Compare operations at Aldi ('operations in practice' short case on page 57 of prescribed textbook) with operations at any (South) African supermarket chain of your choice. (length: at least to 1 page) Applying the Operations objectives and Operations strategy principles

OPERATIONS IN PRACTICE Everyday low prices at Aldi Aldi is an international 'limited assortment' supermarket specializing in 'private label', mainly food products. It has carefully focused its service concept and delivery system to attract customers in a highly competitive market. The company believes that its unique approach to operations management makes it 'virtually impossible for competitors to match our combination of price and quality'. And it has proved especially successful in meeting the increas Your fresh NEW Aldi is COMING SOON Welcome to akih may disinten ingly price-conscious behaviour of customers. How has it done this? By chal- lenging the norms of retail operations. Its operations are kept deliberately simple, using basic facilities to keep down over- heads. Most stores stock only a limited range of goods prices can be 30 per cent below their branded equivalents. (typically around 700 compared with 25,000 to 30,000 Other cost-saving practices include open-carton displays, stocked by conventional supermarket chains). The private which eliminate the need for special shelving, no grocery label approach means that the products have been produced bags to encourage recycling as well as saving costs, multiple according to Aldi quality specifications and are only sold in bar codes on packages (to speed up scanning) and using a Aldi stores. Without the high costs of brand marketing and 'cart rental system which requires customers to return the advertising, and with Aldi's formidable purchasing power, cart to the store to get their coin deposit back.