Millennial Proposal Nordstrom

Weaknesses - Although Nordstrom has substantial strength, the organization is not without weaknesses. First, although Nordstrom’s has a superior selection in comparison to the majority of other retail clothing companies, their quality also comes at a cost that many consumers are not willing to pay. In a period of economic instability and uncertainty, consumers are turning to online retailers such as Amazon in order to fulfill their clothing needs. Moreover, consumers are looking for more convenient ways of purchasing products and clothing is typically something where overnight shipping is acceptable versus an immediate need. Additionally, another weakness of Nordstrom is the geographic dispersion of their retail locations which are most commonly associated with shopping malls. Coincidentally, shopping malls are also struggling to compete with online retailers, thus Nordstrom experiences less opportunistic walk-in customers. On the same token, the opportunity costs for underserved

Target Corporation is an upscale discount retailer whose mission is to provide trendy merchandise to their “guests” or customers (Target Corporation, n.d.). In order to achieve its mission, Target relies on its efficient management team to execute its vision and maintain operations. To learn more about a manager's role at Target, we interviewed Lisa Novgrod, a store manager of Target, on November 3rd, 2017. One of the topics discussed in the interview was the growth of online shopping and the struggle to be competitive online against giant e-commerce companies like Amazon.com and other retail competitors like Walmart. Currently, Target is having difficulty translating their competitive advantages such as a great in-store experience and trendy

Even though Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus retailers had the same basic store structure, the differences are noticeably visible in the costumer’s eyes. Entering into Neiman Marcus, customers have the feeling of having found a high-class store. This sensation makes Nordstrom rank as a store for people with an average purchasing power. Meaning, people of upper middle class. Similar to Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus has a showcase on both sides of the main door. The peculiar and different between both stores is reflected in the modern glass structure of the Neiman Marcus showcase, in which the facade of the main door is made, together with its shop windows or showcase. That structure provides it a luxurious touch of the last architecturally speaking trend. Neiman Marcus’ shop windows, unlike those of Nordstrom, they are oversize and have the same height as the main door although, they are wider. They occupy the entire main façade or, almost all of it. In addition, they are always stinging some of the most exclusive seasonal products in fashion in the show window. Neiman Marcus store does not have a central corridor that takes you straight to the central stairs, placed in the center of the store. Nevertheless, we can assume its main corridor or aisle is circular. A great strategy to make customers spend more time in the store and buy products that were not on their list. The first thing you come across when entering the store is a welcoming mannequin (in form of an elegant

Urban Outfitters is a popular clothing and accessory store that was founded in 1970, and generates success from the type of merchandise it retails, as well as through the contemporary culture and ethos that it promotes to its customers. The store has stated that it is targeted towards a specific audience that ranges from eighteen to thirty years old, who are well “educated, [and] urban-minded” (“Urban Outfitters”). Urban Outfitters offers a specific shopping experience that is unique to its store, because it focuses on a well-defined audience that is attracted by its modern environment and trendy clothes. Many individuals are unconsciously lured into the store first by the placement of the store itself, then by what the consumer can see in the front windows, and lastly by the specific and well thought out placement of the store’s merchandise. It is evident that the theories regarding retail geography defined by Paco Underhill, including the stores location, the decompression zone, the invariant right, destination items, the

The mission of Nordstrom is to provide outstanding service every day, one customer at a time by offering the customer the best possible selection, quality and value. And their vision is to serve their customers better, to always be relevant in their lives and to form lifelong relationships and while serving their customer face-to-face is the foundation of how they’ve historically served them. Today, customers seek their

The most important component of Nordstrom's retail mix is its customer service. The retail environment is completely customer driven and giving the customer satisfaction in every possible manner is very important. The point of view that ‘Service Pays’ is accepted by the retailer today

Kohl’s is a family-focused, value-oriented department store and website. Kohl’s mission: “To be the leading family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering quality exclusive and national brand merchandise to the customer in an environment that is convenient, friendly, and exciting.”1 In fact, the last fifteen years Kohl’s has remained true to their mission of operating as a family oriented department store featuring quality, name brand merchandise at an excellent value to its customers.2 By opening other stores throughout the U.S. during years 2000–2010 Kohl’s sales grew by leaps and bounds. Kohl’s strategy again, was simple and true to its core mission: affordable clothing, great customer service, easy to navigate stores

Macy's is one of the premier retailer franchises within the United States. To begin, Macy's Inc. is one of the nation's largest and well known department store chains. Started over 150 years ago, Macy's has continually generated excellent returns for its shareholders and employees. Currently, in the midst of a global recession, Macy's has generated huge profits with same store sales increasing 5.3% year to date. In 2012 same store sales increased 4.6% in the month of February alone (Macy's Inc., 2012). In fact, throughout the duration of 2012, Macy's is projecting even larger profits for its underlying business operations. Even though Macy's has experienced success with both its assortments and brand, its competitors haven't faired so well. Sears, due in part to part to a lackluster holiday season, has been forced to close nearly 120 locations to generate excess liquidity in an effort to shore up its balance sheet (Isadora, 2011).Other competitors who cater specifically to the middle class consumer have also lost significant amounts of market share as consumers trade down due to the economy. Macy's, with its ride array of assortments and products continues to grow as it attempts to capture market share from failing competitors. Macy's is also unique as it operates in a unique market

In this report, I am researching Nordstrom in order to gain information on if this company would be a good company for an undergraduate student to complete an internship with. I plan on finding out information on topics such as company culture, financial analysis, growth, and competition. I will look deeply into the company’s strengths and weaknesses in order to learn about sustainability and potential for long-term employment.

The technology changes affecting REI are not unique to the company. Nationwide, consumers are ‘wisening up’ to new technologies and they are increasingly demanding expanded services from the companies they do business with. While the dot com revolution of the early 2000’s projected the death of traditional brick-and-mortar stores, the reality today is that customers are demanding comprehensive shopping experiences, experiences that seamlessly integrate online shopping with visits to traditional stores. For example, an REI customer might choose to purchase a pair of La Sportiva Rock Shoes in-store, order them online and pick them up from a store, or purchase online and have the shoes shipped directly to their home. Technology is not just

Perception is important in an organizational culture. Perception is a “process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment.” (Judge & Robbins, 2011) Nordstrom has a culture of autonomy, empowerment, good judgment, and above all good customer service. The leadership communicates the company history and goals through story telling so that employees can understand the importance of customer service to the organization. For example, in 1978 a customer returned a tire to the store, the employee asked for the receipt and returned the money to the customer. When working for Nordstrom as a seasonal employee, the tire story was shared with the new employees and is currently being shared with new employees. What I perceived the organization to be is one of standing by their claim of superior customer service, using good judgment, and the customer is always right.

The "Reinvent Yourself" campaign was a showy display of “bright new colors and hip music” (Martinez, 2000). Store mannequins were outfitted in the most “cutting-edge fashions,” and trendy advertisements urged customers to try new things (Martinez). At its time, this 40 million dollar campaign was the largest and most expensive campaign in company history. It was quite a bold decision on the firm’s part. It incorporated not only print and billboard advertisements, but also television spots.

We don’t rely on promotions, be it one-day sales, coupons, or “friends of friends” sales. We think our regular pricing has to have integrity.” Fifth is presentation, where the stores image is determined. Nordstrom is known for its relaxed upscale image. Sixth is personnel or customer service, where employees assist customers with their shopping experience. Nordstrom’s personnel are outstanding while they may not serve customers champagne they definitely will go out of their way to assist customers. I think that their personnel have to be the reason behind their success. Whether the story about the customer buying one shoe or the customer returning tires are true or not, gives the current and potential customers a sense of comfort and good customer service beats prices any day.

Zappos.com, established in 1999, has rapidly become a strong competitor in online apparel and footwear sales. With the original corporate vison of offering the absolute best selection in shoes; the vision has evolved over the past several years to include the goal of being the retailer that “provides the absolute best service online -- not just in shoes, but in any category” (Zappos, 2014). The online retailer stocks millions of reasonably priced footwear products; carrying thousands of hard to find brand named shoes, handbags, apparel and accessories via the company website and 7,000 affiliate partners. In recognizing their rapid success, Zappos credits it to their commitment to the customer, stating,

Store ownership and management- It has many directly opened stores and are managed by themselves, which makes the product supply smooth and strong.