ELEMENTS OF DESIGN-COLOR

The color GRAY. A Moth pictured with a moth inspired fabric

Red Velvet Cake pictured with Red Velvet Dress

YELLOW- lemons with yellow sundress

WHITE- white rose with creme dress

PINK- Azaleas with Running shoes

GREEN: tree pictured with emerald green dress

BROWN- brown coffee mugs with Brown bag

ORANGE- oranges placed with orange cut out dress

BLUE- Blue BMW with Blue dress

BLACK- Black record placed with black stilettos

CREDITS:
Gray: sofashon.com/.../uploads/2007/10/dsc02484.jpg
www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/TephraeusPearly

RED: cemilanmata.wordpress.com/
marieclaire.com

YELLOW: wallpaper-s.org
smh.com.au

WHITE: www.myspace.com/nanahalima
tmz.com

PINK: thesun.co.uk
thedailygreen.com

GREEN: green.gps.caltech.edu
nscfashionnetwork.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_

BROWN: rubylane.com
designerplanet.org

ORANGE: chm.bris.ac.uk
batchplease.com

BLUE: dailymail.co.uk
bmw-pictures.blogspot.com

BLACK: academic.scranton.edu
thefashionpolice.net

Location, Location, Location!

The real reason for a companies success to me is the location of the store. What's a store without a location? If you don't have people, you don't have a store. RCS was learning the positive affects of location for a retail store, and it made me think of stores that I regularly go to. I asked myself why do I go to this one instead of another? Do I do this subconsciously? Then it hit me. It really is all about the LOCATION!

A store that I regularly go to is Walgreen's. I do not have any ties that would make it a deciding factor that I would drive just to a Walgreen's. This particular Walgreen's is right next to a CVS, which is equivalent. I really asked myself why I choose Walgreen's rather than the CVS? I could definatly understand why after thinking about it.

First, there are two ways of exiting the store unlike CVS which is a terror to get into let alone get out of. I didn't think this was such a big deal but Walgreen's is right next to a stop light which allows me to turn right rather than trying to have an accident by trying to dart across traffic like CVS.

Second, Walgreen's is so convenient for me to go to because it is close by. I like to be able to walk down the street to pick up a magazine if I wanted to. I like the option of the cross walk right by Walgreen's. I find this more of a safety aspect.

Third, I think Walgreen's has more selection and variety. I like the layout of the store. It is not overcrowded. I like drive-thru pharmacy as well. This is a major plus for me! Very convenient!

Retail is really all about location. After thinking about why I shop at the places I do I have come to realize that location is probably the first thing I think of now!


Photo By: Photobucket.com

Circuit City

Professionals are saying there is no mystery why Circuit City failed, but why is this so shocking. Time magazine says "a horrible economy, and poor customer spending played a small role" in the the reason why Circuit City closed it's doors. The number one reason? "Simply poor management" the time quoted.
Circuit City was one of the most successful electronic speciality stores in the 1980 and 1990s. After that time period the store never changed.
A main reason for the downward spiral may have been because of the failure to secure prime real estate. Most circuit City's were out of the way for consumers. A second reason may have been that Circuit City stopped selling appliances. A big success for competitor, Best Buy. Third, with new technology Circuit City just didn't keep up. Circuit City never did in store promotions with the newest technology like Apple and the IPod which Best Buy made huge profits from. The biggest mishap may have been the neglect of building up a website like Amazon.com or Best Buys user-friendly web page. With the new generation everything is based off online shopping. Circuit City did not keep up with the current times.
According to the Times, one of Circuit City's biggest downfalls was basic inventory management. The management didn't know how to move their inventory.Leaving all of the old merchandise in the stock but was unable to move in new products, which enables them to pay off the debt from all of the old merchandise. With all of the debt equals more debt until finally, bankrupt.
Another key issue that drove customers away was the decline in customer service. The company was said to have laid off its top hourly employees, and replaced them with workers that were payed less, losing focus of the customer and services, according to consumerist.com
I did take advantage of the discounted merchandise when Circuit City had it's Going Out of Business Closeout. I think it was the second time I have gone into a Circuit City, and now I know why I didn't go before!
CITES: *Times Magazine time.com
*Consumerists.com
Photos by: PhotoBucket.com

2nd Blog Repost GAP HISTORY

GAP was opened by Don and Doris Fisher with their first store in SAn Fransico, CA in 1969. The GAP was thought about when Mr. Fisher could not find a pair of jeans. He noticed trends throughout the city. HE notcied that there was a need of comfortable,cheap and durable clothing. This was his inspiration. The GAP was first opened as a record and jeans. All jeans especially Levi Strauss. Essentially the FIsher's had no prior retail expierence but after advertising in local papers that jeans were selling by the ton at rock bottom prices, the place became a hit.

The GAP continued to be all the rage through the 80's and 90s with a new president,Millard Drexler. After many ups and downs and changes to the company the GAP continues to be a successful retail store. THe brand now holds true to Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Baby Gap.
The GAP now has over 169,000 employees. The theory of never stop moving has helped the company stay afloat. The first international GAP store was opened in London in 1987. The GAP website was debuted in 1997.

Photo: photbucket.com

VALs Survey/Target Market

According to the VALs survey I was considered an Expierencer/Innovator. I do have to agree that the survey was accurate. I like to experience new things. Everything from the latest restaurant to seeing the newest movies. As far as the innovator part I would have to agree with as well. I like to be the one that wants the latest trends and newest technology. The survey did ask specific questions and it match me completely.
My group's target market was for Old Navy. We said that we thought it was from toddlers to adults in their late twenties/early thirties. As far as the "targeted person" I feel I might not sit in with the crowd that shops at Old Navy, just for the fact that it may not be as trend focused as Forever 21 or Nordstrom. Otherwise the innovator side of me wants to try to find something from the store! :-)


*photobucket.com

Favorite Retailor

My favorite retailor is GAP. Not only is it my workplace I also love it from a customers view. The store in general is usually pretty clean and organized. I can easily find what I am looking for. I also love how there are mannequins displaying outfits and the pieces to make the outfit are close by so I can copy that look. I find that while shopping everything is usually sized and organized.

The customer service is usually readily available. The employees are always there to help you or check availability at another store. I am always impressed by the prices and the 2 for deals that are always there. I find it easy to find a casual outfit or something quick to put together for work. The displays are always clear and easy to read. The lighting is efficent and the hardwood floors make it look clean and neat. I love shopping and working for GAP.

RCS-261

This is the new blog for RCS-261 Intro to Retailing!