APD 242 Project 2

Pink and Yellow Image

Prada Spring Ready-to Wear 2010

www.style.com

Flower

www.stockvault.net

Red Image

Alexis Mabille Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Christmas Decorations

www.stockvault.net

Green Image

John Galliano Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Snake

www.ophedrysaestivus.com

Black Image

Elie Saab Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Van

www.stockvault.net

Brown Image

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Mushroom

www.stockvault.net

Yellow Image

Christian Dior Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Old Abandon Gas Pump in Italy

www.stockvault.net

Pink Image

Christian Dior Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Laptop and CD

www.stockvault.net

Blue Image

Hayden Panettiere

www.stylescoop.net

Car

www.stockvault.net

Black and White Image

Christian Dior Spring Couture 2009

www.style.com

Skunk

www.thinkquest.org

Coral Image

Eva Longoria Parker

www.marieclaire.com

Coffee Cup

www.stockvault.net

Failed Retailers

Over the past few months, we have watched many retailers fail. Circuit City, Linens N Things, Goody's, and many more have become unsuccessful in the midst of this struggling economy. But we have to wonder what is really causing all of these retailers to fail, and who is going to be next.

According to Retail Info Systems News, one reason why so many retailers are closing is the price of gas. Not only is gas affecting the consumers, but the retailers as well. Since stores have to have clothing and other items delivered to them, they too are being affected by the gas crisis for a while now. Another reason why retailers are closing their doors more vigorously is because of the need to markdown clothes more often. According to BBC News, stores are having to do markdowns even when they are not planned just so their clothes will sell. Consumers are struggling too and this is prohibiting them from shopping at their leisure as much as they used to.

Whether it is because of the gas prices, or simply because consumers are not willing to buy, the retailing industry is struggling tremendously right not. Even though a lot of stores are already closing some of their locations, there are definitely more to come. There are some stores that are still floating above water and I am certain they are doing everything they can to make sure it stays this way.



Citations:
BBC News
Retail Information Systems News

Target Audiences and VALS

All retailers have a target market which they are trying to sell to. They can vary anywhere from little children all the way up to women in their 50's and older. No matter what the store, there is a target audience that they seem to be selling their products to.

An example of a target audience would be for the store R.E.I. My group discussed this retailer in class and decided that the target audience would be men and women in their 30's and 40's who like to do things outdoors. The products sold in R.E.I. are not only clothing but also hiking gear, fishing products, and even camping gear, plus many more things.

When I took VALS survey, my results came out to be an experiencer and a striver. For the most part, I agree with what each one had to say. I felt as though I am more of an experiencer than a striver simply because it said that money defines success for strivers and that is not me at all. But for the most part, I felt that the survey did a good job of desribing me.

Information On My Favorite Retailer: Express

Since I have made it clear that my favorite retailer is Express, I am going to talk a little bit about its history. Express started almost thirty years ago as an experiment. Express started in 1980 as an experiment along with eight other stores called Limited Express. This is now called Limited Brands. Express had so many opportunities in front of it and they took them.

There are more than 550 stores across the United States as well as a website online to shop from. The CEO and President of Express right now is Michael Weiss. They bring in more than 1.8 billion dollars in sales.

In 2007, Express finally became and independent and privately held company.They were bought by the Golden Gate Capital in San Francisco. This is a great opportunity for Express to grow even larger than they are today.

Favorite Retailer

My favorite retailer is Express. There are many reasons why I like this store.

The first reason is because of the quality of their clothes. Their clothes are made with better products and seem to last longer than other brands.

The second reason I like Express is because of their jeans. Even though they are a bit expensive, their jeans are very comfortable and look the best on me more than other pairs of jeans.

The third reason is because of their sales. Since their clothes are more expensive than some stores, they tend to have really good sales and that is the best time to buy their clothes.

The fourth reason is because of the good service which they provide. I am always helped when I walk in the store and the employees are always really nice.

The final reason that I like this store is because of the layout of the store. Everything in the store is easily accessible and easy to find. The clothes are usually sorted by color and that makes it convenient to find what you need in a timely manner.

Express is a great place to shop and I always enjoy my time spent in the store.