etailers
Nordstrom has done a number of things to help differentiate itself from other retailers. The first is with respect to the product mix. The company has made a point to put higher value brands in the Nordstrom store as part of its differentiation strategy. Nordstrom's approach has therefore been essential in building brand loyalty, by cultivating the middle class and upper middle class. It is worth noting that a brand extension, Nordstrom ack, is catering more squarely to the middle class, and this differentiation not only enforces the difference of the Nordstrom brand but also highlights that the regular Nordstrom brand is positioned well away from the mainstream retailers like Target (Berman, 2010)..

Further, Nordstrom uses pricing and service as points of differentiation. It uses lower pricing in ack, and higher pricing in the regular store, in order to attract different audiences to the two brands. There is little crossover between…...

mla

References

Berman, B. (2010). The questionable future facing global retailers. FT Press. Retrieved December 4, 2013 from  http://www.ftpress.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1646054&seqNum=2 

Anderson, E. (2009). Differentiate -- a sure path to your competitive advantage. Nation's Building News. Retrieved December 4, 2013 from http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2005-03-28/Remodelers/

QuickMBA. (2010). Porter's generic strategies. Quick MBA. Retrieved December 4, 2013 from  http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtml 

MSN Moneycentral (2013) Nordstrom. Retrieved December 4, 2013 from  http://investing.money.msn.com/investments/stock-income-statement/?symbol=JWN

etailer Comparison for Hobby Lobby & Michael's
Hobby Lobby and Michael's are two major competitors in crafting supply and arts and crafts. Michaels is the largest arts and craft retail chain. It currently operates more than 1040 Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores located in 49 U.S. states and in Canada (Marx, 2009). The average Michaels store now contains 40,000 different products in 18,200 square feet of selling space. The stores sell a selection of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall decor, bakeware, beads, scrapbooking and seasonal merchandise for hobbyists and do-it-yourself home decorators.

Hobby Lobby is a privately held retail chain of arts and crafts stores based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with stores located across the U.S.A. A major competitor for Michaels, stores carry a variety of arts and crafts products, including scrapbooking, beading, knitting, rubber stamping, home decor items, floral items, kids' crafts, paints, framing, greenery, baking and many seasonal items (Whitford,…...

mla

References

Green, D. (2009). A Matter of Principle. Chain Store Age, 85(6), 22-24.

Marx, P. (2009). MICHAEL'S. New Yorker, 85(42), 30.

Whitford, D. (2010). ONE FAMILY'S HOBBY. Fortune, 162(7), 69-72.

retailer Nordstrom's classified . Describe characteristics shares retailers type. 2. Describe Nordstrom's level service continuum full service -service.
Nordstrom Analysis

Nordstrom is in the retailer category. The store commercializes clothing items and accessories. The targeted audience is represented by individuals of all age groups and characteristics. Same as in the case of other retailers that sell clothes, Nordstrom has also expanded its range of products to include jewelry, cosmetics, and certain services.

etailers in this market sector present a series of similar characteristics that help them maintain their position in relationship with competitors. Such department stores rely on providing a wide range of products, and they focus on consumer goods and on products with high demand. This refers to apparel, electronics, houseware, cosmetics, and furniture. The differentiation between this type of department store and others is represented by the fact that the purchase is made within each department, in comparison with a…...

mla

Reference list:

1. Company History (2011). Nordstrom. Retrieved August 18, 2011 from  http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/company-history .

2. Samli, C. (1998). Strategic Marketing for Success in Retailing. Retrieved August 18, 2011 from  http://books.google.ro/books?id=DbrZiDk0hZsC&pg=PA6&dq=retailer+mix&hl=ro#v=onepage&q=retailer%20mix&f=false .

Nordstrom department store that produces "Jackets" alters the garment's designs, fabrics, color, trims, at three different price lines; Bridge, Moderate and Budget for their target markets.
etailers set price lines for their merchandise to help in profit maximization. Therefore, it is vital for retailers to estimate prices for their products to achieve this. According to Fashion 101, there are seven terms used to categorize merchandise by price of which three are commonly used; bridge, moderate and budget. The Bridge category has a designer look for less. The Moderate category is broad & includes major brands which are usually referred to as "fast fashion." The Budget category falls in the lower pricing spectrum and usually consists of casual wear which appeals to the masses. The Nordstrom department stores carry these three categories of merchandise for their target markets (Miller, 2012).

Here are some examples:

Bridge Category: Classiques Entier 'Brenna' Leather Jacket

A nonfunctional zipper…...

mla

References

Bond, J. (2010, June). The Keeper of the Nordstrom Way. Columns Magazine.

Miller, P. (2012, January 13). Nordstrom Scores Points with Shoppers. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from www.bizjournals.com:  http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2012/01/nordstrom-scores-points-with-shoppers.html?ana=yfcpc 

Nordstrom Inc. (2012). About Caslon. Retrieved October 10, 2012, from www.nordstrom.com:  http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/caslon 

Nordstrom Inc. (2012). About Halogen. Retrieved October 10, 2012, from www.nordstrom.com:  http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/halogen

business2community.com/social-media/2012s-ten-worst-social-media-Disaster-0370309
Using contemporary illustrative examples from academic literature and reputable business publications, discuss the concept of "Social Business" and the resultant opportunity and challenges that are currently being faced by the retail industry globally.

Concept of Social Business

Concept of Social Business with etailers

Social Media and etailing

Best Practices in Administering Social Media

There is a growing body of research that confirms that companies of all sizes and types can realize a wide array of benefits from the use of social media networks. While the types and applications of social media experience constant change, social media content such as blogs and microblogs have become some of the more popular social media tools that have emerged in recent years. Although there a number of benefits and advantages that can be achieved through the use of social media resources, there is a concomitant danger that inappropriate or misguided content can backfire on a company, sometimes in…...

mla

References

'About MySpace,' 2013, MySpace. [online] available:  https://myspace.com/ .

'About YouTube,' 2013, YouTube. [online] available:  http://www.youtube.com/yt/about/ .

Anderson, DJ 2011, Winter, 'The Foray into Social Media: A Clinician, and Skeptic,

Sold,' Frontiers of Health Services Management, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 23-29.

Giants in Asia:
The two largest retailers i.e. American -- based Wal-Mart and France's Carrefour have targeted the Asian market with varying results. These varying results have been realized despite of the fact that these two giants have provided large stores stocked with general merchandise and groceries. Notably, the entry of Wal-Mart and Carrefour into new national markets is basically a major shock to local retailers who have seen the contemporary status quo of various decades influenced by these international competitors. Wal-Mart's entry into the Chinese market thrived significantly as the retailer revitalized the retail sector in China. On the contrary, the company's entry into the retail sector in Japan was more problematic than in the Chinese retail sector to an extent that it was forced to find a local partner after evaluating this market for four years. For Carrefour, its entry into Asia was mainly characterized by the movement of…...

mla

References:

Chan, J. (2012, May 11). Why Local Retailers are Winning in China? Retrieved October 13,

2012, from http://www.instoretrends.com/index.php/2012/05/11/why-local-retailers-are-winning-in-china/

Daily, N. (2012, August 7). Foreign Retailers Compete for Guangzhou Market. Retrieved October 13, 2012, from  http://gochina.scmp.com/guangzhou/business/foreign-retailers-compete-guangzhou-market 

Regmi, A. & Gehlhar, M. (2005, February). New Directions in Global Food Markets. Retrieved October 13, 2012, from  http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/nmalhotra/306/Global%20Food%20Market%20ERS%20USDA%20study.pdf

Wal-Mart is America's largest retailer and an epitome of business success. The corporation was founded in the 1960s by Samuel Walton, with a vision of quality products at affordable prices. For most of its existence, the company has been a specialized retailer, centralizing products of virtually any category into a single stop store format.
In recent years however, the company has commenced to create its own products and sell them to customers. This move into the private label sector allows the company to create and retail cost effective products, to attract the cost sensitive consumers, and also to retain them.

Currently, a consideration is being made relative to the corporation's possibility of launching a line of bio bakeries, all baked in-house. In other words, the primary features of the new product line would be that they are private label and ecologic. Still, at this stage, it is necessary to devise a plan…...

mla

References:

Barletta, M., 2011, Marketing to women: how to increase your share of the world's largest market, Kaplan

Lincoln, K., 2009, Private label: turning the retail brand threat into your biggest opportunity, Kogan Page Publishers

Ianuzzi, A., 2011, Greener products: the making and marketing of sustainable brands, CRC Press

Mills, G., 2002, Retail pricing and market power, Melbourne Univ. Publishing

Sand and Surf Retailers recent acquisition of several smaller companies to expand its chain of clothing outlets has required a change in the manner in which purchases are made. To this end, Sand and Surf decided to develop an in-house application called SPS (Standard Purchasing System). The SPS system is designed to standardize purchasing practices for each Sand and Surf subsidiary and manage all purchasing information. System testing will be completed by the end of the week. For the purposes of completing the system testing the following issues will be addressed.
hat types of documentation are needed for this application?

Purchase to pay cycle documentation is one of the most important types of documentation that will be needed for the application. The documents associated with the purchase to pay cycle include identifying requirements, obtaining quotes, evaluating offers, negotiating agreements, placing orders and receiving goods ("Purchase Pay Cycle"). In addition commitment reports and…...

mla

Works Cited

"Purchase Pay Cycle"). http://cips.studyserve.com.au/Courseware/CIPS_Content/KnowledgeBytes/Level%202%20Introductory%20Certificate%20to%20Purchasing%20and%20Supply/Purchase%20to%20Pay%20Cycle%20Documentation.pdf

Khandelwal, S. Subramanian, K. Garg, R."Next Generation Cross Technology Test Data Solution for M&A," itng, pp.310-314, 2011 Eighth International Conference on Information Technology: New Generations, 2011

Bruce A. Rocheleau, 2006. Public management information systems. Idea Group Inc.

Social Media etailing Applications: Opportunities and Threats
How Has Social Media Developed and What are the Benefits and Downsides of Using Social Media for etailers Today?

This study examines social business in general, how it developed and the benefits of using social media in particular. Second, this study provides a discussion concerning the potential positive as well as the effects of social business in the retail sector which is followed by a description of optimal business strategies for social media applications, the pros/cons of using these tools in the industry, and some representative case studies concerning companies that succeeded and some that recently failed in their use of social media. Finally, the study provides a summary of the research and important findings is followed by a series of recommendations concerning how retailers should use social media technologies in their own businesses in the concluding chapter.

Social Media Business Applications

Chapter One:

Introduction

The past half century…...

mla

References

About Honda. (2013). Honda. Available:   Last accessed 1 November 2013.http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=philanthropy_overview .

About Virgin. (2013). Virgin America. Available: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-company.html.

Baumann, M. (2010, June). @Twitter Discloses Business Model #Promotedtweets RT.

Information Today, 27 (6) 1-5.

Issue: Retailers going global For United States together with European retailers within a still-troubled economic climate, the key to develop could be as difficult to attain as it can be difficult to disregard. Money-strapped consumers are, even now, not opening their own wallets, as confirmed by the decline in American retail product sales this past year. Simultaneously, lifestyle standards all over the world have already been increasing for a long time. Certain countries and parts that, at one time, functioned primarily as suppliers of cheap-labor together with raw materials within the global economic climate now feature engaging national marketplaces with powerful sales of the products created by United states, British, as well as other Western retailers. Within this atmosphere, increasingly more retailers of all sizes and shapes happen to be going overseas to maintain their expansion. And it is an open playing area. Besides the typical suspects, retailers have found niche…...

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Boosting E-Commerce Sales through Customer Engagement and Enhanced ExperiencesSection 1: IntroductionRetail sales by e-commerce during the recent holiday season represented more than one-third of all sales for the first time in history, and current signs indicate this trend towards e-commerce alternatives will continue to accelerate in the future. Indeed, virtually any product or service that is available in a traditional retail setting can be found online, and in most cases far more options and cheaper prices as well. It is little wonder that retailers of all ilk have created an online presence in an effort to take advantage of this trend, but it is clear that consumer expectations for their e-commerce experience are maturing and expanding. One strategy that has already proven effective for this purpose is the addition of artificial intelligence to the online retail experience, and there are multiple benefits of this…...

mla

References

Artificial Intelligence in E-Commerce. (2022). Big Commerce. Retrieved from commerce.com/articles/ecommerce/ecommerce-ai/.https://www.big

Chen, J.-S., Le, T.-T.-Y., & Florence, D. (2021). Usability and responsiveness of artificial intelligence chatbot on online customer experience in e-retailing. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 49(11), 1512–1531

Li, M., & Wang, R. (2023). Chatbots in e-commerce: The effect of chatbot language style on customers’ continuance usage intention and attitude toward brand. Journal of Retailing & Consumer Services, 71, 1-16.

Economics
Growth The retailer sector was lately affected by the back-to-school shopping season, which did not start so well, as midprice department stores, discounters and specialty-apparel retailers announced disappointing sales results during August, which reinforced the already much debated concerns that consumers are not comfortable with the current state of the economy and are reluctant to consume, considering the shaky and uneven economic recovery.

However, luxury department-store chains managed to post significant earnings, as they benefited from the help of an important number of upscale shoppers. Still, the effects of higher gas prices and the rising value of grocery bills, combined with lackluster job growth were severely felt by moderate- and lower-income shoppers.

Michael Niemira, chief economist and director of research at the International Council of Shopping Centers feels that "There's weaker-than-expected performance," due to the fact that "there was a slowdown in spending, but some results are exaggerated by other factors,." Mr.…...

mla

References

1. Higher energy prices depress overall economy. Charles Stein.

Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Washington:

Aug 6, 2004. On the Internet at  http://gateway.proquest.com.libproxy.unm.edu/openurl-url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqd&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&genre=article&rft_dat=xri:pqd:did=000000674708321&svc_dat=xri:pqil:fmt=text&req_dat=xri:pqil:pq_clntid=2877 

2. Retailers' Sales Come In Weaker Than Expected; Soft Results Reinforce Fears About Consumer Confidence; Discounters Saw Biggest Hit. Kortney Stringer.

Target
In general, Target is not subject to significant interference in the political environment. In an industry like discount retailing, where the margins as razor thin, taxation can affect the decisions that a company makes, because even a small increase in the net tax burden can render a store, project or company unprofitable. However, it is unusual that Target would be subject to unusual taxes not also shared by its major competitors in the discount or warehouse retail spaces. Likewise, there is a complex legal and regulatory burden on Target, encompassing areas like marketing, human resources and the company's stock. However, there is nothing undue about Target's burden relative to that of its major competitors. Target's current expansion plans are taking it to Canada, so it is worth considering that Target needs to understand an entirely new legal, regulatory and tax environment as part of this strategy -- something Wal-Mart and…...

world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart runs and operates numerous retail stores around the globe. Founded in the year 1962 by Sam Walton, the company has continued to grow to assume its current position as one of America's biggest corporations. In this text, I discuss the retailer's future prospects, financial performance as well as top management team amongst other things.
Wal-Mart: Discussion

One of the most interesting facts about Wal-Mart is how the firm has maintained its competitiveness in an otherwise highly competitive marketplace through the application of a variety of competitive strategies. One of the strategies the company has consistently applied over time is cost leadership. Basically, cost leadership has got to do with a firm's move to offer its products for sale at prices that are essentially below the industry average. According to Hoskisson, Hitt and Ireland (2008), "Wal-Mart is known for its ability to both control and reduce costs, making…...

mla

References

Hoskisson, R.E., Hitt, MA. & Ireland, R.D. (2008). Competing for Advantage (2nd ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

Moyer, R.C., McGuigan, J.R. & Kretlow, W.J (2008). Contemporary Financial Management. (11th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

Yahoo Finance (2012, March 18). Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Common St. (WMT) -- NYSE. Retrieved March 18th 2012, from Yahoo Finance Website:  http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=WMT+Interactive#symbol=WMT;range=

Joe's Sports, a 50-year-old sporting-goods retailer with stores in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, who filed for bankruptcy protection recently. The company began when "Edward Orkney, a World War II veteran, began selling Army surplus sleeping bags from the back of a station wagon in Portland" (Martinez, 2009). It grew to a chain of 30 stores with over 1,600 employees, and was considered successful until the economic downturn that began in 2008.
The company claims up to $500 million in debt, and there are several of its creditors who are uninsured and facing steep losses, such as Columbia Sportswear, another Washington company, who is owed about $888,300. They owe about $12.8 in total to all their creditors. The company did secure some funding from Wells Fargo etail Finance so it can continue to operate and pay its employees as it attempts to reorganize and again become profitable. The President and CEO…...

mla

References

Martinez, A. (2009). Joe's Sports files for bankruptcy protection. Retrieved 13 May 2009 from the Seattle Times Web site:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008814402_joes050.html .

1. Self-Checkout: A Revolution in the Retail Industry

This title highlights the transformative impact of self-checkout technology on the retail industry. It suggests that self-checkout has revolutionized the way customers shop and pay for goods, leading to significant changes in store operations, customer behavior, and the overall shopping experience.

2. The Rise of Self-Checkout: Convenience, Efficiency, and the Changing Role of Cashiers

This title emphasizes the convenience and efficiency that self-checkout offers to customers, as well as the changing role of cashiers in the face of this technology. It explores how self-checkout has streamlined the checkout process, reduced wait times, and empowered customers....

Original Thesis Statement:

A Comparative Analysis of Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping

Refined Thesis Statement:

While both online and traditional shopping offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, a comprehensive analysis reveals that online shopping has emerged as the preferred choice for consumers due to its convenience, broader selection, and competitive pricing.

Extended Explanation:

Convenience:

Online shopping eliminates the need for physical travel, saving consumers time and effort.
Customers can shop from the comfort of their own homes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Delivery options provide flexibility and reduce the hassle of carrying purchases.

Selection:

Online retailers offer a far wider selection of....

I. Introduction
- Explanation of online shopping and traditional shopping
- Thesis statement: The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast online shopping with traditional shopping in terms of convenience, cost, and customer experience.

II. Convenience
A. Online Shopping
- Explanation of the convenience of shopping from the comfort of your own home
- Availability of 24/7 shopping
- Ability to compare prices easily

B. Traditional Shopping
- Explanation of the convenience of being able to see and touch products before purchasing
- Interaction with sales staff for assistance
- Limited hours of operation

III. Cost
A. Online Shopping
- Discussion on how online shopping can lead to cost savings through discounts....

I. Introduction
A. Hook: Begin with a captivating statement about the transformative power of e-commerce.
B. Thesis statement: State the main argument that online shopping and traditional shopping offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, warranting a comparative analysis.

II. Body Paragraph 1: Advantages of Online Shopping
A. Convenience and Time Efficiency: Elaborate on the ease of shopping anytime, anywhere, without the need for physical travel or queues.
B. Wider Selection and Comparative Options: Discuss the vast array of products available online, allowing consumers to compare prices and features effortlessly.
C. Frequent Deals and Discounts: Highlight the frequent promotions, coupons, and loyalty programs....