Friday, March 20, 2009

Blog 5

-Go to a grocery store, pharmacy or convenience store and based on the class discussions on retail location and retail site location - identity under what category does this particular retailer fall.
-State the advantages and disadvantages that you see for that particular store - parking, pedestrian traffic, etc. and conduct a location analysis.
-Do you think its a good location? If not, what location would be suitable?

I went to the convenience store/Shell gas station on Battleground Road. It falls under the convenience category.
Advantages:
1. It is located on Battleground, a very busy road. This is good for attracting business.
2.It is a well lit place
3.The brand Shell is well known for gas and usually has decent gas prices.
Disadvantages:
1. You cant take a right turn out of it
2.Because of all of the traffic there are sometimes lines waiting to get gas

-This location is placed in a good area for the company and they should probably open up more shells in busy places such as they have on Battleground but, maybe not so good of a location for the customers wanting to frequent there. I would imagine it does really good buisness at all times of the day because of the multiple stores, restraunts and buisneses surrounding it.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Sharper Image A failure

Your job is to simply analyze why do you think the retailer failed:
Sharper Image:

I think that there are many reasons that The Sharper Image had to file for bankruptcy for many different reasons.

1. They offer products that are not nescessary, the items that they carry are luxrey items or random gadgets.
2. Price, the price of most all goods in that store are very expensive, during this economy with people loosing their jobs and prices rising of gas etc. the general population aren't able to spend money on these not-nescessary items.
3.People can't barely keep their houses and the housing market is terrible so it doesn't make since for them to be buying household items such as $100.00 alarm clocks and expensive massage beds and chairs for their homes.
4.Management changes: "Sales have simply failed to normalize given the sustained pressure on the company's two core product categories, air purifiers and massage chairs, while macroeconomic pressures have heightened the challenges for the company," he wrote. "The series of management changes over the last couple of years have not stopped the company's poor fundamental performance nor have they materialized in significant strategic changes."(cnbc).
5."lousy sales and getting the pants sued off it due to its useless Ionic Breeze "air purifiers," these are tough days for the retailer."(Gizmodo).




http://gizmodo.com/358622/sharper-image-files-for-bankruptcy-youll-need-to-go-elsewhere-to-try-out-a-massage-recliner

http://www.cnbc.com/id/23252484

Friday, February 13, 2009

Blog # 3

When taking the VALS survey my results said that I was an
Experiencer/Striver,your secondary type is Striver.


"Experiencers are motivated by self-expression. As young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities.
Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff."


I believe that the second part about spending more money on fashion, entertainment and socializing is very true however the first part about finding energy in exercise, sports, and outdoor recreation is not true to me however it is true to the REI group that we described in class.

http://www.sric-bi.com/VALS/types.shtml
http://www.sric-bi.com/VALS/presurvey.shtml

Thursday, February 5, 2009

About Target

Mission:
As mentioned before my favorite retailer is Target. Their “mission is to make Target the preferred shopping destination for our guests by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and an exceptional guest experience by consistently fulfilling our Expect More. Pay Less.® brand promise”.

To support our mission, we are guided by our commitments to great value, the community, diversity and the environment.”

Timeline for Target & About Target:
“George D. Dayton opens Goodfellows in downtown Minneapolis.
1903
Dayton Dry Goods Company is founded. In 1911 it becomes The Dayton Company.
1909
Dayton Dry Goods Company makes its first recorded gift to the Associated Charities of Minneapolis, today known as the United Way. In 1960, The Dayton Company begins the practice of annual team member fundraising drives for the United Way.
1918
The Dayton Foundation is created with a $1 million endowment. In 1969 it is renamed The Dayton Hudson Foundation and in 2000 is renamed the Target Foundation.
1924
George Draper Dayton brings Goodwill Industries to Minneapolis and becomes a founding director.
1946
The Dayton Company’s bylaws establish the practice of giving 5% of pretax profits to the community. It’s the second American company to establish a preset amount of annual giving in its bylaws.
The Dayton Company enters mass market discount merchandising with the opening of its first Target store in Roseville, Minnesota on May 1.
1967
The Dayton Corporation is formed and has its first public offering of common stock.
1968 New Bullseye
The Target bullseye logo is redesigned to its current appearance.
1969
The Dayton Corporation and The J. L. Hudson Company of Detroit, Michigan merge, forming the Dayton Hudson Corporation.
1970
Target observes the very first Earth Day by supporting team member volunteers who plant trees and clean parks.
Target introduces uniform “plan-o-grams” to plan the layout and placement of store interiors and products. The result is a consistent guest experience throughout the chain.
1975

Target becomes parent company Dayton Hudson Corporation’s leading revenue-producer.
1978
The Dayton Hudson Corporation acquires Mervyn’s and becomes the 7th largest U.S. retailer.
1979 1billion
Target stores reach $1 billion in annual sales.
1983
President Reagan awards the Dayton Hudson Foundation the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities Medal of Honor.
1985 Circular
The weekly Target stores advertising circular becomes America’s second-most-read newspaper insert after the Sunday comics.
1987 Checkout
Electronic point of sale scanning at checkout is in place at all Target stores.
1989
Target sponsors Will Steger and the Trans-Antarctica Expedition to call attention to environmental issues.
1989 Racing
Target and Chip Ganassi team up to form Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
1990
The Dayton Hudson Corporation acquires Marshall Field's department stores.
1995 Credit Card
Target stores introduce its first store credit card. In 2001 the Target® Visa® is introduced. Today, all are part of the REDcardSM family of products.
1995 Supertarget
The first SuperTarget® store opens in Omaha, Nebraska.1995
1995 Club Wedd
Target launches Club Wedd® bridal registry. A year later, Lullaby Club® baby gift registry is introduced, which is renamed Target BabySM in 2002.
1997
The Target Good Neighbor volunteer program, now called Target Volunteers, receives the President’s Service Award from President Clinton, the highest national honor given for corporate volunteer efforts.
Take Charge of Education® is introduced, which allows guests to donate up to 1% of REDcard purchases to a K-12 school of their choice.
1999
Target House® opens in Memphis, Tennessee, providing long-term housing for families of children receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
1999
Target launches Target.com, introduces its first GiftCards and, as part of the innovative Sign of the Times branding campaign, debuts its mascot, Bullseye, the Target dog.
1999 Michael Graves
Target introduces its first designer line of products from world-renowned architect Michael Graves.
2000
The Dayton Hudson Corporation is renamed Target Corporation.
2000 Target.Com
The Target weekly ad makes its debut on Target.com.
Target launches a partnership with America’s Second Harvest —The Nation's Food Bank
Network— to donate our overstock grocery items. In 2005, Target donates more than 3.3 million pounds of food that results in 2.6 million meals to those in need.
2002
Target introduces its first limited-time-only pop-up store, Target Boat, in New York harbor.
2004
Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s are sold.
2004 Salute To Greatness
Target is honored with the “Salute to Greatness Award” by the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
2004
Safe City is introduced, a community-based initiative uniting businesses, residents, city officials and law enforcement to maximize safeness and minimize crimes in communities Target serves.
2005
Target Corporation ranks among the top 20 corporate contributors in the nation, giving $2 million each week to the communities it serves. Target also celebrates reaching the $50 billion mark in annual sales.
2005 Clear Rx
Target introduces its innovative ClearRXSM pharmacy system.
2006
Target Corporation reaches a historic landmark of $1 billion in total giving from 1902-
2006
Continuing its long-standing commitment to protecting the environment, Target introduces a GiftCard made from a biodegradable, corn-based bioplastic product.
2006
GO International® launches, featuring sought-after fashion designers from around
the globe. Beginning with Luella Bartley, each designer’s exclusive line for Target is featured for a limited time only.
2006 Target Carts
Exclusive, new Target shopping carts and baskets debut in stores around the country.
2007 Archer
Archer Farms® products, originally introduced at SuperTarget in 1995, become available for purchase for the first time outside Target stores and Target.com, on Virgin America Airlines Flights.
2007
The Target Check CardSM is introduced.2008 Converse
Converse® One Star®, a new and innovative collection of vintage-inspired clothing and footwear, debuts at Target.
2008
In May, Target sells an undivided interest in approximately 47 percent of credit card receivables to JPMorgan Chase.
2008 Indy 500
Team Target Indy Car driver Scott Dixon wins the Indianapolis 500.”

Stores:
“The first Target store opened in Roseville, Minnesota, in 1962. Its trendy merchandise at affordable prices launched a new era in discount retailing. This “T-1” store was easy to shop, attractive and always clean. It served as the prototype for every Target store opened since then, and it changed how consumers think about discount shopping.
Today, Target operates more than 1,600 stores in 47 states, including more than 200 SuperTarget® stores that include an upscale grocery shopping experience. In addition to the photo processing centers, pharmacies and Food Avenue® restaurants found in almost every Target, SuperTarget stores include in-store bakery, deli, meat and produce sections.”

http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031761

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Favorite Retailer

Your favorite retailer and 5 reasons why you prefer this retailer over the others:

My favorite retailer at the time would be Target. I like Target because they have a wide variety of items, they carry fashionable clothes, it's easy to find prices if you are unclear, Targets can be located easily and they provide a food service as in addition to being a store.
Target is a place that you can run into whenever you need something without having to go to multiple stores. Target offers men, womens and children's clothing and accesories, electronics, personal care, home goods, food,and much more. Not only do they have a wide variety of products to choose from but, within the product category itself they have a few different brands that you can choose from.
Another reason it has recently become one of my favorite retailers is it's fashionable clothes. Many years ago I would have never thought of ever buying any clothing at Target but, recently within the past years they have done a very good job of promoting there fashionable clothes, this struck my eye and I had to have a look. When looking around I found that Target offered many cute, current and stylish clothing which can be purchaced for a reasonable price. Not only do they just have everyday clothes they also carry accesories, hoisery and shoes. Having these current trends and basics at the tip of your finger is very helpful especially if you need something at the last moment.
The scanners on the outside of the isles also is one of my all time favorite additions to a store, it allows you if your unsure of the price to scan it yourself in order to find a price if unsure.
Target is also conviently located quite close to many places. I live in Greensboro and can get to at least two Targets within 5-10 mins. Most often Target is located in a shopping center with other shops of the same type Target market but, different items such as Michaels, Pier One, Ross etc. this makes one stop shopping very easy and enjoyable.
The last reason Target is one of my favorite retailers is the fact that they offer a food service. This I find is good for multiple reasons. I work at Michaels Arts and Crafts and Target being located close by really helps me out because whenever i get a lunch break I am able to walk to Target and get lunch instead of having to pack it or drive far away to get food in the little time I have. Not only do they offer there own foods such as hot dogs, sandwiches, Nachos etc. but, they also carry Pizza Hut products such as pizza and bread sticks. Some but,not all also have Starbucks located in them if you need a last minute jolt!