Nike 's Offensive Competitive Advantage

In this paper, we present an elaborate analysis of the marketing mix employed by Nike in its marketing strategy. The marketing mix is conducted on the basis of the concept of "marketing mix" which is usually referred to as the "4Ps" as an important means of effectively interpreting as well as translating the marketing strategy into practice as noted by Bennett (1997).A recommendation is also provided.

There are hundreds of name brands that millions around the world use to represent who they are as a person and their personality. Typically name brands have celebrities, athletes, and models broadcast the clothes by wearing them and making commercials so the people behind the screens can look exactly like the people wearing them first. There are companies like Nike that are known to mainly be a sports name-brand company and is loved and worn by millions. Unfortunately, many do not know what exactly happens behind the scenes where the clothes, shoes, and accessories are being made.

6). This strategy is a major component of Nike’s business strategic level plan. In applying this strategy, Nike has attained a great deal of consumer insight, which it uses to offer uniquely designed premium products to the athletes. Still on product differentiation, Nike focuses more on research and development at a greater level. These unique features to Nike, have transformed the competition levels in this competitive industry, leading to a trend of a paradigm shift in the market. Most consumers opt for Nike branded sports products and apparels, at the expense of the other brand names.

Adidas is one of the most famous manufacturers of top-quality sporting goods. It is the market leader in sporting good alongside with its competitive rival Nike. It also consists of Reebok Sportswear Company.They produce different types and variety of products to all age categories such as bags, shoes, shirts and more. The Adidas group, headquartered in Herzogenaurach (Germany) started in 18th August 1920 by Adolf Dassler. Adidas witnessed its first international success in 1954 and that is when the German have won the soccer world championship. Adidas has 169 branches worldwide and total revenue of 11.9 M Euros. Adidas is well known of sponsoring many sports events such as world cup or Olympics in addition to the use of its products

Firms undertake a situational analysis and planning process to identify and justify appropriate marketing opportunities for growth. This report provides an introduction to Nike with a background to the Company, its history and its product.

Adidas is a sportswear manufacturing company started by Adolf Dassler. Adidas group has incorporated brands including Adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade-Adidas and Rockport. The wings of the company are widespread and have assimiliated other productions including handbags, shirts, spectacles, watches, balls, and sportswear. Adidas is being the largest company that sells footwear in the European market and have achieved a momentous market share at the global platform. Adidas has achieved phenomenal sale and have reached the pinnacle of success on the global scale with other international footwear companies (McDonald & Milne, 1999).

Brands use different strategies to create competitive advantages to beat with their rivals. Some companies use “Overall Cost Leadership” to increase profit by reducing costs and increase market share by lowering price. Some companies use “Focus Strategies” to select a group of market and tailor its strategy to serve that group. The others use “Product Differentiation” as a strategy to obtain a premium price by making unique products. Nike, with its differentiation strategy, the company is continuing to separate its self from the competitors by using its superior technology and innovation. This paper mainly discusses on the company’s product differentiation and analysis how the company using this strategy to build its brand image and become a market leader in sportswear industry. A brief discuss about Nike competitive advantage which related to its broad differentiation aspect and the company product life cycle are also presented on this paper.

Adidas AG sells sports shoes, apparel, and equipment in 170 different countries. There focus lies in football, soccer, basketball, running, training gear, golf, and apparel. This is a two billion dollar industry and with Adidas being a main cog. They also specialize in lifestyle goods including SLVR and Y-3 fashion brands. They have trademarked their three-striped logo that has become a global symbol of sporting excellence. They are the #2 sporting goods manufacturer behind only NIKE. Adidas’ main market is the footwear manufacturing industry. Research and development is what gives Adidas a competitive advantage. They focus many

Nike is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. It is not only renown for its high quality athletic apparel but it is also known as one of the best manufacturers and designers for sporty fashion for both the gym and the streets. Nike is among the sole companies that took note that, “Americans are wearing yoga pants, running gear and basketball shoes not just to-and-from the gym, but also around town.” (Fortune). Active wear is suddenly chic. They noticed that Americans find that athletic gear is comfortable after all. Analysts say that the attention manufacturers are making to fabrics and new colors and styles have helped to broaden the category’s appeal. “Active wear is booming, with sales growth exceeding that of the apparel market as a whole, consumers are drawn to its comfort and versatility, and the fact that it still makes a fashion statement.” (NPD analyst Marshal Cohen). Part of Nike’s success in 2015 is because the company altered its marketing strategy, it moved away from a single-slogan approach in favor of a targeted advertising campaign. The company’s social media and Internet based marketing practices and the Nike ID personalization website that allows customers to design their own footwear is one of the few features that makes Nike stand out from the rest. All of this information is provided on ‘Nike Digital Sport’, a part of the company that makes personal performance tracking devices and software that allows the company to obtain user data.

Winning Most Valuable Player of the NBA four times, two Olympic gold medals, and the NBA scoring title, LeBron James is known as one of the greatness athletes of all time. Although LeBron James has become the best of the best, being a famous athlete is not necessary in achieving greatness. Anyone is able to find greatness if they look and work for it. Nike’s “Find Your Greatness” ad campaign uses everyday athletes to attract people of all skill levels to become active and purchase their athletic gear for doing so.

Adidas was established by German Shoemaker Adi Dassler in Herzogenaurach. This brand focus on innovation and quality products that satisfy people’s excitement, and meet the physical challenges (13). They start with the athletic running footwear and currently produce a great range of products like watches, bags, shirts and accessories. They are the second largest manufacture of sportswear products (4).

The popular three stripes logo company, Adidas was first founded in 1924, in Germany. It started out as a sportswear independent company by Rudolf Dassler and Adi and was first named Dassler Shoes. Later, Rudolf left his brother and established his own company in 1948, also known as Puma. Adi then named the company Adidas (Theshoegame.com, 2016).

Adidas Group, as one of the world’s retail leaders in sportswear, has as primary target the sports participants, including high performance athletes, as well as non-athletes who are inspired by those at the highest level of their sport, and those that really love sports as part of their lives.

Adidas is the second largest sportswear and apparels manufacturer (Dogiamis & Vijayashanker, 2009). By far, Adidas holds a market share of 22% (Dogiamis & Vijayashanker, 2009). Adidas had also registered the infamous ‘3 stripes’ as its trademark (Berntson, Jarnemo & Philipson, 2006). The founders of Adidas, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler had the vision of providing athletes with the best suited pair of shoes for their respective sports (Dogiamis & Vijayashanker, 2009). In efforts of achieving that, Adidas is had used the strategy of collaborating with important athletes to gain their insights on the products offered (Berntson, Jarnemo & Philipson, 2006). This contributes to the fact that Adidas had earned

Adidas is a company where Originality meets Actuality. It is fascinating to read about and study as it is very dynamic and has seen major growth since its inception by two bothers, Adi and Rudolf Dassler, in 1948. Soon after it went public, Rudolf Dassler left Adidas to establish Puma, which is still Adidas’ rival. Headquartered in Germany, with a global presence, it has established its mission to be a “Global leader in sporting goods industry” (Datamonitor). Later you will read about its vast market share and goals to further expand in the international market.