Retail Institutions by Store-Based Strategy Mix

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Retailer Strategy Mix• A strategy mix is the firm’s particular

combination of:store location, operating procedures, goods/services offered, pricing tactics, store atmosphere, customer services, and promotional methods

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Earning Destination Retailer Status

Be price oriented and cost efficientBe upscale Be convenientOffer a dominant assortment Offer superior customer serviceBe innovative or exclusive

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Figure 5.1 The Wheel of Retailing

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Three Basic Strategic Positions

Low endMediumHigh end

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Figure 5.2 Retail Strategy Alternatives

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Figure 5.3 Scrambled Merchandising by a Shoe Store

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Retail Life Cycle

• Retail institutions pass through identifiable life stagesintroductiongrowthmaturitydecline

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Figure 5.4 Retail Life Cycle

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How Retail Institutions are Evolving

Mergers, Diversification, DownsizingCost-Containment and Value-Driven

Retailing

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Mergers, Diversification, and Downsizing

Mergers: combination of separately owned firms.

Diversification: retailers become active in businesses outside their normal operations.

Downsizing: unprofitable stores are closed or divisions are sold off.

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Methods for Cost ContainmentStandardizing procedures, store layouts, store

size, and product offeringsUsing secondary locationsPlacing stores in smaller communities Using inexpensive construction materialsUsing plainer fixtures and displaysBuying refurbished equipmentJoining cooperative buying and advertisingCreatively financing inventories

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Table 5.1 Store-Based Retail Strategy Mixes

Food Oriented Convenience store Conventional

supermarket Food-based

superstore Combination store Box (limited-line)

store Warehouse store

General Merchandise Specialty store Traditional department Full-line discount store Variety store Off-price chain Factory outlet Membership club Flea market

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Convenience Store Strategy Mix

Location:Neighborhood

Merchandise:Medium width and low depth of assortment; average quality

Prices:Average to

Above average

Atmosphere andServices:Average

Promotion:Moderate

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Conventional Supermarket Strategy Mix

Location:Neighborhood

Merchandise:Extensive width

and depth of assortment; average quality; manufacturer,

private, and generic brands

Prices:Competitive

Atmosphere andServices:Average

Promotion:Heavy use of

newspapers, flyers, and coupons

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Food-Based Superstore Strategy Mix

Location:Community shopping center or isolated site

Merchandise:Full assortment plus health

and beauty aids and general merchandise

Prices:Competitive

Atmosphere andServices:Average

Promotion:Heavy use of

newspapers, flyers

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Combination Store Strategy Mix

Location:Community shopping center

or isolated site

Merchandise:Full assortment plus health

and beauty aids and general merchandise

Prices:Competitive

Atmosphere andServices:Average

Promotion:Heavy use of

newspapers, flyers

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Box Store Strategy Mix

Location:Neighborhood

Merchandise:Low width and depth of

assortment; fewperishables; few national

brands

Prices:Very low

Atmosphere andServices:

Low

Promotion:Little or none

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Warehouse Store Strategy Mix

Location:Secondary site, often in

industrial area

Merchandise:Moderate width and

low depth of assortment; emphasis on

manufacturer brandsbought at discount

Prices:Very low

Atmosphere andServices:

Low

Promotion:Little or none

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Specialty Store Strategy Mix

Location:Business district or

shopping center

Merchandise:Very narrow width and

extensive depth of assortment; average to

good quality

Prices:Competitive to Above average

Atmosphere andServices:

Average to excellent

Promotion:Heavy use of displaysExtensive sales force

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Traditional Department Store Strategy Mix

Location:Business district, shopping

center or isolated store

Merchandise:Extensive width and

depth of assortment; average to

good quality

Prices:Average to

Above average

Atmosphere andServices:

Good to excellent

Promotion:Heavy ad and catalog

use; direct mail; personal selling

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Full-line Discount Store Strategy Mix

Location:Business district, shopping

center or isolated store

Merchandise:Extensive width and

depth of assortment; average to

good quality

Prices:Competitive

Atmosphere/ Services:Slightly below

average to average

Promotion:Heavy on newspapers;price-oriented; selling

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Variety Store Strategy Mix

Location:Business district, shopping

center or isolated store

Merchandise:Good width and some depth of assortment;

below-average to average quality

Prices:Average

Atmosphere/ Services:Below average

Promotion:Use of newspapers

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Off-Price Chain Strategy Mix

Location:Business district, shopping

center or isolated store

Merchandise:Moderate width and

poor depth of assortment;

average to good quality;low continuity

Prices:Low

Atmosphere/ Services:Below average

Promotion:Use of newspapers;

brands not advertised;limited selling

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Factory Outlet Strategy Mix

Location:Out of the way site

or discount mall

Merchandise:Moderate width and

poor depth of assortment;

low continuity

Prices:Very Low

Atmosphere/ Services:Very low

Promotion:Little

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Membership Club Strategy Mix

Location:Isolated store or

secondary site

Merchandise:Moderate width and

poor depth of assortment;

low continuity

Prices:Very Low

Atmosphere/ Services:Very low

Promotion:Little;

some direct mail

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Flea Market Strategy Mix

Location:Isolated store

Merchandise:Extensive width and

poor depth of assortment;

low continuity; variable quality

Prices:Very Low

Atmosphere/ Services:Very low

Promotion:Limited