Please read prompt thoroughly. All in text citations must include author and page number
Discussion Topic
This DB relates to LO’s 3, LO 4, and LO5 examining differences in customer preferences and comparing business models, and operational tactics, in merchandising.
For this DB, you’ll need to get out into your community to visit, analyze, and photograph a variety of retailers. I understand that different areas have different levels of retailers but the point of this DB is to show us all the “real world”.
The Oxford English dictionary describes “merchandising” as being “engaged in the trade or sale of goods… concerned with or relating to the promotion of goods and services”. Today we find retailers selling and promoting fashion merchandise in many places – online and in person, at national retailers that offer everything under one roof, and at highly curated specialty stores with only one physical location.
Go to four retailers in your area:
Multi-brand department store (for example: Macy’s, Dillards)
Specialty store (for example: The Gap, Bath and Body Works)
Mass (for example: Target, Costco)
Off-price (for example: TJMaxx, Home Goods, Burlington)
Identify each of the below for each retailer. Compare & contrast the stores to identify their purpose.
Channel of distribution (for example: department store/specialty store/mass)
Target consumer (brief description)
Style/price distinction (designer/bridge/contemporary, etc)
First impression: based on the store design and visual merchandising (general ambiance)
Competitive advantage (best qualities/features)
Omni-channel offerings (their e-com site, app & social media sales opportunities)
Operational policies employed by the retailer to entice and engage consumers.
Selfie inside store
