Verified Document

Market Segmentation And Product Positioning: Research Paper

"With the loss of jobs, additional money that people used to care for their horses has gone down...You have to feed your family before you feed your horses" (Powers 2009). The availability of second-hand goods will be helpful to address this issue. On the other hand, one of the most untouched segments by the recession was that of high-end, luxury goods. Consumers who do not primarily live off of their salaries as less impacted by the upturns and downturns of the unemployment rate, and the stock market has been less affected than employment by current economic figures. They will have more money to buy customized saddles and to pursue their hobby. Weaknesses

The market for horse items is very specific, and not all areas of the country have high levels of equestrian participation. Additionally, there is a great deal of loyalty amongst brands because of the 'traditionalism' of the market. Finally, the brand would be geared more towards riders and showing than people who keep their own farms, as these individuals might be more inclined to patronize stores that focused on ranch rather than riding supplies. This focus on custom saddles and apparel could miss a market segment of horse owners that kept horses mainly on-property, as part of farms rather than focused on the sport of riding.

Opportunities

The online market has turned people on to buying second-hand gear of all kinds more than ever before, as manifested in the popularity of eBay. The store could sell second-hand as well as new products online, while still honing its 'brick and mortar' customized business. Few stores offer both second-hand and customized merchandise. There are customized tack merchants and some second-hand retailers online, but few combine the two services.

Threats

The Dover and Miller stores are already well-reputed amongst riders for their high quality tack and...

They offer a small selection of used saddles. The new store would have to craft a reputation for high quality by hiring excellent craftsmen and a wider-variety of the second-hand saddles.
Describe the market position for your product and service

This product and service attempts to straddle both the high-end and low-end aspects of the equestrian profession, as a way of hedging risk in an uncertain market "As more people find themselves unemployed, luxuries such as horseback riding are among the first expenses to go...Even those who have stayed committed to equestrian sports are now looking for ways to cut back on the price of upkeep and the cost of competitive horse showing" (Powers 2009). Second-hand clothing caters to passionate equestrians thinking of scaling back slightly.

However, the customization service also 'corners the market' in the form of higher-end riders who have more money to spend on their hobby. This is important, given the relative durability of the high-end market. "The rich are again buying designer clothing, luxury cars and about anything that catches their fancy. Luxury goods stores, which fared much worse than other retailers in the recession, are more than recovering -- they are zooming" (Clifford 20011). The unique marching of consignment apparel and customization would encompass both economic ends of the niche market of horseback riders.

References

Clifford, Stephanie. (2011). Even marked up, luxury goods fly off shelves. The New York Times.

Retrieved October 21, 2011 at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/business/sales-of-luxury-goods-are-recovering-strongly.html

Powers, Martine. (2009). Horse farms and riders tighten their belts. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Retrieved October 21, 2011 at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09186/981426-51.stm

Sources used in this document:
References

Clifford, Stephanie. (2011). Even marked up, luxury goods fly off shelves. The New York Times.

Retrieved October 21, 2011 at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/business/sales-of-luxury-goods-are-recovering-strongly.html

Powers, Martine. (2009). Horse farms and riders tighten their belts. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Retrieved October 21, 2011 at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09186/981426-51.stm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Market Segmentation Product Positioning Impact on Consumer
Words: 2352 Length: 9 Document Type: Essay

Market Segmentation Product Positioning Impact on consumer Consumer Decision Process Marketing Mix In this paper, we present a marketing plan for My Wonderland, a specialty smoke shop based in Lancaster City, CA and which also operates as a gift shop. The marketing plan includes a detailed analysis of the company, its clients as well as the possible expansion/success strategies. The aim of the marketing plan is to make the business appealing to potential franchisees since

Market Strategy and Market Segmentation
Words: 1189 Length: 4 Document Type: Marketing Plan

Oakley Pro-Lenses Marketing plan Market Strategy and Market Segmentation Presenting the brand It is important to know what role plays one product in our lives, that's why to fulfill all the customer needs requires a set of processes. In order to see how the new product will fit in the market, we conducted a marketing plan for releasing successfully Oakley ProLenses. Oakley is one of the most loved brands of sunglasses, being known worldwide

Market Segmentation and Target Marketing
Words: 578 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

The article discusses Coppertone ands Dove, yet if one considers the nearly two dozen brands that comprise P&G, there are multitudes of opportunity to see how market segmentation and the concept of target markets are used as essential parts of a broader marketing strategy. The commercially successful Swiffer product line illustrates how market segmentation has successfully been executed to make the home cleaning product appeal to busy, young singles

Market Segmentation and Target Marketing Differentiation and Positioning...
Words: 1690 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Marketing Identify the basic target market selection strategies. The basic target market selection strategies include undifferentiated marketing, differentiated marketing, and concentrated marketing. Undifferentiated market refers to an approach that ignores the differences of each segment of the market and goes after the entire market. With this approach, one product or service will be designed to cover the entire market. This often includes focusing on what all segments of the market have in common,

Market Research and Company Overview
Words: 2520 Length: 8 Document Type: Essay

Athletics Supreme Marketing Plan Company Overview and Market Research Overview of Company Athletics Supreme is a company that has been in the sporting product industry for 10 years now. The main offices and largest retail store of the company is located in New York City. In particular, the company has become a household name in providing sports equipment, such as tennis rackets and balls, rugby balls and footballs. In addition, the company offers

Marketing Market Segmentation the Market
Words: 1441 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Proposal

The large amount of Hispanic supporters drawn by Fernando is a very valuable market segment for Dodgers tickets and merchandising. Season ticket sales can be positioned concomitantly with new merchandising in order to draw the Hispanic market. Positioning The Hispanic market can also be used as a target for positioning Dodgers tickets and merchandising. Positioning refers to the image that the company creates for its product in the mind of consumers.

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now