Competitive Environment

Joseph Ribkoff, the Canadian womenswear fashion brand celebrates its diamond jubilee this year (2018). The brand has designed a spring collection in dedication to its 60th anniversary. Joseph Ribkoff has always been available only in boutique retailers rather than in department stores. Hence, owing to the 60th anniversary of the Canadian womenswear brand (D., 2017) we are taking this opportunity to launch the brand in two of the leading department stores in Mexico. El Palacio de Hierro and Saks Fifth Avenue (Santa Fe mall and Polanco) are the chosen stores to broaden their customer base in the Mexican womenswear market. The brand designs formal dresses, separates for special occasions (Joseph Ribkoff, n.d.) and caters to sizes right from extra

Both of these companies are doing better than the industry average at turning over their inventory.

S(trengths) – Foxy Originals has saturated the Canadian market, which presents an opportunity for growth. The two owners have extensive experience in designing jewelry, having done so since they were in high school. They’re good at what they do and have had time to perfect their trade. They also have a firm grasp of who their target market is, so they are able to offer “fresh, fun, and funky” products at a reasonable price. With such a specific product (rather than just general jewelry), it creates a niche market that will generate loyal customers.

A few of the strengths that Blue Nile has is its prices, product line,educational information, lean costs, and supply chain efficiency. Also, Blue Nile has many potential market opportunities. Currently, Blue Nile has expanded to new geographic markets and has had a huge success in its online sales. Finally, there are few external threats to the company 's future profitability. Even though there are other online jewelry retail stores, Blue Nile has established itself, there are no real direct substitutes, and with such low prices, it would be hard for new entrants to compete.

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), an American retailer that concentrates on upscale casual wear for young consumers, which was founded in Manhattan, New York City in June 4, 1892 by two young minds of David T. Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch. Beginning with a rough journey of selling sporting outfits and excursion goods such as fishing and hunting equipment, A&F had to file bankruptcy in 1977. Soon thereafter, the company was revived after Jake Oshman, owner of Oshman Sporting Goods, bought A&F in 1978. A&F was relaunched as a mail-retailer company specializing in hunting wear and novelty items, but was bought by The Limited ten years after its revival. The gradual shift to focusing on apparels for young consumers began when A&F was a subsidiary of Limited Brands, and since then, A&F has grown to become one of the largest apparel firms in the United States. In 1998, A&F launched Abercrombie Kids, targeting consumers from age 7-14, which further increases its revenue. In 1999 to early 2000s, A&F’s sales skyrocketed as it hit its zenith, by portraying A&F clothing as the “coolest thing” through billboard-winning song that compliments A&F in the lyrics, as well as other advertisements. Furthermore, A&F launched a subsidiary called Hollister to tackle similar age group of target audience but with lower income. This expansion to dominate the market of teenagers through consideration of other demographic factor, namely income, was exceptional for A&F’s revenue. Presently, A&F focused on

Forever 21 stores tend to be the larger than Charlotte Russe stores according to their website. The average store is 38,000 square

One specific competitive advantage Macy 's holds over Nordstrom 's is its target demographic. While Nordstrom 's focuses mainly on career moms between the ages of 35 and 50, Macy 's recently launched "Millennial strategy" states that its merchandise areas primarily serve ages 19-30. The millennial generation (ages 13-30) is now America 's largest and most diverse generation, spending an estimated $65 billion each year for the type of merchandise sold at Macy 's. A much larger demographic gives Macy 's a competitive advantage.

Brilliance in Diamonds is a jewelry store that is located in Metairie, Louisiana. They want to guide their customers through the process of creating the perfect engagement ring at a wholesale price. They view every single creation as a partnership between them and their clients. Brilliance in Diamonds is GIA certified. They are certified diamond experts.

Bejeweled Inc is a well known jewelry store which has locations in Florida, Georgia, and New York. Bejeweled Inc in addition to their stores also provides the jewelry to a few local jewelry stores in the New York area. Brian Leach Owner of Bejeweled Inc opened his first store in February 1995. The first store to open was the store located in Atlanta Georgia, within two years he opened another in Savannah Georgia and another in Brunswick six months later. In In June 2000 Brian opened up two stores in Miami and in March 2008

Blue Nile’s business model is to offer high-quality diamonds and fine jewelry at competitive and attractive prices. Blue Nile strives to provide customers with useful information throughout the buying process, including educational information such as grading reports on the diamonds.

In the 2nd stage of the report the branding strategy of SWATCH & TISSOT watches on the basis of their Store Operations Management have discussed. The store design, display, assortment, ambience etc have discussed.

As of Feb 28, 2014, the company had approx. 10,000 employees & 246 retail stores in 20 countries. The company has business in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China. The company also operates an e-commerce website with 12 different localized online stores across the world.

In essence, branding is all about differentiation and consistency. It always has been able to effectively establish an emotional relationship with customers. They compete with each other with the quality of watches that they make for example; Rolex provides a variety of choice for their customers and provides their wants and desires. This includes; by making their watches handcrafted, and putting diamonds into their watches to make it more luxurious etc. Another way for them competing is level of service provided. If a customer comes to Rolex they will ensure that they provide insurance and great level of customer service. This will increase repeat-purchase and brand loyalty among their customers. Rolex is considered untouchable in its position as the world’s leading luxury watch brand both in terms of industry prestige and its

Rolex and Patek Philippe are part of the jewelry and watches market – watches consist of 20.8% of the jewelry

Middle class is booming worldwide and with prosperity comes consumers ' desire to show that they are doing well, therefore super brands like Danish Pandora and British Signet also called “category killers”, has stormed the global jewellery market where there is money to fight for. Pandora competes in affordable luxury segment, which in 2009 totalled 83 billion USD, equivalent to approx. 57% of the total market for fine jewellery. Affordable luxury still gives consumers the feel of stardust.