. Jacksonville has a population of 150,000, and South Asians are its largest ethnic group with over 3,000 residents. This is a key growth area for the province in terms of population and economic growth, and Market-to-Home Grocer will greatly benefit from these developments. The store is already under construction, and will open on January 1, 2023.

 

The owners are seeking a loan of $350,000 through the U.S. Small Business Financing Program for the purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements. The store will carry an initial inventory amounting to $80,000. With this financing secured, the business is projected to be profitable within the first year of operation.

 

This business plan outlines the strategies in place to establish Market-to-Home Grocer, and further develop the Market-to-Home Grocer brand across Florida. First, the market is analyzed in terms of government regulations, market trends, and existing competitors. Second, pricing and key success factors are identified and set as benchmarks for future success. Third, a comprehensive Sales and Marketing plan is developed to identify the target market segments and the appropriate marketing communications channels to raise awareness, encourage action, and ensure a repeat customer base.

 

The company’s management team offers a diverse skill set spanning from authentic Indian culinary experience to construction and operations.   Together, Co-Founders, Jivan Bakshi and Ishani Bakshi will share the workload of launching and scaling Market-to-Home Grocer.

 

Business Overview

 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to establish a family-friendly grocery store that offers fresh, quality and affordable products to the growing South Asian community in Jacksonville.

 

Vision Statement 

Our vision is for Market-to-Home Grocer bring immigrant families and international students closer to home by providing them with authentic food products and ingredients, as well as an efficient Western Union remittance service that connects people with their families back home.

 

Core Values

Our core values are:

• Low Prices: We always put the phrase “Unbeatable Deal” in all of our brochures and marketing material because we guarantee our customers that at Market-to-Home Grocer, customers receive the best value for their money.
• Quality: We offer various product types, including fresh food, baked goods, imported food items, and other non-food items such as cleaning products and general groceries. All products are of excellent quality, and they are properly packed, stored and shelved to ensure quality, freshness, and safety.
• Customer-focused approach: Low prices and high quality products are not enough; our store also believes that a customer-focused approach to doing business will lead to success and long-term growth. With customers being the priority, every business decision will be aimed towards serving them at all times.
• Accessibility: Market-to-Home Grocer is strategically located in a key part of Jacksonville, with access to parking spaces, accessibility to public transport, and overall safety and cleanliness of the area. We are also exploring other ways to reach you, such as delivery services in the future.
• Community: Market-to-Home Grocer is an integral part of the South Asian community in Florida. We strive to maintain a family-friendly environment in our store, both for customers and staff. We do this by constant communication with customers and excellent customer service.

 

Milestones

• RS Foods Inc. was incorporated in the Tampa in October 14, 2021
• The owners signed an agreement with Market-to-Home Grocer’s parent company for a franchise
• The store is currently under construction, and it is projected to open shop by January 1, 2023
• Partnerships are being secured with suppliers, with assistance from the parent company

 

Goals and Objectives

• To complete construction of the grocery store and open to the public on or before January 2023, offering food and non-food products
• To offer a family-friendly type of service to customers, particularly South Asian immigrants and students who are looking for products from home
• To achieve financial success by generating at least  1.30 – 1.40 Million in revenue within the first two years of operations
• To build a competent and customer-focused team consisting of store managers, staff, inventory specialists, logistics and supply management staff,  and eventually delivery drivers and other partners.
• To consistently increase social media following of Market-to-Home Grocer, and eventually use digital platforms to generate customer orders and receive constructive feedback
• To meet and exceed health, sanitation, operating and safety standards set by the American Government, complying with all permits, insurances, and health and safety checks on the facilities and people
• To safeguard customers and staff from the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus by regular disinfection, recording zero positive cases amongst staff and customers

 

Market Analysis

The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry in the U.S. has continued to grow throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. While rising levels of consumer confidence and slight growth in per capita disposable income provided an optimal business environment, the spread of supercentres has stifled industry revenue as it increased price-based competition and provided customers with a one-stop shopping experience. Many consumers sought cost savings at grocery stores, stocking up on promotional items or trading down to private-label brands. In response to growing demand for affordable options, retailers expanded their private-label product lines to appeal to price-conscious consumers. However, while this shift has helped operators maintain sales volumes, industry revenue growth has been constrained by the lower price points of these private-label products. 

 

In response to intensifying competition from discount retailers, the industry’s leading grocery store chains have acquired smaller competitors in recent years to expand their market share and lower operating costs through economies of scale. This trend of consolidation, combined with the growing popularity of high-end, high-margin organic foods, has caused industry profit to expand during the period. Profit, measured as earnings before interest and taxes, is estimated to account for 1.5% of industry revenue, up from 1.4% in 2016.

 

Over the coming years, economic indicators pertinent to the industry, such as increasing per capita disposable income, will likely be beneficial to the industry. Therefore, industry revenue is forecast to grow an annualized 1.0% to $103.4 billion over the five years to 2026.  The growing health consciousness of American consumers is expected to continue to generate significant demand for a variety of niche, high-end food products, such as organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO foods. Increased sales of these relatively expensive goods will likely be the primary reason for eventual industry revenue growth during the latter half of the period, though operators may continue to experience significant price-based competition from supercentres and other external competitors.

 

Government Regulations

The parent company forges supply partnerships and complies with regulatory requirements across the entire value chain of Market-to-Home Grocer.

 

There are many partners involved in the value chain when importing food, plants and animals and their products, from foreign industry suppliers and the associated foreign competent authorities to foreign importers. American importers are responsible for ensuring that the goods they import into the U.S. meet American requirements. This includes the following actions:

 

• presenting goods and documentation at the time of importation for inspection
• ensuring that regulations and standards are met
• allowing access to importing establishments once a good arrives in the U.S.

 

Several federal government departments play a role in managing imports.

 

American Food Inspection Agency

The American Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for verifying that imported food, plants and animals meet American requirements. This is done by using control measures at strategic points along the import continuum, from foreign countries to the domestic marketplace.

 

The U.S. Border Services Agency

The U.S. Border Services Agency (CBSA) facilitates the flow of legitimate travelers and trade by enforcing more than 90 acts and regulations that keep U.S. and Americans safe. The USBSA controls the movement of goods into the country and conducts inspections and other activities at airports, marine terminals, mail/courier facilities and land border crossings.

 

Global Affairs U.S.

Global Affairs U.S. (GAUS) issues permits for goods on the Import Control List under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act. GAUS Foreign Trade Service assists AFIA with foreign trade partners when negotiating import market access.

 

Health U.S.

Health U.S. (HC) is responsible for:

• Establishing policies, regulations and standards for the safety and nutritional value of all food sold in U.S. and for conducting health risk assessments for food
• Protecting animal health through standard setting, evaluating and monitoring of the safety, quality and effectiveness of veterinary drugs, and promoting the prudent use of veterinary drugs administered to food-producing and companion animals
• Establishing policies and programs for regulating pesticides in U.S. under the Pest Control Products Act

Meanwhile, the Retail Council of U.S. has assembled a chart of regulations and health and safety guidelines for retailers who are reopening or continuing to open during COVID-19. Information includes:

• Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements
• Personal Protective Equipment required
• Any rules in place for customer or employee screening
• Rules in place for returns, fitting rooms, bagging and bulk bins

 

Market Trends 

The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry in the U.S. has experienced modest growth over the five years to 2019. During this period, while rising levels of consumer confidence and slight growth in per capita disposable income provided an optimal business environment, the proliferation of supercentres stifled industry revenue as it increased price-based competition and provided customers with a one-stop shopping experience. Many consumers seeked cost savings at grocery stores, stocking up on promotional items or trading down to private label brands. In response to growing demand for affordable options, retailers expanded their private label product lines to appeal to price-conscious consumers. 

 

The industry’s leading grocery store chains have acquired smaller competitors in recent years to expand their market share and lower operating costs through economies of scale. Over the coming years, while economic indicators pertinent to the industry such as increased per capita disposable income will be beneficial to the industry, increased external competition will result in abated growth.

 

The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry in the U.S. comprises the largest food retail channel in America. These establishments retail general lines of food products, including fresh and prepared meats, poultry and seafood, canned and frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and various dairy products. This industry excludes convenience stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters.

 

Meanwhile, Indian immigration to the U.S. is on the rise due to changes in requirements in other countries such as the US, and the ability of American universities to attract international students by giving them a clearer path towards securing employment and a permanent residence. The rise in Indian students coming to American universities is likely a significant reason that Indian immigration has surged. 

 

The number of Indian international students studying at American universities rose from 76,075 in 2016 to 172,625 in 2018, an increase of 127%, according to the American Bureau for International Education. In contrast, at U.S. universities, the number of international students from India enrolled in graduate-level programs in computer science and engineering fell by 21% (18,590 fewer graduate students) from 2016 to 2017.

 

Key Competitors

 

Fresh Field Farmers Market

Headquartered in Autumn Park Rd., Jacksonville, Fresh Field Farmers Market is Market-to-Home Grocer’s closest competitor. It is a supermarket chain that supplies authentic food and ingredients from South Asia. It has 18 stores across Florida and in the U.S., and it is a well-known brand already in the areas where they have stores in.

Sprouts Market Blooms

Sprouts Market Blooms is a traditional Asian supermarket located along Town and Country Parkway, Jacksonville. While it sells some Indian products, it does not offer the same specialization and variety that Market-to-Home Grocer and Fresh Field Farmers Market offers in terms of South Asian food and ingredients.

 

Grassroots Market

Located at Park One St., Jacksonville, Grassroots Market is also a supermarket dedicated to supplying South Asian food and ingredients. It is smaller compared to Fresh Field Farmers Market  and Market-to-Home Grocer, however it also has similarities with Market-to-Home Grocer due to its promotional strategies.

 

Products and Services

 

Pricing Model

The pricing model for items sold at the store are as follows:

Others:

• Western Union remittance charges will also be a source of revenue for Market-to-Home Grocer. Charges depend on recipient location. There will be a dedicated Western Union remittance counter in the store, and customers can send money for as low as $6.00 fee.
• Market-to-Home Grocer is popular for its “Unbeatable Deal” slogan on its brochures and other marketing materials. The store will offer affordable items at competitive prices.
• The standard retail prices for commodities are set by the parent company. The franchisor also sets sales promotion schedules and offer periods.

 

Competitive Advantage 

Accessibility of store: Market-to-Home Grocer is strategically situated at the heart of the commercial district of Jacksonville It is accessible via public transportation, making it convenient for those who will commute or walk there. There are several other attractions and establishments in the area, including Shambhu’s Spice House Cuisine of India, Save-On-Foods, Centennial and Lions Parks, and Old Town Farm Market. Many households are also within a walking distance from the store.

 

Well-established brand:  Market-to-Home Grocer’s market share has been growing steadily. There are now 12 stores across seven key markets: 5 in Surrey, 2 in Abbotsford, and 1 each in Burnaby, Nanaimo, Pitt Meadows, Langley and Courtenay. With this wide presence, customers find familiarity of the brand and the level of customer service and product quality it provides. This is also advantageous from a supply chain standpoint, because with a bigger reach, Market-to-Home Grocer has stronger bargaining power over its suppliers.

 

Variety of available products: The store will offer various food and non-food products such as (i) bakery and bread, (ii) meat and seafood, (iii) pasta, rice and flour, (iv) lentils, (v) spices, (vi) oils, sauce, dressing, (vii) soups and canned foods, (viii) dairy, cheese, eggs, (ix) kitchen hardware and utensils, (x) produce, and (xi) drinks. There is also a captive market for the store because it also offers Western Union remittance services.

 

New facilities: The newly-constructed store is strategically located in Jacksonville; Highway 33; Close to Sikh Temple; Close to Largest Bus Exchange in Jacksonville; UBC is 10 minutes away; Other major establishments in the vicinity are: Saveon, Shoppers, TD Bank, RBC, Pizza Hut, ICBC, Garcha Meats etc. So there is a lot of foot traffic in the area.

 

Western Union remittance service: South Asians comprise a majority of immigrants in the U.S. over the years. As per the recent census, there are close to 2 million Americans of South Asian descent in the country. With Western Union services available within the store, customers can also do their shopping there. Brochures will be placed in the remittance area to entice them to come to the store itself.

 

Key Success Factors

Proximity to key markets: This factor enables operators to maximize their exposure by being located in populated areas including shopping strips and malls. Clear signage, easy access and ample parking also drive foot traffic.

 

Level of competition in the market: Grocery stores compete with a variety of retailers within the food retailing sector. Furthermore, supermarkets that are located close to discount stores and wholesale clubs have grown at a slower rate than other operators.

 

Inventory management: Operators must ensure that popular products are always available and maintain operational costs by minimizing unnecessary stock buildup.

 

Having a loyal customer base: Securing a loyal customer base is critical for operators due to increasing price-based competition.

 

Having a wide and expanding product range: Operators were permitted to remain open during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, as they provide food products, which are basic necessities.

 

Specialization in a product/service that is considered essential by legislators: Operators were permitted to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic since they provide food products, which are basic necessities.

Sales and Marketing Plan

 

Target Customer

The primary target market of Market-to-Home Grocer is the South Asian population of Jacksonville and nearby. Included are Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans. The sub-segments are:

 

Immigrant Families:  There are over 3,000 South Asians in Jacksonville alone – not to mention in nearby areas. These families need supplies of their local food, and apart from Fruiticana, no other store can provide them with these imported and special foods.

 

Students: There are two major educational institutes in the Jacksonville area: the University of Florida and Okanagan College. Immigrants and visiting South Asians studying and living near campuses who prefer native food over Western food will be a priority segment for the store.

 

Restaurant and business owners: There are several Indian and Pakistani restaurants nearby, including Dawett Fine Indian Cuisine, Shambhu Spice House, and Pakwaan Restaurant. The store can forge supply partnerships with these establishments for commodities and ingredients.

 

General public: Recent surveys indicate that Indian Food is a top choice of cuisine for Americans. Non-South Asians will also be the store’s target market, as it can offer “authentic” and original ingredients with the right promotional strategies.

 

Key Events

Diwali: Every October/November, Indians and South Asians celebrate Diwali, which is their most important holiday of the year. During this season, families get together and prepare huge meals and host parties. A special campaign will be dedicated to Diwali Shoppers, as it will generate the most sales of Indian food commodities during every calendar year.

 

Eid-ul-Fitr: Also known as “Sweet Eid” because of the amount and variety of sweet dishes consumed on this occasion celebrating the happy end of Ramadan (which brings the mercy of Allah). The breakfast of Eid-ul-Fitr are sweet dishes, including Boeber, a dish made by cooking vermicelli with dates.

 

Navratri: Navratri is a Hindu festival that spans over nine nights and is celebrated every year in the autumn season. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere. 

 

Key Channels

Since the grocery store operates as a franchise, marketing materials and social media are from the parent company. This will be advantageous for the owners because they can take advantage of an established marketing communications strategy that they can just help facilitate.

 

Social Media Marketing: There were approximately 31.76 million social media users in the U.S. in 2021 across popular platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok. These channels are used to build the brand, grow the following, establish relationships, integrate marketing communications strategy and generate sales, and receive feedback from customers. Market-to-Home Grocer has over 1,000 followers on its official Facebook page, not taking into account the tens of thousands of shares over their regular brochure posts.

 

Local Radio: This is a powerful channel for promoting the store to a wider audience. In Jacksonville there are two major news stations: AM 1250 and USBC Radio. On non-news channels such as Beach Radio 89.9 and Sun FM 103.5, the owners will buy advertising space to promote the store.

 

Email Marketing: This is commonly used to build the brand, keep customers informed and deliver marketing messages directly to a list of email subscribers. Market-to-Home Grocer has a regular newsletter that sends its subscribers weekly brochures, promotions, and other announcements. The launch of the Jacksonville branch will be promoted through this channel, which will significantly increase market awareness.

 

Weekly Flyers: Market-to-Home Grocer is well-known for its brochures. This is an important promotional tool. Weekly flyers can be distributed door-to-door, in offices, and also given to passing people on major streets by distributors. The “Unbeatable Deal” slogan will attract customers looking for the best prices on quality products.

 

Offline Marketing: There will be caravans, pop-up shops in events and posters in public transportation. These offline strategies will help increase local brand awareness for the store.

 

Partnership Marketing: Partnerships and memberships with Florida Chamber of Commerce, local student associations, and trade and industry groups will be forged. The aim is to connect with other businesspeople for bulk and wholesale transactions.

 

Community Events: Diwali is a critical season for the store, and a major marketing push will be done to capture the majority of the market. Demand forecasts will be linked with supply orders.

 

B2B Marketing: Bulk buyers such as Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan restaurants. The owners may offer them institutional partner discounts. Another example will be Indian-owned companies based in the vicinity, which runs catering services and canteens.

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

SWOT Analysis

 

Operational Plan

 

Operational Process

Store hours are : 

9AM to 9PM ; 

7 days a week.

 

The franchisor shall provide training in running and managing the store. Pricing, Procurement, Advertisement, display setup, inventory maintenance, store layout etc. He shall be helping in store setup, procurement of store equipment, setup etc. An initial franchising signup fee of $25,000 is payable at the time of signing up franchisee agreement. No franchise fee for the first year of operations. Year 2 onwards the franchise fee shall be 2% of gross sales.

 

In addition an amount of $2,500 per month is payable towards advertisement, business promotion fund maintained by the franchisor. 

 

Western Union remittance areas will also help increase sales of Market-to-Home Grocer. These counters are very successful as it helps bring footfall, resulting in additional revenue from grocery sales. This is a competitive advantage for Market-to-Home Grocer, as no competitor offers this service within its facility.  

 

A future development will be the integration of food delivery, which has gained popularity amongst residents during the COVID-19 pandemic that has limited mobility and purchasing. 

 

Health & Safety

The primary health and safety concern for retailers at the moment is the spread of COVID-19 amongst staff and customers. Given the uncertainty brought about by new variants and their sudden outbreak, Work Safe BC created a COVID-19 Safety Plan document that businesses can use to plan accordingly. It outlines a six-step process to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan, which includes:

 

• Assess the risks at the workplace
• Implement protocols to reduce the risk
• Develop policies
• Develop communication plans and training
• Monitor the workplace and evaluate the plans
• Assess and address risks from operations

 

Meanwhile, upon establishing the store, Market-to-Home Grocer must comply with building and fire code regulations. For example, the Fire Services Act establishes the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and allows for:

 

• Appointments of Local Assistants to the Fire Commissioner 
• Fire safety and prevention requirements
• Inspection of fire hazards
• The order and appeal process
• Adoption of the National Fire Code in provincial regulation
• Authority to enter, exclude and investigate

 

The business will comply with all health and safety requirements in order to protect customers and staff from any form of hazard, be it medical or not.

 

Equipment & Inventory

As a franchise, the inventory of Market-to-Home Grocer will be set up by the franchisor with favorable terms and prices already negotiated. There will be a combination of local and imported sources depending on the product category. There are also several local suppliers for frozen produce.

 

Meanwhile, other items will be purchased directly from importers / manufacturers and wholesalers, such as Gagan Foods, Verka Foods, Brar Natural, House of Sher, Pacific Crown Distributors, and World Foods, among others.

 

Meanwhile, the equipment requirements of the store are as follows:

• DIsplay and merchandising supplies
• Refrigeration equipment
• Cashier supplies, such as POS systems and barcode scanners
• Office equipment such as laptops, supplies
• LED screens and additional counters for Western Union service

 

Location

• The store will be 4,500 sq. ft. in total area – 4,000 sq. ft. for the store and 500 sq. ft. for the warehouse and office
• Jacksonville is home to more than 143,000 people
• Jacksonville encompasses 214 km2 of land and 48 km2 of water area
• Jacksonville is 344 metres (1,129 feet) above sea level
• The average daytime high during July and August is 27.4 C
• The average daytime high during December and January is -0.3 C; the average low is -7.7 C
• Jacksonville receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and 28 cm of rain
• Total annual precipitation is 366.4 mm. (280.7 mm. of rain and 105.5 cm of snow)
• Jacksonville General Hospital  is the largest and most comprehensive in the southern interior of Florida. with a full treatment cancer clinic
• Jacksonville is home to several local theater groups, a symphony orchestra, museums and numerous art galleries

 

Risk Analysis

RISK: Supply chain uncertainties – There are two ongoing global crises that negatively impact the global supply chain: the COVID-19 pandemic and the War in Ukraine. Both continue to cause disruptions in international trade, delaying deliveries and increasing costs of fuel and other inputs. One of the key competitive advantages of Market-to-Home Grocer is its ability to sell imported products, and this risk can lead to delays in delivery and/or decrease in profit margin. Indeed, there are three primary factors for supply chain uncertainty: (i) COVID-19 pandemic delaying deliveries; (ii) a more challenging economic and business environment; and (iii) the increased awareness of the environmental impact of supply chain activities.

 

Mitigation Strategy: Market-to-Home Grocer is ready for these supply chain uncertainties, as it has forged partnerships with several local suppliers and importers over the past 15 years of its operations. Also, the company will be implementing an effective inventory management system to ensure that products are ordered as soon as stock levels reach a certain low level. Meanwhile, unavailability of popular items may also erode customer trust and confidence towards the store, so open communication will be key.

 

RISK: COVID-19 restrictions – Aside from supply chain disruptions, the spread of the COVID-19 virus continues to limit physical movement, including shopping. In Florida, there are vaccination and mask mandates still in place due to the spread of the Omicron variant. In-store customer limits are varying depending on the level of transmission within an area. These uncertainties may lead to limited physical in-store transactions not only due to the restrictions but also to the anxiety of residents about going outside.

 

Mitigation Strategy: The store is considering forging partnerships with delivery services such as ABC Couriers for groceries. Doing this will increase its reach to customers in the area, especially if tighter restrictions are imposed. Also, physical distancing, strict mask mandate enforcement, and no vaccination, no entry policies will be strictly observed to protect customers and staff from the spread of COVID-19.

 

Management Team

Jivan Bakshi and Ishani Bakshi are the owners and operators of Market-to-Home Grocer Store Jacksonville branch. They will be engaged in the day-to-day running of the store, where they will be able to manage and mentor their employees.

 

Ishani Bakshi will be the manager looking after accounts payable, staff scheduling, payroll, till incharge, customer service, and others. She has a diverse background ranging from management, culinary arts and healthcare. She is passionate about cooking and using native ingredients from India, having worked and studied as a Chef for over seven years. This is evidenced by her Culinary Arts Management Diploma from Okanagan College, which she finished in 2020. She is adept in food preparation, infusions, hot and cold kitchens, butchery, baking and food preparation.

 

Ms. Bakshi is known to be a passionate, driven, and customer-focused person, and this will prove to be useful as she manages and operates the new store. She values precision, proper stocking, effectiveness and efficiency, and she will impart these core values to her employees. Finally, she volunteers as a cook at the local Jacksonville General Hospital during her free time to be actively involved in the community.

 

Joining Ishani in this endeavor is Jivan Bakshi, a resident of Tampa, Florida who will be supervising orders, stocks, and inventory.  Like his partner, Jivan values effectiveness and efficiency, having been involved in many aspects of the construction industry for nearly 5 years. He is also adept in managing his project teams, and he is known and revered by his colleagues for his outstanding customer service, scheduling, and leadership skills. Finally, Jivan does projects in residential and commercial construction, inspection, handy work and repair. 

 

Key Personnel

Procurement Officer responsibilities:

• Overseeing and supervising employees and all activities of the purchasing department
• Preparing plans for the purchase of supplies and equipment
• Following and enforcing the parent company’s procurement policies and procedures
• Reviewing, comparing, analyzing and approving products and services to be purchased
• Managing inventories and maintaining accurate purchase and pricing records
• Maintaining and updating supplier information such as qualifications, delivery, and product ranges
• Maintaining good supplier relationships and negotiating contracts
• Researching and evaluating prospective suppliers
• Preparing budgets, cost analyses, and reports

 

Administrative Assistant responsibilities:

• Serves as a customer liaison to assist with customer needs, issues or complaints; tracks customer complaints and coordinates responses to ensure timely turnaround.
• Assists in the development of the Retail Store Operations Guide (RSOG).  Compiles documentation of RSOG meetings; assists with implementation of RSOG procedures and policies.
• Compiles daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports through POS, Excel or other software.
• Provides ongoing administrative support for retail operations.
• Prepares and assists with set-up for retail meetings.
• Ensures that adequate and timely communication is maintained between the retail leadership team and any customer complaints or needs.
• Performs general clerical duties, including but not limited to implementing and maintaining a departmental filing system, sending faxes, e-mails, mail, and other office communication, making and distributing copies.

 

Marketing Assistant Responsibilities:

• compiling and distributing financial and statistical information such as budget spreadsheets
• analyzing questionnaires
• writing reports, company brochures and similar documents
• organizing and hosting presentations and customer visits
• assisting with promotional activities
• visiting customers/external agencies
• helping to organize market research.

 

Cashier Responsibilities:

• Manage transactions with customers using cash registers
• Scan goods and ensure pricing is accurate
• Collect payments whether in cash or credit
• Issue receipts, refunds, change or tickets
• Redeem stamps and coupons
• Cross-sell products and introduce new ones
• Resolve customer complaints, guide them and provide relevant information
• Greet customers when entering or leaving the store
• Maintain clean and tidy checkout areas
• Track transactions on balance sheets and report any discrepancies
• Bag, box or gift-wrap packages
• Handle merchandise returns and exchanges

 

Warehouse Staff Responsibilities:

• Prepare and complete orders for delivery or pickup according to schedule (load, pack, wrap, label, ship)
• Receive and process warehouse stock products (pick, unload, label, store)
• Perform inventory controls and keep quality standards high for audits
• Keep a clean and safe working environment and optimize space utilization
• Complete diary logs into inventory
• Report any discrepancies
• Communicate and cooperate with supervisors and coworkers
• Operate and maintain preventively warehouse vehicles and equipment
• Follow quality service standards and comply with procedures, rules and regulation

 

Financial Plan

The following financial plan incorporates a variety of variables including population growth in Jacksonville, Florida, competing grocery store companies, existing clients of competitors and the potential for economic challenges. Moreover, these projections have been conservatively developed and have incorporated all potential expenses. 

 

Pro Forma Income Statement

 

Pro Forma Cash Flow Statement

 

Pro Forma Balance Sheet