Food Retail Expansion to Support Health - Research Proposal Example

The paper “Food Retail Expansion to Support Health" is an inspiring example of a research proposal on management. This is a major project proposal for the expansion of ofUnity retail stores, which stock fresh vegetables and fruits. We currently own three main stores that are located in a small community with a population of approximately 5,000 total residents. As the project manager, I have been assigned a task to draft a major project proposal for expanding the retail store either within this community or the adjacent community.

Due to the high demand for fresh fruits and vegetables within the same community, I prefer to create more stores within the same community. Project Rationale A survey carried out in this community indicates that many low- and moderate-income families and individuals are underserved by fresh fruits and vegetable grocery stores. This project proposal is, therefore, focused on creating more retail stores that will ensure a full-time supply of all types of fresh fruits and vegetables. The proposed action will ensure that new stores are located in regions that are most underserved within this community.

Expansion of retail stores in underserved regions will ensure that local residents have equitable access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which will, in turn, improve their health status and earn the business more revenue (Gray & Larson, 2011). Goal Definition - The main aim of this project is to ensure that the local residents of this community have equitable access to fresh fruits and vegetables through our retail stores. - To improve the health status of the local residents. - Improve sales.

- To be the leading supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables within this community. The high demand for fresh fruits and vegetables in this community offers us the opportunity to access a ready market for fresh fruits and vegetables. Though this community is small with a low population, there are some areas that are more underserved than others. It is, therefore, necessary to set up new retail stores in underserved areas, as this will ensure that there is an equitable supply of fresh vegetables in all regions (Kerzner, 2004).

Increased number of retail stores will also lead to increased sales, thus increasing profit returns for this business. Objective Definition Creating more stores, especially, in underserved areas will significantly increase sales, which will also lead to high-profit returns. This will provide the business with additional income and resources to expand its business operations in the neighboring communities (Gray & Larson, 2011). Fresh fruits and vegetable are perishable products that require immediate sales and consumption.

With several stores, it will be possible for the business to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits, and sale them within the same day. This will reduce losses incurred due to fresh products getting spoilt. Timeline and Budget This project requires a maximum timeline of four months in order to get fully implemented. Any inevitable change during the implementation process will also be considered and reviewed. Resources Required Four new stores, twenty new employees, timber, cement, shopping baskets, packing bags, one new pickup, four refrigerators.

Budget Item, quantity \ Cost:New stores (Rental) 4\ $520 per monthRefrigerators 4 \ $880Pickup 1 \ $12000Timber 10 \ $1300Cement 9 \ $90Shopping baskets 50 \ $64Packing bags  500 \ $40New employees 20 * $18 per day \ $360 per day Risk Analysis Some of the major risks the business will incur include high costs associated with selling fresh fruits and vegetables. These goods are perishable, and this means that they easily go rancid. Starting up a new store will, therefore, require an approximated cost for the products.

This will affect the planned budget by either under- or over-estimating it (Lock, 2007). The ever-changing government policy, for example, zoning resolution may lead to the establishment of the stores in areas with the least population. This will likely to reduce the number of sales, as it was initially estimated. A risk assessment will continuously be monitored, through the business’ operation outcomes, and analysis of the risks which are predicted to occur prior to the start of the business (Cleland & Ireland, 2006).

Initial risk assessment tool will be used to predict risks that are likely to occur before the implementation of the project. Therefore, mitigation approaches should be agreed upon by project leaders, and enough time should be allocated for the committee to identify new risks and discuss mitigation strategies (Cleland & Ireland, 2006).