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Online retailers need to re-look at their consumer.

December 10, 2008

Analysis of:Online Retailers Dangle Free Shipping, Discounts | online.wsj.com

Online retail is a by product of social change. The process of retailing has undergone a sea change in the buying / selling process - a path that is now under very close scrutiny of marketers.

Keeping it fresh........a new perspective.

September 29, 2008

Analysis of:Wal-Mart , analysts say tighter focus on existing stores paying off | www.nwanews.com

This is a truism. A tome. In retail, keeping it fresh counts. Critically. For years, the power of merchandising - visually and branding, have had one target - keeping it fresh in the consumers mind.

Opportunity in despair....

June 30, 2008

Analysis of: Supermarkets to battle on prices | news.bbc.co.uk

Retail is driven by price. Product is the medium and its form, movement and impact depend upon the economy. There are all kinds of formats in retail. A subtle but distinct differential distinguishes one from the other, successfully, when all things remain equal. Unequally, the economy persists and formats fail. Thus you see, that when the consumer price index (CPI) rises by 3.3 % in May, up from 3 % in April, just .3 % can result in prices of milk, cheese, eggs going up by 17 % over the year ! When the basics get impacted this way, the rest flounder.

Profits online.............

June 18, 2008

Analysis of: Online shopping 'defies slowdown' | news.bbc.co.uk

On line is a convenience arena. Globally, this tribe ( of consumers ) will only keep on increasing as the age groups that follow ( 2-6 ), ( 6-14 ), ( 14-21 ) will spend a significant amount of time on the net, through work and off it. This ( time spent ) will impact their purchase pattern. 

Re-tail or get Sear - ed !

March 19, 2008

Analysis of:Sears launches new effort to boost image, low sales | www.prweekus.com

It is rightly said that a retail business is half about its administration- micro efficiency - to be able to weed out growth areas therein. Micro retailing is not only about great systems. The results are even better when operations are run by a great team, a la, Container Store model. The larger issue is ( as highlighted by Nicholas White ) is one of being a poor retailer. The tome of retail, when overlooked, leads to the blackhole ( as underscored brilliantly by WILLARD.N.ANDER AND NEIL.Z.STERN ). And yet, retailers get lost in the maze !

Retail forms and some answers...

January 15, 2008

Analysis of:Retailers pick 2008 trends | www.kansascity.com

On line portals are destined to grow...particularly those which provide instant gratification. Convenience products and services which meet this requirement can grow. The other area of growth is that of "information". The act of selling across the counter will continue for all time to come. A consumer dons various "hats" during the course of the day and travels from one point to another, a path filled by retail, meeting one need or another.

The premise of discounts.........

December 28, 2007

Analysis of:Shoppers Flock to Stores as J.C. Penney, Sears Offer Discounts | www.bloomberg.com

The key word here is "Troubled Retailers". Retail, especially sharp retail is more likely to reap rewards, unless of course, the market swings wean business away from one sector to another. The premise in retail is also the ability to earn across the range sold. A narrow range of products allow more focus,better margins ,and a safety net as opposed to a very wide product basket where the exposure to market elements is higher and the spread thin for margins.

Taking the bull by its horns..........

December 10, 2007

Analysis of:Vera Wang Set to Dress Up Kohl's | online.wsj.com

First things first. Will a big name suffice for driving business? The answer lies in the question. The name got bigger because it served a specific purpose in the consumers mind driving satisfaction.

Displacing a titan ( HMT ) and some more lessons....

October 4, 2007

Analysis of:Titan sees net profit up 50 pct in FY08 | in.reuters.com

Bijou Kurien the former CEO of Titan displaced more things than one when he launched TITAN. In the process ( of capturing space in the consumers mind a la Al Ries and Jack Trout ) he ensured the following on the product : relevance, being contemporary, access, information, fashion. He piggy banked on the trust of brand TATA to ensure trust whilst bringing in change, penetrated the market pan India ensuring availability whilst showcasing the range through stand alone stores. In doing all this all this he also ensured affordability without diluting quality. The brand today stands at the edge of 'fashion' as understood in wholesome terms and has added a jewel on the fashion ladder by bringing in'Tanishq'.

Beyond diamonds.

September 26, 2007

Analysis of:China, India's Boom Leads Sparkling Diamond Industry | www.diamonds.net

The growth in economies of China and India, are reflective of consumption, growing rapidly due to an explosive product basket ( and services ) resulting in a large consumer base, at their contemporary best in terms of attitiude, spunk, ability. At the top of its ladder, diamonds will retain a special allure. Diamonds, gold will retain their attraction as an instrument of savings to a large consumer base in India ( over 40 years ) but will reflect a totally different usage in consumers ( below 40 years ) where the product basket ( lifestyle / accessories ) will find significant consumer spend levels.

Retail crunch, Wal-Mart or otherwise.

September 4, 2007

Analysis of:How To Fix Wal-Mart? Ask Its Managers | money.aol.com

At the end of the day, a retail company is as similar to any other in business, faced with increasing demand from stake holders to show efficiency and better returns. However the power of retail lies in the direct interface area where the consumer shops and staff service. Consumer understanding, staff empowerment and rewards for a participative process would be critical to ensure an intelligent mix of products. Success here would be dependant on the ability of systems geared to indicate not just the skew in inventory against sales but also reflect the 'market mood' as at the time of operation. The 'market sensor software' would play an important role in confirming inventory alignment thereby fine tuning the retail exercise of forecasting.

Luxury brands - Ford stable.

August 27, 2007

Analysis of:If everyone has one, do you still want one? | www.canada.com

Consumers of luxury products universally perceive a product through a select prism which defines anything accessible as untouchable. A stable manufacturing both 'untouchable' and luxury products erodes itself. A consumer in Brunei would look at such products with as much disdain as his counterpart in N.Y. Luxury is a sacred cow.

Coach : Retaining growth trajectory.

August 21, 2007

Analysis of:Coach Q4 2006 Earnings Conference Call Transcript (COH) | retail.seekingalpha.com

New fashion platforms are critical to the growth of successful fashion brands, to be able to retain a permanent footprint in the consumers mind. The brand asserts its capabilities  of keeping the consumer contemporary, even ahead of time. To be distinct though is even more important. This will drive value and growth. The fundementals of manufacturing power and sourcing notwithstanding, new distinct platforms driven by innovation will ensure longevity for the brand. And growth.

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