英语翻译

AlbertsonshasalreadylostsignificantmarketsharestoWal-MartSupercentersinvariouspartsofthecountry,includingBoise,whereAlbertsonsheadquartersarelocated.Between2000,whenWal-MartcametoBoise,and2004,Albertsonssawitsmarketsharedropfrom65to39percent,withnearlyallofthelossbenefitingWal-Mart.Wal-Mart’sNeighborhoodMarketsarestrengthenedbythesamelowpricesandpowerfulsupplychainthatmakethecompany’sSupercentersaseeminglyunstoppableforce.Otherthanself-servicecheckoutstations,theNeighborhoodMarketsaredecidedlyno-frillsincomparisontotheaverageAlbertsonsstore,whichoftenhasitsownbutcher,baker,andgourmetcoffeebar.Albertsonsisbettingthataspecialized,customized,andtechnologicallyadvancedshoppingexperiencewillbeappealingenoughtokeepcustomersfromtheallureofWal-Mart’slowerpricesandsimplepresentation.Itisnotasurebet.

AlbertsonsmaynotbeabletobeatWal-Martconsistentlyonpricebutitmustcomecloserthaninthepast.AlbertsonscanalsouseitsloyaltycardprogramtoobtainmorepreciseinformationaboutindividualcustomersandofferproductsthattheymightnotfindonWal-Martshelves.Albertsonshasthefinancialbackingtocontinueinvestingheavilyinadvancedinformationtechnology,anditisfortifiedbystrongchainsofdrugstores,whichtendtoseegreaterprofitmarginsthangrocerystores.ThecompanyhasrecentlyjoinedWal-Martinrequiring(byApril2005)itssupplierstouseradio-frequencyidentification(RFID)tagsonallproductshipments.TheuseofRFIDwillincreaseAlbertsons’abilitytomanageitssupplychainmoreprecisely.Additionally,AlbertsonsstoreshavefaredwellinurbanmarketswhereWal-Marthasstruggled.Overall,however,Wal-Marthassetthebarveryhigh.Albertsonsremainsconvincedthatitcansoartogreaterheights.