MK 473 Fall 2013

I am wondering for how long this green trend will persist. I mean, so many companies are starting all those fancy campaign now but will there be a point when consumers just don't demand it anymore because they are fed up with it? It is a good thing though to tailor promotion to appeal to the "green" part of consumers' minds...

I agree with Raphael... how long will it last? Is there a point where you cannot get any more "green"? I think it is interesting that the article mentions H&M regarding their new initiative for giving discounts on returned clothes. It is great that the initiative is working well for Patagonia, but what more can Patagonia do with the "green" initiative?...how can Patagonia build further on this?

Great way to take advantage of the omni-channel possibilities! In the short term it will be interesting to see if these marked products have an increase in sales. I think in the long run this will help enhance the overall brand image since Nordstrom is integrating their online shoppers into the brick-and-mortar facilities. Someone commented on the article and said it nicely, "Labeling your company's "Top Pinned Items" in the physical store is a clever way to give a nod of appreciation to your online followers..."

This is an excellent representation of omnichannel retailing at some of it's finest. As Pinterest continues to grow as a Titan in the social media and image sharing realm, Nordstrom is capitalizing on it's already strong foundation through this channel. Since many if it's consumers could probably be profiled as pinners, all they are doing is taking excellent basis for opinions and incorporating it into their layout, features products, and presence alike.

I thought this was a really interesting read and like how they emphasize catering all aspects of their store to their target market. While I can't say I have made many purchases at Urban Outfitters, I feel like it is also a destination store. The atmosphere is inviting and draws people in because it is so different. That alone helps create a buzz and draw others in. There is an Urban Outfitters at the Keystone Fashion Mall which got me thinking to some of the other stores there. I feel like there are many store there that share this fun, atmospheric experience which really adds value. The atmosphere can really help or hinder a consumer's experience and I feel like that the Keystone Fashion Mall has done a great job of creating a unique experience for all of its visitors - Urban Outfitters being included as a part of it.

This is an article relevant to us - college students! We have only had a few classes and already Urban Outfitters has come up as a retailer that has drawn our attention. The article gives a great example of how Urban Outfitters is trying to attract their target market to their stores, not just through their merchandise but by keeping us there longer with a unique layout. Lina gave a great point how today we all need to be well-rounded in many different areas which can bring value to a company. And Krista, I agree with you about the Keystone Mall - the layout of the stores and lots of open space keep shoppers happy and in the mall longer. This is an aspect many other shopping centers could/should pick up on...how the "atmosphere" and store selection makes us feel.

Similar to what Lina mentioned in her post, using artists to influence the layout of a store is a very interesting approach. There may be some advantage to that, although we may not think we are analytic, being business students, at Butler we are very well versed in all the disciplines of business. This makes us think not only about our vision for something, but also the outcomes of it financially and economically. So maybe Urban Outfitters is onto something with their thoughts moving from being focused on the business perspective to the artistic perspective. If they can incorporate new pieces into their displays that they find on their drive into work without consulting others, that is an awesome way to keep your store forever changing and to continue its appeal. I am very interested to see how many stores will begin to follow in their footsteps, and incorporate more artists into their decision making.

This fits quite well in McDonald's global strategy as they do things like that in almost every country. In the Netherlnds for example, they sell the McKroket (http://www.mcdonalds.nl/sites/default/files/produits/477x355_0005_mckroket.png) and in Germany something like a "Bratwurst Burger" (Sausage Burger) ( http://www.burgerbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/McD_Germany_Nurnburger.jpg ). Trying to adapt to local tastes might also have a downside, though, as people from that country might be disappointed by the McDonald's copy of a dish they are very proud of (e.g. it worked well in the Netherlands but didn't in Germany).

I think this article is really interesting because consumers do see McDonald's trying to expand into certain niches with their stores. Most McDonald's around the world have the same products, but the stores in Spain for example featured the McIberica which is similar to the McBaguette, but with a Spanish twist. I think that it is really interesting how the McBaguette is seriously taking off and am wondering if it will be featured at McDonald's in the US

I found this article especially interesting because I studied abroad in France last semester and I have actually tried this sandwich. I can attest to the fact that French people eat baguettes daily and you can literally see people walking down the street gnawing on a huge baguette so I can see how the McDonald's Baguette sandwich would be insulting to local bakeries. On the other hand I can see what Koffmann is saying when he says that the McDonald's sandwich seems fresher just because at local bakeries they make a bunch of sandwiches then set them out on display all day and if you go to get a sandwich later in the afternoon chances are it is not going to be extremely fresh. Which is also strange to think about...McDonald's having fresh food. I think this is a great move for McDonald's because it gives them a chance to delve into other cultures.

McDonald's innovation has always been astonishing not only to myself, but to the industry as a whole. It's quite interesting to take notice of its place as the clear industry leader, as other companies in its genre seemingly put as much effort into adapting to the market McDonalds has shaped to keep up with the titan as they have into development of innovative product campaigns to differentiate themselves. The introduction of the McBaguette is a clear example of this dynamic company's ability to mould themselves to cater to specific demographics in dramatically different cultural groups. Yet it still leads me to ask.. How did McDonalds become such an iconic brand in a way that Burger King, Wendy's and others did not?

I've been to a few international McDonalds locations, and I think what McDonalds is introducing with the "local" spin is important for the company. They need to stay fresh and appeal to French palettes. I believe the intriguing part of international McDonalds locations is the spin on our favorite, American items. I'm a shareholder in McDonalds and from a profitability standpoint, it's important to expand the French market if it's the second leader behind the United States. I wish they offered the item here - it looks good! I have an idea Prof. King - Retailing field trip to France! We need to try this!

McDonald's always seems to amaze me, I think it is very important to realize that any business that enters a global market needs to cater to that cultures needs and wants and McDonald's had done just that. I have been to a couple international McDonald's locations in the UK and Spain. What really stood out to me was the menu in Spain -- they offered beer and more chicken options! Although the McBaguette isn't a traditional baguette it seems that McDonald's as always caters to what the customers want.

Wow! This is some really cool technology, and it sounds like it would make life convenient- but I can't help but wonder about the security of the system and how easy it would be for someone to hack into your paypal account and risk you losing everything. Also, it wasn't explained very well how stores monitor this, can you just walk out with our product in the grocery store or how does that work? It seems like although this would increase efficiency of the shopping experience there may be some pretty big issues to iron out as well.

All of the things that continue to evolve with technology just blows my mind! This PayPal Beacon does seem really great, efficient, and very convenient but I do have some of the same concerns that Megan pointed out. So when you go up to confirm, do they check to see what you have to make sure everything is accounted for? I think this does have great potential and would make the check out process much easier, I would just want to know a little bit more about this system.

Megan and Sarah nailed my same concerns. Seems like there are some loose ends that need to be cleared up but interesting concept overall. I like the idea that I could be greeted by my name when I walk into a store. I think this could help marketers learn a lot about their customers and what people buy when they come into a store. For example, it would be great if a sales employee could see when and what were the last items a customer purchased. That way the sales associate can direct the customer to products they like. PayPal Beacon could help out immensely!

WOW, what an invention. How perfect would this be for running errands in the most efficient way possible? There would practically be no line or no waiting. I had the same thoughts going through my mind about making sure products are accounted for, but with a product like this I feel like the experts would cover that. My concern is towards what stores will actually catch on and implement this new device. Will it primarily be retail/clothing stores, or could it be incorporated into Target, or Macy's? The PayPay Beacon seems to offer a lot in terms of convenience and I am interested to see who will catch on.

"Mean girls" is right. Abercrombie can stick their preppy, "popular" noses elsewhere! I hope that Germany and Turkey, as Megan mention, read about this and stop shopping there. How embarrassing for Abercrombie.. they should feel humiliated for what they have done.

Wow. . . how embarrassing for Abercrombie -- shame on them. As stated in the article sales are down 10% and if they continue to act this way I can see people not wanting to shop there - especially overseas. No one likes "mean girls."

I grew up riding horses- so naturally I didn't enjoy this article- but like Lina said above, I think it is important to recgonize how one brand image can really effect the whole industry. Because Tesco made this big error other brands are hearing the effects of their mistake- and I bet Chipolte is benifiting from it based on there new ad!

Thanks for sharing! Great advice in there. Everyone should at least check out the commercial - totally worth your time. How genius to come up with a game along with the commercial. It never once said Chipotle but now I want to go there! Brilliant.

Amazing ad! This brings in a story-line to Chipotle's food and an emotional touch to get consumers to choose them over another fast food restaurant. There was no need to really even put Chipotle's name into the ad because that would possibly ruin the story. Another thing that is a great marketing move is the game app. This will attract to a younger crowd and can be used as a reminder to consumers that other fast food restaurants use unethical practices to produce their food.

I love this ad! Not only does the ad do a great job of giving the background story and explaining how Chipotle started, but it also gives us (or at least it did for me) that warm feeling inside, the emotional touch as Emily stated. This ad was a great way for them to connect with their consumers.

To piggyback off Megan, I also find this very interesting because about three weeks ago, something very similar happened with my friends and I in Chicago. We spent the entire day downtown and spent our money on the train ride, taxis, food, and a Ferris Wheel ride instead of purchasing items on Michigan Ave. I think all of us would agree that going to Navy Pier, touring Trump Tower, riding the Ferris Wheel, taking pictures at the bean, etc. made that "overall experience" more than buying "stuff." Also, I think DIY projects are becoming more and more popular. For example, before coming to school, I went into a little boutique close to home and found a few things I liked, but instead of buying them there, I purchased the supplies needed to make them myself. Though they did not look exactly like they had in the store, they were much less expensive and more special to me. So overall, I think people are starting to craft and do more DIY projects instead of buying items at a store.

This was very interesting to read about because it is so true. There are a ton of people, my friends included, that prefer to online shop than buy things in a store. I am more of an in-store shopper; however, I do shop online occasionally. The most interesting part of the article to me was about whether or not our generation was becoming more or less "material-focused." While we do tend to be buying more online, I think this generation is just as material, if not more, than any other. Because we have the option to buy online, it gives us easier access to purchasing items: not only can we buy in-store, but we can also buy online. This, in my opinion, give us the a greater chance of materiality.

I think the topic that this article is centered around is really easy for our generation to relate to, especially for me. I can't tell you how many times I go to H&M, Nordstrom, or any other retail store just to "check out what they have." I would say there's an even 50/50 chance that I will walk out with something or not. I think the most true idea in Peterson's article is "almost anything they [millennials] want can be found and bought online, when and where they want it." I think this is so true of this generation because if we can't find something we want online, that item that we wanted is pretty much scrapped because we cannot look at it from our own homes. Making everything as most convenient as possible for consumers, in my opinion, is the the primary goals for retail stores and this article definitely discusses that aspect.

I agree with Megan and Sarah. Last semester in Prof King's class we discussed JCPenny's plan to become more of an "experience" for shoppers. I am not quite sure if JCPenny was able to execute this plan, but it seems as though it would work for millennials. Even the History of US Retailing predicts that "specialty operations that bring selection and a high- quality customer service and shopping experience" will survive and prosper. Megan and Sarah went for the enjoyment of friends and the city. That is exactly what our generation and millennials want. What we want is an experience, to be a part of something. I think that if retailers understand how to do this then they will have more customers. On top of this, the article says that the millennials are becoming more "frugal" therefore retailers need to make more of an effort to prove that a store is worth a millennial's money. Just a quick thought - don't know if any clothing companies do this or not (probably) but if an online store let a customer create a lookalike avatar - same height, weight, ect. Now the online shopper can dress themselves on the computer (kind of creepy to think about but hey! An experience nonetheless). I think ideas like that which add an experience would spark millennials' interest.