$***$Please read 'Blue Apron: Disruption in the U$.$S$.$ Food Industry?$\text{'}$ to answer the following questions in full.$***$

$****$Please number each answer for each question that is being answered so I am not confused which answer is for what.$****$

$*****$THERE ARE MULTIPLE PARTS TO ALL $3$ QUESTIONS.$*****$

The questions are below:

$1.$ Describe Blue Apron$$s business model and key activities. Your answer should $(1)$

describe its value proposition; $(2)$ briefly define its targeted customer segments;

$(3)$ describe its revenue model; $(4)$ highlight its approach to customer relations;

$(4)$ profile key activities of the firm $($refers to the most important tasks a firm must

conduct to accomplish its business purpose$)$; and $(5)$ identify it cost drivers. Note:

Cost drivers are activities that consume a firm$$s financial resources. A firm may

opt for either a cost$-$driven or a value$-$driven business model, depending on its

emphasis on efficiency. In the cost$-$driven model, the focus is on enhancing

efficiency and minimizing costs. In a value$-$driven business model, the focus is on

maximizing value for customers.

$2.$ Explain the drivers for the initial success, then identify its mistakes. Was Blue

Apron$$s growth trajectory responsible for its failure? Why or why not?

$3.$ Conduct a strategic group analysis for Blue Apron and identify its major

competitors. Note: A strategic group refers to a group of firms that use similar

strategies to compete in a market space. When a new business model, strategy or

product is adopted, a firm is said to have created a new strategic group. To

conduct a strategic group analysis, plot the two dimensions on which the firm is

competing $$ one corresponding to the X$-$axis and the other corresponding to the

Y$-$axis. In the case of Blue Apron, prepared food versus unprepared food is the X$-$

axis and less convenient versus more convenient is the Y$-$axis. The two axes form

four quadrants. Identify firms in each quadrant. Based on this analysis, who are

Blue Apron$$s major competitors?