Retailing: LOCATION LOCATION !

MAC started out in Canada and is known worldwide. MAC has its own flagship called MAC Professional worldwide and in malls. They also have counters at a few department stores such as Macys, Bloomingdales, and Lord and Taylor. There is also a discount store named Cosmetic Company Outlet(CCO)located one located in Long Island(Riverhead,NY) and three others upstate NY (Niagara Falls,NY, Waterloo,NY, and Central Valley,NY), they sell MAC products and a lot of other elite high end cosmetic brands for a discounted price.

Retail Visit

The retailer I visited was to Uniqlo. It is a clothing retail store in Soho,NY located on Broadway between Prince and Spring. Uniqlo is a high end retail store from Japan which offers great customer service, shipping to other states, and free alterations for pants or deniem if needed Uniqlo is the only retailer in American right now, they do however ship to other states. Since this retailer is able to ship their product nationwide customer service receives many calls daily due to their e-tailing being over the phone. There clothes are great quality, affordable, and great for up to at least two seasons. They sell basic appareal in all different colors from Cardagins,V-Necks, U-Necks, and hoodies in Cashmere and Merino being their number one seller to Lambswool. They sell undergarments and HeatTech, which is a thin undergarment used for the colld to insolate your body heat. The sell Chinos in Khaki,Brown, and Beige. Deniem in all different colors and styles. They sell about everything you could ever think of all basic for everyday use and for professional/work clothes use. Uniqlo is from Japan, it is the only store in America, which makes it such a high demand and high gross margins for others nationwide. Uniqlo also offers free alternations, which is amazing. You must purchase the deniem first before your alterations may be completed. It is an amazing idea, and a great service for the customer.

Stock rooms are located on each floor which makes it extremely easy for employees to access products that may not be on the floor, and not waste time on items that you make want but not necessarily find on the floor. Fitting rooms are unisex during the weekends, which gets crazy on the weekends as usual. So, it works out well to have that. Overall, this retailer is all about customer service, selling a product that in reality you will be happy with, and making you come back for more !

If you are interested in visiting them they are located on 546 Broadway Between Prince Street and Spring. the R,N,W will take you there if you get off on Prince Street and the F,V,D,Q to Broadway Laffetteye.

There website adress is http://www.uniqlo.com

Product Concepts:Branding

The black background with the white M A C letters stands out the most, why? Because it is the MAC logo and it is the name of the brand. Their logo most reflects their company because the employee dress code is all black, and their make-up packing are all black, skin care is black and white, and brushes are black. I STRONGLY believe that this was the best way to market MAC. Their is great symbolism in the logos name, which makes it extremely creative for cusotomers to want to buy from. Their black and white colors are also a great way to market, because when their limited collections launch, their packaging is usually in different colors. Except for their newest collection "Style Black," which is all black, even the product, except for some dark lipsticks, lipgloss,and eyeshadows. The theme of "Style Black," is all dark.

Product Concepts

MAC Cosmestic products are both tangible and intagible products. Most MAC Cosmestic packaging is all black, except the limited collections. They company likes to make things interesting, like any company, to draw their customers into buying their products. Although, many limited edition products can be found in their original collection, many consumers buy the limited edition products because of the packaging. For example, DSQUARED2, is one of MAC's new collections, their lip condition named FushiaFix, is already in MAC original collection. The only reason why consumers are buying it, is to support the brand. DSQUARED2 is a clothing line.

Segmenting and Targeting Markets II

One-to-one marketing takes place in many ascepts of Victoria's Secrets Customer Service online. One-to-one marketing defintely takes place as soon as you walk into a local Victoria Secret retailer. Victoria Secret employees are trained in servicing customers exceptionally well, making them not want to leave without purchasing something. And even if they do not purchase an item, they always come back. They same customer service that is offered online, as a mentioned in my last post "Business Marketing: Customer Service," they offer in store. Victoria Secret definetly fits one-toone marketing elements of personalization, time savings, loyalty, and technology.

Segmenting and Targeting Markets

According to this chart men take the leading percentage of purchasing items from Victoria Secret. This chart relates to gender segmentation. Most mean are having interest in purchasing Victoria Secret items such as fragence and etc.. Tweens and Generation X and Y, take the leading group of people whom purchase the most from Victoria Secret. Ethic Segmentation with a leading 90% Causucian. And college students at a 49%, I'd fit that under Income Segmentation.

Business Marketing II : Customer Service

Are you looking for outstanding customer service not only at the store,but online? Well Victoria Secret has OUTSTANDING customer service online, making new customers addicted and old ones want to stay for a life time. Although they do have a little section about unscribing to email and etc.. This company is aware that many questions are frequently asked and that customers like to receive their information quickly as soon as you can snap your fingers. So, because they are aware of customer needs they have a list of "frequently asked questions" that customers can view before they call or email them. Not only can you search for your question as quick as a click but you can also check your order status and set up an account along with requesting for a FREE catalogue with approxmiately 7-10 business days of arrival. Victoria Secret's Contact Us info is amazing, they have options from e-mailing to sending in a letter of concern. Emailing is about the most creative option they have, because before you e-mail they have options of what you want to email about. Their calling infor ranges from the United States telephone number to International, orders from Japan, and fax numbers. Gift Services are also availible such as an explaintation of how to buy a gift card to an option of whether or not you would like your gift to be wrapped. They not only offere outstanding customer service, but they take pride in their company they they offer a link to speak about the company and their mission. Some interesting information that I found most informing is that Victoria Secret is associated with Bath and Body Works and White Barn Candles, and they have over 900 stores nationwide.

Business Marketing: Victoria's Secret

Victoria Secret was found in 1977 by a man named Roy Raymond. Victoria Secret is a multi billion dollar company, that has many multi billion dollar competitors . Many other retailers such as Topshop, Kohl's, Bloomingdales, Macys, and etc.. have a line of a lingre cause Victoria Secret to compete. What makes Victoria Secret so different from all of these competitors is that indeed it is known for their sexy lingre, but they also market PINK which is a lingre line for teens, Victoria Secret also has a catalog marketing different types of shoes from stores such as Sketchers, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Miss Sixty, Steve Madden, and last but certainly not least UGG Austrila, and etc..., making it their strategic alliance. Victoria Sercet is indeed open minded in making business with other companies.

Consumer Buying Decision and How it is affected

Consumer buying decisions are most definitely affected that the competitiveness of the market. There are so many other brands out there that may cost less than MAC causing a higher demand on something cheap. What good is it to buy cheap "drugstore" make-up, when buying something of a mediocre price would benefit you, your skin, and better looks. Some brands may offer a better quality than MAC but they cost more. MAC Cosmetics indeed has competition with other brands. But when tourist come to visit New York they all visit the MAC Professional Store in search for a cheaper MAC than overseas. And Americans love the high fashion MAC Cosmetic look, especially in New York City, the home of couture, high , and mediocre fashion !

Consumer Decision Making

As we all know Hello Kitty was orginated in Japan in 1974 by a toy company named Sanrio. On November 14,2008, MAC Cosmestics launched their Hello Kitty limited collection all worth over $1,000 of product. This collection comes with some accesories, which is sometimes usual for most collections. The accessories include a vanity case, make-up bags, tote bags, compact mirror, breaded bracelet, and a 14inch MAC Hello Kitty Plush. "According to MAC Worldwide Senior Vice President Director James Gager , "shes aboslutely our customer," adding " she's usual in that she would be 14 or 75 years old. Within that broadrange of women ( and even men I should say), you'll find an indiviual that loves to play within make-up in an offbeat, oringial way.