BLOG 5

I went to the CVS on spring garden which is my favorite pharmacy. There are really not that many different companies of pharmacies. There are three main big ones CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. There are many advantages and disadvantages of the location and the store. One of the disadvantages is that where it is location it is hard to get across traffic because of how close the traffic light is to the entrance. Another disadvantage is the fact that there is Walgreens right down the street,  but this is the case for the most a lot of pharmacy they have a few of them close to each other. Because it is very close to UNCG and close to many student housing apartments, the location is key for all of the students. It can be an advantage though because a lot of people have brand loyalty so they will just go the there favorite one anyways. I will only go to CVS, I don't know why but I just like CVS. I am sure I'm not the only one who has a preference. The parking situation is limited, there are probably only ten spots and for the size of the store it is not very beneficial.

261 Background on favorite retailer

Because Saks fifth avenue is my favorite retailer, I researched the companies background.

When researching  I found out that it opened in 1924 as a joint venture between Horace Saks & Co. and Bernard Gimbel of Gimbel Bros. Saks is made to target upscale costumers, it was the first specialty store to expand across the nation. One of the main primary age groups is women 35-55 with plenty of disposable income. (About 80% of the costumers are women) Saks headquarters is in New York City along with there flagship store. Nearly 20% of the entires chains annual revenue. There main competitors are Barneys, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's.  Saks has 98 stores located in the United States which include the Off 5th locations which are the Saks outlets. Saks stores are usually only located in or right outside a major city with high income areas.

Target Markets in Retail Stores

For our third blog we were supposed to due some research on target markets for retail stores as well as take the VAL survey. The VAL link says they divide the consumers up into 8 different segments which has to do with where they shop.  The 8 segments are Innovators, Thinkers, Achievers, experience rs, Believers, Strivers, and Makers. It states that the primary motivation is that Consumers buy products and services and seek experiences that fulfill their characteristic preferences and give shape, substance, and satisfaction to their lives. When I took the quiz my primary was experiencer and my secondary was innovator. I guess the primary is true I am an experiencer I get bored easily and I always want to try new things. I am the same way with my buying habits I dont just shop at one store I like to change up my purchasing styles. The target person we did on tuesday was a earthy crunchy consumer middle aged women, which was a good target store for REI.

Failed Retailers

For our forth blog we were supposed to close one of the retailers that failed. I chose Circuit City. Their biggest competitors were Best Buy and Walmart.  I think one of the biggest problems with Circuit city was they didn't offer as good service as Best Buy and the prices weren't as good as walmarts so they got pushed out.  In my experience I would go and there would be nobody to help me with my questions or to go to the back and grab items from that back. While at best buy as soon as you walk in there are people waiting at the door waiting to help you and direct your needs. While with Walmart they have less expensive prices and have alot other items than electronics so it brings in more customer traffic.

CRS 261- First journal favorite retailer

Favorite retailer: Saks Fifth Avenue 

Ever since I can remember my Dad and I  would go to Saks in Boston every year after Christmas for the after Christmas sale. Usually the sale would be up to 70% off, I would usually get a new pair of designer jeans and my dad would get a nice pair of leather dress shoes. Over the years I have never had a bad experience. There are 4 main high end retailers that have alot the same stuff they are  Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, and Nordstroms. I have shopped many times at all of these stores because coming from MA, I have the higher end options closer to me rather than in NC you have to travel further.

There are many reasons why I chose Saks as my favorite retailer.  The first is I love the costumer service they offer, whenever I'm there even if it is just on sale items they help me go threw the racks and help me find sizes and colors. Also the sales people aren't rude and stuck up, at the other high end retails the sales people act like there special because they work there and aren't very helpful. Also the sales are alot better because the mark down items are usually an additional 50% off. Thirdly the store itself I just like the way the layout of the store is set up. I find it the it easiest to find things you are looking for. Most of the high end retailers all have alot of the same brands, but the amount of assortment is defiantly not the same. Saks defiantly has the best.

Week 2-Organic Clothing

There are so many stores now days that sell disposable fashion to young girls. These clothes aren't made to last there just made cheap and just for a few wearing. I have noticed though stores like H&M and forever 21 have been using environmentally friendly cottons. While at Drexel University last year we attended a presentation all about environmentally friendly clothing and the fact that our society likes clothes for quantity not quality. She did a poll and people said they would pay more money for clothes if the quality was better. People need to do with less clothes then there would be less pollution in the air by producing less clothes.

Week 1 Blog- Favorite Designer

My favorite Designer I would have to say is Marc Jacobs. I'm sure alot of people said the same thing but I really do like his work. I love the fact that he has been so successful that he has been able to produce a cheaper line Marc by Marc Jacobs which is a little more affordable and more practical to wear on a normal day basis. One of my favorite things he has in the Marc By Marc Jacobs store is that he affordable cute little items that the normal folk can purchase. For example he has dollar key chains, five dollar compact mirrors, and many more fabulous items. I also appreciate how he every seasons comes out with a tee shirt with a famous celebrity supporting a good cause for ex. Victoria Beckham against skin cancer.  Marc every seasons line is really different from another yet I can always tell its his stuff in the stores without looking at labels. Marc Jacobs is my favorite designer.