Archives tagged: retail

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Sony Initiates Standards War in e-Readers

By Tim J. Smith, PhD April 5, 2010

In the last weeks of March 2010, just before the media hoopla hit a crescendo on the release of the first Apple iPad, Sony took a shot to establish a more tenable position within the e-Reader market by dropping the price on the Sony Pocket Reader to $169. Is this the beginning of a standards war or a last ditch attempt to move units before Sony finds itself left in the wake of the Apple iPad?

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Getting Pricing Right – Nordstrom vs. Abercrombie & Fitch

By Tim J. Smith, PhD March 4, 2010

The recession has tested even the most resilient business model. Through it, Nordstrom has glowed while Abercrombie & Fitch glowered. What caused the disparity in performance between these two strong firms? Their pricing strategies.

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IPad Has All the Ingredients for a Classic Marketing Blunder

By James T. Berger February 11, 2010

Fresh from its fabulous success with the iPod and iPhone, Steve Jobs has unveiled the latest in Apple’s “iPortfolio,” the iPad. Amid all the hoopla of a major media unveiling, there are some obvious elements of a classic marketing mistake.

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Price War Breaks Out in Online Books: How to End It

By Tim J. Smith, PhD November 8, 2009

In late October, Wal-Mart kicked off the most devastating book price war in a decade by selling its 10 most anticipated hardbacks for $10 a piece when pre-ordered online. Hours later, Amazon picked up the gauntlet and declared a defensive stance with matching prices. Wal-Mart lunged back on the offensive with a price cut to $9. Within a day, Amazon responded with a Prise de Fer by also moving to $9. The war is on. Read how it must end.

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Marketers May Find Gold on the Old Brand Junk Heap

By James T. Berger October 7, 2009

What do International Harvester, Fisher Body, Howard Johnson’s, E.F. Hutton, Mr. Donut, Statler Hotels, McCall’s and Marshall Field’s have in common? They are all magical brands of the past that sit on the junk heap of dead brands. Like products and product categories, brands follow a life cycle and eventually decline into oblivion. However, in some cases death may not be permanent and resurrection may be possible.

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Hip, Hip, Hooray, the Recession Is Over … Long Live the (Weak) Recovery

By Tim J. Smith, PhD October 7, 2009

By most indicators, the major economies of the world are coming out of the deepest global recession a lifetime. Yet, the recovery is far from a return to pre-recessionary trends. Executives might be hoping for return to strong growth, yet most of should expect a tepid climate at best. How should they react? Read on.

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Product Variety Management and Sales Volume

By Tim J. Smith, PhD July 23, 2009

Choice is good, more choice is better … or is it? Is it always better to offer customers more choices, or should companies restrict the choices available to customers in some situations?

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Is Starbucks in an Existential Wilderness?

By Tim J. Smith, PhD April 1, 2009

What is Starbucks? Is it a momentary retreat from the stress of work and life? Is it a fast-service coffee chain? Is it a snack shop? Is it a luxury coffee manufacturer? What is Starbucks reason for existence?

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Recession Takes Toll on Brand Values

By James T. Berger April 1, 2009

If you want to see the winners and losers in the current economic downturn, look closely at the 2008 brand valuation numbers produced jointly by Interbrand and Business Week Magazine. Companies suffering on the stock exchange are also taking a beating the calculated value of their brands. Those in distressed industries that are holding their own in sales and profits are likewise holding their own in brand value. New growth companies are picking up the slack and are moving into ever higher positions on the brand valuation scale.

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Are you trustworthy?

By Tim J. Smith, PhD February 1, 2009

Do you act authentically for your brand? Honestly…sincerely? And importantly, does what you do instill consumer confidence?

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