1. What are the inputs, process, output, and feedback/control for a grocery store such as Sobeys?

2. What are the operations decisions for running a grocery store such as So beys?

Sobeys Inc. is the second largest grocery store chain in Canada (the largest is Loblaw). Sobeys distinguishes itself from Loblaw by offering better quality fresh food and customer service. Sobeys grew out of Nova Scotia mostly through acquisition of other grocery chains. The integration of the latest acquisition, Safeway Canada (over 200 stores in Western Canada), has been challenging. Sobeys now owns 908 grocery stores and franchises 977 stores throughout Canada. Sobeys has revenues of over $24 billion and employs over 125,000 people. Sobeys is also a wholesaler to over 8,000 retail accounts. Sobeys has five different store sizes and formats, and uses them in each location based on market size and customer demographics.

There is the large full-service format (such as Sobeys, Sobeys extra, IGA extra, Safeway and Thrifty Foods); urban fresh format (such as So beys Urban Fresh and IGA in Quebec); small community format (such as Foodland, Marche Bonichoix, and Les Marches Tradition); discount format (such as FreshCo and Price Chopper); and convenience format (such as Needs Convenience and IGA express). Approximately 350 large full-service stores have in-store pharmacies. Sobeys also has a chain of 78 drugstores (Lawtons Drugs) in Atlantic Canada, over 300 retail gas stations, and 80 liquor stores.