Airport Retailing

Airport retailing is basically the presence of many retail services of many products inside the airport for providing enhanced convenience to the people travelling. Airport retailing also delivers a broader variety of merchandizes and is a comparatively easy choice for travelers. As many retailers tend to think that airport retailing is just strategy diversification and market expansion. However, this kind of thinking is expected to lead to negative results related to the perception of airport business as the brands that are found in the airport are of high quality and are considerably the high-end ones.

The factors that are expected to drive the growth of the airport retailing market are rising retail promotion in airports, availability of products at low prices, and rising tourism. The airport retailing market players can further gain from the rising customer airport experiences and fall in jet fuel prices. However, factors such as the prevalence of downtown retail stores, strict government regulations and rules and rising political unrest.

In the last couple of years, airport retailing has witnessed a substantial rise across airports not only in developed regions but also in developing regions. In the last few years. Europe has seen a substantial rise in airport retailing owing to inexpensive air fare and rise in tourism. Furthermore, the growing disposable income of people in the Asia Pacific region and their inclination towards luxurious lifestyle is further expected to trigger the growth of the airport retailing market in the region.

Airport retailing is referred to as the availability of retail services of various products within the airport in order to provide greater convenience to travelers. Airport retailing provides a wider variety of products and is an easy option for travelers. With value customer services as the top priority in the aviation industry, airport retailing is expected to gain momentum over the coming years owing to its feasible services to customers. The provision of goods and services in airports will vary depending on the type of travelers such as business travelers or vacationers and on the manner in which the airport manages domestic and international passengers. It is also subject to the economic, geographic, and demographic specificity of the location of the airport. In addition to the regional feature, airports retailers are also required to meet the unique and specific shopping patterns and needs of air passengers such as speed of the service, convenience, store layout, cleanliness and appearance, and product quality and variety.

Many retailers assume airport retailing just as a market expansion and diversification strategy. However, this perception is likely to lead to negative results if the environment of the airport is not seriously taken into consideration. The quality business proposals in the airport are the ones which comprise a considerate and thorough evaluation of the product and how it visually appeals to the consumer.

The market intelligence publication delves into the possible growth opportunities for the global airport retailing market and the chronological growth of the market throughout the forecast period. It also uniquely provisions required data related to facers such as dynamics influencing the progress in all possible retrospective manner. Several ubiquitous and non-ubiquitous trends have also been mentioned in the study. An outlook of extensive nature keeping in mind the Porter’s five forces analysis has been provided to make the vendor landscape transparent to the reader. The report further reaches out to point out accomplishments related to R&D, acquisitions, mergers, and crucial partnerships and verifications. The companies in limelight have been analyzed on market shares, products, and key strategies.

Global Airport Retailing Market: Trends and Opportunities

The global airport retailing market is projected to expand at a significant rate over the next couple of years owing to the growth in the tourism sector, rising income of the middle class across the globe, and easy accessibility of brands. By type, the global airport retailing market can be segmented into supermarkets, specialty retailers, department store, and direct retailer. The segment of direct retailer has been estimated to lead the market in the coming years accounting for the leading market share until 2025. Stores such as Levi’s, Hugo Boss, and Lacoste are known for generating maximum revenue. In terms of airport size, large airports are expected to emerge dominant in the global airport retailing market.

The global airport retailing market is expected to grow tremendously owing to the rising promotional activities by companies and individual brands and incessantly growing passenger traffic. Retailing has turned out to be the leading source of income for airports across the globe. This can be attributed to the rise in the number of air travelers and enhanced duty-free shopping experience. The market for global airport retailing is also expected to be driven by the growing demand for local destination products.

Global Airport Retailing Market: Regional Outlook

Over the last couple of years, Europe has witnessed immense progress in the market for airport retailing owing rising investments in retail services in airports, feasible air fares, and upsurge in tourism. Moreover, due to several projects in pipeline such as refurbishments, renovation of current airports, and expansion and development of new terminals, the market is expected to witness tremendous growth. Owing to development of high-end airports in countries such as China and India, Asia Pacific is likely to grow at a significant rate.

Global Airport Retailing Market: Companies Mentioned in the Report

Some of the chief players in the airport retailing market are World Duty Free Group, Dubai Duty Free, Duty Free America, Gebr. Heinemann, Dufry, and Autogrill.

The reports at TMR Research provide qualitative solutions that break the barriers of doubt or uncertainties when the stakeholders plan to expand their growth reach. The researchers compile the necessary information that enlightens the CXOs about the current growth opportunities in a specific market and enables them to make the most of the opportunities.

TMR Research is a leader in developing well-researched reports. The expertise of the researchers at TMR Research makes the report stand out from others. TMR Research reports help the stakeholders and CXOs make impactful decisions through a unique blend of innovation and analytical thinking. The use of innovation and analytical thinking while structuring a report assures complete and ideal information of the current status of the market to the stakeholders.

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Advantages of Airport Retailing

  • The operation time for stores can have longer working hours.
  • Stores can remain open for all days of the week.
  • Airport retail stores have a good and consecutive footfall throughout the year.
  • Regular fresh display placement helps in faster stock movement.
  • The exposure that the brand gets is higher than that of any other retail store.
  • The brand becomes easily available to tourists and business officials from all across the globe thus, in turn, increasing its accessibility.

Disadvantages of Airport Retailing

  • Replenishing merchandise and stocking shelves is much difficult than normal.
  • Rent for the airport retail outlets is exceptionally high.
  • Space at retail outlets of an airport is limited.
  • Getting security approval takes a lot of time as it’s a long-term procedure.
  • The list of requirements listed by the airport authority needs to be satisfied before permission is granted.
  • Provide training to the staff in order to compete with the e-commerce business, provide exceptional customer service, etc.

Strategies:

Accurate Trend Analysis

Keeping up with the latest trends is crucial in any business or sector. While stakeholders are aware of the trends that are on the surface, TMR Researchers find trends that are deeply entrenched in the particular market or sector. The reports are constantly updated with the latest trends so that the stakeholders and CXOs can derive benefits from the trends and generate good revenues.

Current and Future Threats

Along with studying the opportunities necessary for growth, threats are also an important aspect to look upon for the companies and stakeholders in a specific sector. TMR Research studies every negative aspect that will hinder the growth of a specific area of business and includes it in the report. The stakeholders and CXOs will have the benefit of assessing the threat and take the necessary steps to prevent the hindrance caused due to the threats.

Regional Assessment

Demography forms an important part of the growth pattern of all the markets. Diving deep into the demographics enables maximum output from specific areas. The TMR Research team assesses every region and picks out the vital points that have a large impact on the growth of a market.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the growth projections of numerous sectors and businesses. The analysts at TMR Research have conducted a conscientious survey on the markets after the pandemic struck. The analysts have put forth their brilliant and well-researched opinions in the report. The opinions will help the stakeholders to plan their strategy accordingly.

Industrial Analogy

The analysts at TMR Research conduct an all-round analysis on the competitive landscape of the market. The observations recorded by the analysts are added to the reports so that every stakeholder gets a glimpse of the competitive scenario and frame their business plans according to the situation.

Franchising: Meaning, Types, Advantages and Limitations, Franchising in India

Franchising is based on a marketing concept which can be adopted by an organization as a strategy for business expansion. Where implemented, a franchisor licenses some or all of its know-how, procedures, intellectual property, use of its business model, brand, and rights to sell its branded products and services to a franchisee. In return the franchisee pays certain fees and agrees to comply with certain obligations, typically set out in a franchise agreement.

The word “franchise” is of Anglo-French derivation from franc, meaning free and is used both as a noun and as a (transitive) verb. For the franchisor, use of a franchise system is an alternative business growth strategy, compared to expansion through corporate owned outlets or “chain stores”. Adopting a franchise system business growth strategy for the sale and distribution of goods and services minimizes the franchisor’s capital investment and liability risk.

Franchising is not an equal partnership, especially due to the legal advantages the franchisor has over the franchisee. But under specific circumstances like transparency, favourable legal conditions, financial means and proper market research, franchising can be a vehicle of success for both franchisor and franchisee.

Thirty-six countries have laws that explicitly regulate franchising, with the majority of all other countries having laws which have a direct or indirect effect on franchising. Franchising is also used as a foreign market entry mode.

Fees and Contract arrangement

Three important payments are made to a franchisor:

(a) A royalty for the trademark

(b) Reimbursement for the training and advisory services given to the franchisee

(c) A percentage of the individual business unit’s sales. These three fees may be combined in a single ‘management’ fee.

A fee for “disclosure” is separate and is always a “front-end fee”.

A franchise usually lasts for a fixed time period (broken down into shorter periods, which each require renewal), and serves a specific territory or geographical area surrounding its location. One franchisee may manage several such locations. Agreements typically last from five to thirty years, with premature cancellations or terminations of most contracts bearing serious consequences for franchisees. A franchise is merely a temporary business investment involving renting or leasing an opportunity, not the purchase of a business for the purpose of ownership. It is classified as a wasting asset due to the finite term of the license.

Types:

Manufacturing Franchising:

Under this arrangement, the franchisor (manufacturer) gives the dealer (bottler) the exclusive right to produce and distribute the product in a particular area. This type of franchising is commonly used in the soft-drink industry.

Product Franchising:

This is the earliest type of franchising. Under this, dealers were given the right to distribute goods for a manufacturer. For this right, the dealer pays a fee for the right to sell the trademarked goods of the producer. Product franchising was used, perhaps for the first time, by the Singer Corporation during the 1800s to distribute its sewing machines. This practice subsequently became popular in the petroleum and automobile industries also.

Business-format Franchising:

This is recent type of franchising and is the most popular one at present. This is the type that most people today mean when they use the term franchising. In the United States, this form accounts for nearly three-fourth of all franchised outlets.

Business-format franchising is an arrangement under which the franchisor offers a wide range of services to the franchisee, including marketing, advertising, strategic planning, training, production of operations manuals and standards and quality control guidance.

Franchising in India

  1. Trade-name Franchising:

When franchisee purchases the right to use the franchisor’s trade name without actually distributing the specific trade mark products exclusively using the name of the franchisor, this is called ‘trade-name franchising.’

  1. Product Distribution Franchising:

Such franchising involves a system in which a franchisor gives license to the franchisee to sell the specific products under the trademark and brand name of the franchisor. This type of franchising is commonly used to market automobiles (such as Chevrolet), soft-drinks (such as Coca-Cola) and appliances. It is worth mentioning that these two types of franchising give franchisees some sort of franchisor’s identity.

  1. Pure Franchising:

When franchisor sells the complete business format and system of his/her product to the franchisee, it is called ‘pure franchising.’ In other words, this type of franchising provides the franchisee with a complete business format including license for a trade name, the product or service to be marketed, the physical plant, methods of operation, a marketing strategy plan, a quality control process, and so on. Such type of franchising is common among fast-food restaurants (such as McDonalds) hotels, educational institutions (such as Delhi Public School, (DPS), and many others.

Franchising is an old concept in use for long time in the business world. Some trace out the history of franchising dating back to the mid-nineteenth century when Isaac Singer decided to improve the distribution of his sewing machines, i.e., ‘Singer.’ Nowadays, franchising has become a common business format especially in the businesses with a good track record of profitability and businesses which are easily duplicated.

Advantages:

Franchising arrangement is a symbiotic one for the franchisor and the franchisee, nonetheless franchising is particularly beneficial for the franchisee.

Following are, for example, the distinct advantages that franchising provides to the franchisee:

(i) Franchising makes the task of getting started easier because the franchisee gets a business format already market tested and found to work. Hence, buying a franchise is so far safer than trying to start a business.

(ii) It reduces chances for failure. Here, what is significant to mention is that fewer than 10 per cent of all franchise fail. In dramatic contrast with this is the fact that two out of every five entrepreneurs who start on their own fail within three years, and eight out of every ten fail within ten years.

(iii) A well-established franchise brings with it the very important advantage of recognition. Many new businesses experience lean months, or years, after start-up. Obviously, the longer the period the business must experience it, the greater the chances of failure. With the well-tested franchise, this period of agony may reduce to only weeks, or perhaps just days.

(iv) Franchising may increase the franchisee’s purchasing power also. Because, being part of a large and that too proprietor organization means paying less for a variety of things such as supplies equipment, inventory, services, insurance, and so on. It also can mean getting better service from suppliers because of the importance of the organisation (franchisor) of you (franchisee) is part.

(v) One gets the benefit of the franchisor’s research and development in improving the product.

(vi) The franchisee has the protected or privileged rights to franchise within a given area.

(vii) As compared with other forms of new business, the prospects of obtaining loan facilities from the banks and financial institutions in case of franchising are also improved.

Disadvantages:

In-spite of above benefits, franchising is not an unmixed blessing. There are some disadvantages as well associated with a franchise arrangement.

(i) Unlike entrepreneurs who start their own business, the franchisees find no room or scope for enjoying their creativity especially in case of ‘pure franchising.’ They have to work as per the business-format given by the franchisor. One classic example of regimentation in franchising can be found in the McDonald’s restaurant business-format.

A McDonald’s franchise is given very little operational latitude; indeed, the operations manual attends to such minor details as when to boil the bearings on the potato slicer. The purpose of these restrictions is not to frustrate the franchisees, but to ensure that each outlet is rim in a uniform, correct manner.

(ii) A number of restrictions are also imposed upon the franchisees. Restrictions may relate to remain confined to product line or a particular geographical location only.

(iii) Franchisees usually do not have the right to sell their businesses to the highest bidder or to leave it to a member of their family without approval from the franchisor.

(iv) Though the franchisee can build up goodwill for his or her business by his or her efforts, goodwill still remains the property of the franchisor.

(v) The franchisee may become subject to fail with the failure of the franchisor.

(vi) Another disadvantage franchisees face is that franchisors generally reserve the option to buy back an outlet upon termination of the contract. Many franchisees become vulnerable to this option. As such, they operate under the constant fear of, non-renewal of the franchise arrangement. Then, a question arises is that do these disadvantages mean that franchising is no longer a desirable way to go into small business? Certainly not. Franchising is a proven and complete business concept world-wide.

In fact, what do they really mean is that the security that some people associate with franchising is an illusion? Hard work, realistic expectations, and very careful investigation are required if becoming a franchisee is to be a successful and satisfying experience. This underlines the need for a perspicacious evaluation of a franchising arrangement. This is discussed subsequently.

Multi-Channel Retailing, Features, Types, Advantages, Disadvantages

Multi-Channel Retailing is a strategic approach employed by retailers to engage and sell to consumers through various channels beyond traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This includes online websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, catalogs, and telephone sales, among others. The aim is to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience, allowing them to interact with and purchase from the retailer through multiple touchpoints at their convenience. By leveraging diverse channels, retailers can expand their reach, cater to different shopping preferences, and enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Multi-Channel Retailing Features:

  • Diverse Sales Platforms

Multi-channel retailing utilizes various platforms for sales and customer engagement, including physical stores, online websites, mobile applications, social media, catalogs, and call centers. This diversity allows retailers to reach customers wherever they prefer to shop.

  • Integrated Customer Experience

A crucial feature of successful multi-channel retailing is the integration of customer experiences across channels. Retailers strive to provide a consistent brand message, product availability, and service quality whether the customer shops online, in-store, or through a mobile app.

  • Personalization and Customization

By leveraging data across channels, retailers can personalize marketing messages, offers, and shopping experiences to individual customer preferences and behaviors, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

  • Flexibility and Convenience

Multi-channel retailing offers customers the flexibility to choose how they browse, make purchasing decisions, and complete transactions. Customers can research products online, buy them through an app, and choose between home delivery or in-store pickup, for example.

  • Enhanced Data Collection

Operating across multiple channels enables retailers to collect a wide range of data on customer behavior, preferences, and feedback. This data is invaluable for improving product offerings, customer service, and marketing strategies.

  • Increased Reach

Retailers can expand their market reach beyond geographical limitations, accessing customers in remote or underserved areas through online and mobile channels, thereby increasing their potential customer base.

  • Channel-Specific Marketing

Multi-channel retailing allows for channel-specific marketing strategies that cater to the unique characteristics and customer segments of each channel, optimizing marketing effectiveness and efficiency.

  • Risk Diversification

By not relying on a single sales channel, retailers can mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations, channel-specific issues, or changing consumer behaviors.

  • Operational Flexibility

Retailers can shift focus and resources between channels as needed to respond to market trends, seasonal demand variations, and other external factors, ensuring operational resilience.

  • Cross-Channel Synergies

Effective multi-channel retailing creates synergies between channels, where the strengths of one channel can support and enhance the performance of others, leading to overall growth and profitability.

Multi-Channel Retailing Types:

  1. Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Traditional physical retail locations where customers can browse, try, and buy products in person. These stores offer the advantage of tactile experiences and immediate gratification.

  1. Online Stores (Ecommerce Websites)

Websites that allow consumers to browse and purchase products or services online. Online stores are accessible 24/7 and offer a wide range of products, detailed information, and customer reviews.

  1. Mobile Applications

Retail apps on smartphones and tablets that provide a convenient shopping experience for consumers on the go. These apps often offer features like personalized notifications, exclusive deals, and augmented reality (AR) experiences.

  1. Social Media Platforms

Retailers use social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to engage with consumers, showcase products, and even facilitate direct sales through social commerce features.

  1. Marketplaces

Online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, where multiple retailers and individual sellers offer their products. Marketplaces expand a retailer’s reach and provide access to established customer bases.

  1. Catalogs

Printed or digital catalogs mailed to customers or available online, offering a curated selection of products. Catalogs can drive sales directly or lead customers to visit physical stores or websites.

  1. Television Home Shopping

Channels and programs dedicated to selling products directly to consumers through TV broadcasts. Viewers can purchase items by calling in or visiting the broadcaster’s website.

  1. Pop-Up Shops

Temporary retail spaces that open for a short period to offer exclusive products, test new markets, or create buzz around a brand. Pop-ups provide a unique, immersive brand experience.

  1. Kiosks

Small, often temporary, stand-alone booths located in high-traffic areas like shopping malls, airports, and train stations. Kiosks are useful for selling niche products, offering product demonstrations, or providing automated services.

  1. Vending Machines

Automated machines that sell products—ranging from snacks and beverages to electronics and cosmetics—without the need for human sellers. Vending machines offer convenience and 24/7 availability.

  1. Direct Mail

Personalized marketing materials sent directly to consumers’ homes. While more traditional, direct mail can be highly effective for certain target demographics and products.

  1. Call Centers

Dedicated centers that handle customer orders, inquiries, and service issues over the phone. Call centers can provide a personal touch and detailed product information.

Multi-Channel Retailing Advantages:

  • Increased Reach and Market Penetration

Retailers can expand their market presence and reach a broader audience by utilizing multiple channels. This approach allows businesses to connect with customers who have different shopping preferences and habits.

  • Enhanced Customer Experience

By offering multiple channels for shopping and engagement, retailers can provide a more flexible and convenient shopping experience. Customers can choose their preferred method of interaction, whether it’s online, in-store, or through a mobile app, enhancing overall satisfaction.

  • Higher Sales and Revenue

Multi-channel retailing can lead to increased sales as it taps into different customer segments and markets. The convenience and accessibility of multiple channels can encourage more frequent purchases and attract new customers.

  • Improved Customer Insights

Operating across multiple channels generates a wealth of data on customer behavior, preferences, and feedback. Retailers can analyze this data to gain valuable insights, allowing for more targeted marketing, product development, and personalized customer experiences.

  • Greater Brand Visibility

Being present on multiple channels naturally increases a brand’s visibility and awareness. Each channel acts as a touchpoint, reinforcing the brand and keeping it top of mind among consumers.

  • Competitive Advantage

Retailers that successfully manage a multi-channel strategy can differentiate themselves from competitors who may not be as diversified. This advantage is crucial in crowded marketplaces where standing out is essential for success.

  • Risk Mitigation

Diversifying sales and engagement channels can help spread risk. If one channel underperforms due to market changes or other factors, the retailer can rely on other channels to sustain the business.

  • Synergy Between Channels

Channels can complement and support each other, creating a synergistic effect that enhances the overall retail strategy. For example, online research can lead to in-store purchases, and social media engagement can drive online sales.

  • Opportunities for Personalization

Multi-channel retailing enables retailers to personalize the shopping experience more effectively. By understanding customer interactions across different channels, retailers can tailor communications, offers, and experiences to individual preferences.

  • Flexibility and Adaptability

Having multiple channels provides retailers with the flexibility to quickly adapt to market trends, consumer behaviors, and technological advancements. This adaptability is critical in today’s fast-paced retail environment, where staying relevant and responsive to customer needs is paramount.

Multi-Channel Retailing Disadvantages:

  • Increased Complexity

Managing operations across multiple channels significantly increases the complexity of business operations. Retailers must navigate different systems for inventory, ordering, fulfillment, and customer service, which can strain resources and increase the likelihood of errors.

  • Higher Costs

Implementing and maintaining a presence on multiple channels requires substantial investment in technology, systems integration, staff training, and marketing. These costs can be particularly burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited budgets.

  • Consistency Challenges

Ensuring a consistent brand image, customer experience, and product availability across all channels can be challenging. Inconsistencies can lead to customer dissatisfaction and harm the brand’s reputation.

  • Inventory Management Issues

Coordinating inventory across multiple channels can be complex, especially for businesses that do not have integrated inventory management systems. This can result in stock discrepancies, overselling, or difficulty in meeting demand in specific channels.

  • Channel Conflict

Different channels can sometimes compete with each other for sales, leading to internal conflicts. For example, physical stores might feel undercut by online channels offering lower prices or exclusive promotions.

  • Dilution of Customer Experience

Attempting to cater to all channels might lead some retailers to spread their efforts too thinly, resulting in a diluted and less satisfactory customer experience across the board.

  • Data Overload and Analysis Paralysis

The vast amount of data generated from multiple channels can be overwhelming for retailers to analyze and act upon effectively. Without proper analytics tools and expertise, valuable insights may be lost, and decision-making can become paralyzed.

  • Cybersecurity Risks

Operating across digital channels increases the exposure to cybersecurity risks. Retailers must invest in securing customer data and transactions, which adds to the cost and complexity of multi-channel retailing.

  • Customer Service Challenges

Providing consistent and high-quality customer service across all channels can be challenging, especially if each channel operates in silos. Customers expect seamless service whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or through a mobile app.

  • Technological Dependence and Obsolescence

Multi-channel retailing often relies on cutting-edge technology, which can quickly become obsolete. Retailers must continuously invest in technology updates and innovations to stay competitive, which can be costly and resource-intensive.

Retail Formats

The retail format (also known as the retail formula) influences the consumer’s store choice and addresses the consumer’s expectations. At its most basic level, a retail format is a simple marketplace, that is; a location where goods and services are exchanged. In some parts of the world, the retail sector is still dominated by small family-run stores, but large retail chains are increasingly dominating the sector, because they can exert considerable buying power and pass on the savings in the form of lower prices. Many of these large retail chains also produce their own private labels which compete alongside manufacturer brands. Considerable consolidation of retail stores has changed the retail landscape, transferring power away from wholesalers and into the hands of the large retail chains.

In Britain and Europe, the retail sale of goods is designated as a service activity. The European Service Directive applies to all retail trade including periodic markets, street traders and peddlers.

Retail type by product

Food retailers

Retailers carrying highly perishable foodstuffs such as meat, dairy and fresh produce typically require cold storage facilities. Consumers purchase food products on a very regular purchase cycle; e.g. daily, weekly or monthly.

Softline retailers

Softline retailers sell goods that are consumed after a single-use, or have a limited life (typically under three years) in they are normally consumed. Soft goods include clothing, other fabrics, footwear, toiletries, cosmetics, medicines and stationery.

Grocery and convenience retail

Grocery stores, including supermarkets and hypermarkets, along with convenience stores carry a mix of food products and consumable household items such as detergents, cleansers, personal hygiene products. Consumer consumables are collectively known as fast-moving-consumer goods (FMCG) and represent the lines most often carried by supermarkets, grocers and convenience stores. For consumers, these are regular purchases and for the retailer, these products represent high turnover product lines. Grocery stores and convenience stores carry similar lines, but a convenience store (staffed or automated) is often open at times that suit its clientele and may be located for ease of access.

Hardline retailers

Retailers selling consumer durables are sometimes known as hardline retailers; automobiles, appliances, electronics, furniture, sporting goods, lumber, etc., and parts for them. Goods that do not quickly wear out and provide utility over time. For the consumer, these items often represent major purchase decisions. Consumers purchase durables over longer purchase decision cycles. For instance, the typical consumer might replace their family car every 5 years, and their home computer every 4 years.

Specialist retailers

Specialist retailers operate in many industries such as the arts e.g. green grocers, contemporary art galleries, bookstores, handicrafts, musical instruments, gift shops.

Retail types by marketing strategy

Arcade

A shopping arcade refers to a group of retail outlets operating under a covered walkway. Arcades are similar to shopping malls, although they typically comprise a smaller number of outlets. Shopping arcades were the evolutionary precursor to the shopping mall, and were very fashionable in the late 19th century. Stylish men and women would promenade around the arcade, stopping to window shop, making purchases and also taking light refreshments in one of the arcade’s tea-rooms. Arcades offered fashionable men and women opportunities to ‘be seen’ and to socialise in a relatively safe environment. Arcades continue to exist as a distinct type of retail outlet. Historic 19th-century arcades have become popular tourist attractions in cities around the world. Amusement arcades, also known as penny arcades in the US, is more modern incarnation of the eighteenth and nineteenth century shopping arcade.

Anchor store

An anchor store (also known as draw tenant or anchor tenant) is a larger store with a good reputation used by shopping mall management to attract a certain volume of shoppers to a precinct.

Bazaar

The term, ‘bazaar’ can have multiple meanings. It may be referred to Middle-Eastern market places while a ‘penny bazaar’ refers to a retail outlet that specialises in inexpensive or discounted merchandise. In the United States a bazaar can mean a “rummage sale” which describes a charity fundraising event held by a church or other community organization and in which either donated used goods are made available for sale.

Boutique

A Boutique is a small store offering a select range of fashionable goods or accessories. The term, ’boutique’, in retail and services, appears to be taking on a broader meaning with popular references to retail goods and retail services such as boutique hotels, boutique beers (i.e. craft beers), boutique investments etc.

Australia’s Officeworks is a category killer, retailing everything for the home office or small commercial office; stationery, furniture, electronics, communications devices, copying, printing and photography services, coffee, tea and light snacks

Category killer

By supplying a wide assortment in a single category for lower prices a category killer retailer can “kill” that category for other retailers. A category killer is a specialist store that dominates a given category. Toys “R” Us, established in 1957, is thought to be the first category killer, dominating the children’s toys and games market. For a few categories, such as electronics, home hardware, office supplies and children’s toys, the products are displayed at the centre of the store and a sales person will be available to address customer queries and give suggestions when required. Rival retail stores are forced to reduce their prices if a category killer enters the market in a given geographic area. Examples of category killers include Toys “R” Us and Australia’s Bunnings (hardware, DIY and outdoor supplies) and Officeworks (stationery and supplies for the home office and small office). Some category killers redefine the category. For example, Australia’s Bunnings began as a hardware outlet, but now supplies a broad range of goods for the home handyman or small tradesman, including kitchen cabinetry, craft supplies, gardening needs and outdoor furniture. Similarly Officeworks straddles the boundary between stationery supplies, office furniture and digital communications devices in its quest to provide for all the needs of the retail consumer and the small, home office.

Chain store

Chain store is one of a series of stores owned by the same company and selling the same or similar merchandise. Chain stores aim to benefit from volume buying discounts (economies of scale) and achieve cost savings through economies of scope (e.g. centralised warehousing, marketing, promotion and administration) and pass on the cost savings in the form of lower prices.

Apple’s concept stores include video walls, wi-fi and desks to provide an immersive customer experience

Concept store

Concept stores are similar to speciality stores in that they are very small in size, and only stock a limited range of brands or a single brand. They are typically operated by the brand that controls them. Example: L’OCCITANE en Provence. The limited size and offering of L’OCCITANE’s stores is too small to be considered a speciality store. However, a concept store goes beyond merely selling products, and instead offers an immersive customer experience built around the way that a brand fits with the customer’s lifestyle. Examples include Apple’s concept stores, Kit Kat’s concept store in Japan.

Co-operative store

A co-operative store; also known as a co-op or coop, is a venture owned and operated by consumers to meet their social, economic and cultural needs.

Convenience Store

A convenience store provides limited amount of merchandise at above average prices with a speedy checkout. This store is ideal for emergency and immediate purchase consumables as it often operates with extended hours, stocking every day.

Department Store

Department stores are very large stores offering an extensive assortment of both “soft” and “hard” goods which often bear a resemblance to a collection of specialty stores. A retailer of such store carries a variety of categories and has a broad assortment of goods at moderate prices. They offer considerable customer service.

Destination store

A destination store is one that customers will initiate a trip specifically to visit, sometimes over a large area. These stores are often used to “anchor” a shopping center (mall), generating foot traffic, which is capitalized upon by smaller retailers.

Demographic

Retailers that aim at one particular segment (e.g. high-end/ luxury retailers focusing on wealthy individuals or niche market).

Discount store

Discount stores tend to offer a wide array of products and services, but they compete mainly on price. They offer extensive assortments of merchandise at prices lower than other retailers and are designed to be affordable for the market served. In the past, retailers sold less fashion-oriented brands. However, in more recent years companies such as TJX Companies (Own T.J. Maxx and Marshalls) and Ross Stores are discount store operations increasingly offering fashion-oriented brands on a larger scale.

E-tailer

The customer can shop and order through the internet and the merchandise is dropped at the customer’s doorstep or an e-tailer. In some cases, e-retailers use drop shipping technique. They accept the payment for the product but the customer receives the product directly from the manufacturer or a wholesaler. This format is ideal for customers who do not want to travel to retail stores and are interested in home shopping.

A general store in Scarsdale, Victoria, Australia operates as a post-office, newsagent, petrol station, video hire, grocer and take-away food retailer

General merchandise retailer

A general merchandise retailer stocks a variety of products in considerable depth. The types of product offerings vary across this category. Department stores, convenience stores, hypermarkets and warehouse clubs are all examples of general merchandise retailers.

General store

A general store is a store that supplies the main needs of the local community and is often located in outback or rural areas with low population densities. In areas of very low population density, a general store may be the only retail outlet within hundreds of miles. The general store carries a very broad product assortment; from foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals through to hardware and fuel. In addition, a general store may provide essential services such as postal services, banking services, news agency services and may also act as an agent for farm equipment and stock-food suppliers.

Give-away shop

As the name implies, a give-away shop provides goods for free. There are several different models of give-away shop in popular use. One is where goods are free to any shopper; an alternative is that shoppers must provide a product before they can take a product and a third variation is where consumers have the option of taking goods for free or paying any amount that they can afford. For example, Australia’s restaurant group Lentil as Anything operates on a pay whatever you feel is right model.

Hawkers

Hawkers also known as peddlers, costermongers or street vendors; refer to a vendor of merchandise that is readily portable. Hawkers typically operate in public places such as streets, squares, public parks or gardens or near the entrances of high traffic venues such as zoos, music and entertainment venues, but may also call on homes for door-to-door selling. Hawkers are a relatively common sight across Asia.

High Street store

A high street store is a term used widely in the United Kingdom where more than 5,000 High Streets where a variety of stores congregate along a main road. Stores situated in the High Street provide for the needs of a local community, and often give a locality a unique identity.

Hypermarkets

A hypermarket (also known as hypermart) provides variety and huge volumes of exclusive merchandise at low margins. The operating cost is comparatively less than other retail formats; may be defined as “a combined supermarket and discount store, at least 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) or larger, that sells a wide variety of food and general merchandise at a low price.”

Mom-and-pop store

A small retail outlet owned and operated by an individual or family. Focuses on a relatively limited and selective set of products.

Pop-up retail store

A Pop-up retail store is a temporary retail space that opens for a short period of time, possibly opening to sell a specific run of merchandise or for a special occasion or holiday period. The key to the success of a pop-up is novelty in the merchandise.

Retail marketplace

A Marketplace is defined as venue for the retail sales of all products, packed and unpacked where the sale is to end users. In practice, retail markets are most often associated with the sale of fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry, but may also sell small consumable household goods such as cleaning agents. In the Middle East, a market place may be known as a bazaar or souq.

Market square

A market square is a city square where traders set up temporary stalls and buyers browse for purchases. In England, such markets operate on specific days of the week. This kind of market is very ancient, and countless such markets are still in operation around the world.

Shopping center, shopping mall

A shopping center is a collection of shops, often under one roof. Types of shopping centers include super-regional and regional centers (in North America and some other areas, called shopping malls), smaller neighborhood centers (in the U.K. a retail park) and strip malls, and larger specialized centers such as power centers (in the U.K. also considered a type of retail park), lifestyle centers, outlet centers and festival marketplaces. The retail mix in a mall may include outlets such as food and entertainment, grocery, electronics, furniture, gifts and fashion. Malls provide 7% of retail revenue in India, 10% in Vietnam, 25% in China, 28% in Indonesia, 39% in the Philippines, and 45% in Thailand. Shopping centers are typically managed by a central management/ marketing authority which ensures that the center attracts the right type of retailer and an appropriate retail mix.

Speciality store

A speciality/specialty store has a narrow marketing focus either specializing on specific merchandise, such as toys, footwear, or clothing, or on a target audience, such as children, tourists, or plus-size women. Size of store varies some speciality stores might be retail giants such as Toys “R” Us, Foot Locker, and The Body Shop, while others might be small, individual shops such as Nutters of Savile Row. Such stores, regardless of size, tend to have a greater depth of the specialist stock than general stores, and generally offer specialist product knowledge valued by the consumer. Pricing is usually not the priority when consumers are deciding upon a speciality store; factors such as branding image, selection choice, and purchasing assistance are seen as important. They differ from department stores and supermarkets which carry a wide range of merchandise.

Supermarket

A supermarket is a self-service store consisting mainly of grocery and limited products on non-food items. They may adopt a Hi-Lo or an EDLP strategy for pricing. The supermarkets can be anywhere between 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) and 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2). Example: SPAR supermarket.

Variety store

Variety stores offer extremely low-cost goods, with a vast array of selection. The downfall to this is that the items are not very high quality.

Vending machine

A vending machine is an automated piece of equipment wherein customers can drop the money in the machine which dispenses the customer’s selection. The vending machine is a pure self-service option. Machines may carry a phone number which customers can call in the event of a fault.

Some stores take a no frills approach, while others are “mid-range” or “high end”, depending on what income level they target.

Warehouse Club

Warehouse clubs are membership-based retailers that usually sell a wide variety of merchandise, in which customers may buy large, wholesale quantities of the store’s products, which makes these clubs attractive to both bargain hunters and small business owners. The clubs are able to keep prices low due to the no-frills format of the stores. In addition, customers may be required to pay annual membership fees in order to shop.

Warehouse Store

Warehouse stores are retailers housed in warehouses, and offer low-cost, often high-quantity goods with minimal services, e.g. goods are piled on pallets or steel shelves. shopping aisles are narrow and cramped, added-value services such as home delivery are non-existent.

Cause Marketing to Build Brand Equity: Meaning of Cause Marketing, Advantages

Cause marketing is marketing done by a for-profit business that seeks to both increase profits and to better society in accordance with corporate social responsibility, such as by including activist messages in advertising.

A similar phrase, cause-related marketing, usually refers to a subset of cause marketing that involves the cooperative efforts of a for-profit business and a non-profit organization for mutual benefit. A high-profile form of cause-related marketing occurs at checkout counters when customers are asked to support a cause with a charitable donation. Cause marketing differs from corporate giving (philanthropy), as the latter generally involves a specific donation that is tax-deductible, while cause marketing is a promotional campaign not necessarily based on a donation.

This is a central aspect of cause related marketing, since it challenges the idea that cause marketing is efficient when there is an obvious fit between the for profit organization and the cause. Although it seems like a point on which researchers agree upon, some campaigns can actually perform very well without an obvious fit between the brand and the cause. Cause brand fit is a critical issue to address.

Secondary success factors in cause related marketing campaigns are examined with a particularly focus on gender and culture as major factors to take into account. The impact of cause marketing awareness in consumer behaviour and how brands should adjust their strategy belonging to the market will also be observed.

Cause-related advertising can have a powerful impact on customers’ purchasing behavior. Done well, this strategy can help brands:

  • Stand out from the competition. Nearly 90% of Americans would switch to a cause-branded product, if pricing and quality were similar.
  • Build goodwill and awareness. Seventy-seven percent of consumers feel more emotionally connected to and 70% are proud to be associated with a purpose-driven brand.
  • Support the community. Nine in 10 Gen Zers feel companies need to address environmental and social issues.

Advantages

Cause marketing increases brand awareness and exposure for the nonprofit partner. Since non-profits typically have a limited budget for marketing, getting a small business or corporation to partner with them can help get information about their efforts and their cause out in front of consumers they might not otherwise reach. However, there are also huge benefits to the corporate partner.

  • Improving their corporate image.
  • Fulfilling the demand for corporate social responsibility.
  • Increasing brand loyalty.
  • Building a relationship with the community.
  • Boosting employee morale.
  • Standing out from the competition.

Cause Marketing Strategy

Choose a Cause that Aligns with Your Brand

Look for a cause that you and your employees believe in and that naturally fits with your brand identity and values. In other words, define cause-related marketing in your own terms.

Look Beyond Dollar Signs

Raising money is important, but so is offering time and expertise. In one survey, 64% of customers said giving money is not enough; brands should “integrate social good” into their business. Doing so raises awareness of both the cause and your brand. Find a non-financial strategy that ties in your brand’s concept of what cause-related marketing is.

Collaborate

If your definition of cause-related marketing includes supporting a nonprofit, work with that organization to create a mutually beneficial campaign.

Create a Call to Action

Successful cause marketing campaigns do more than showcase a brand’s commitment to social responsibility they inspire your audience to take action.

Use Multiple Media Channels

Dumb Ways to Die, a safety campaign from Metro Trains Melbourne, began with a funny, unforgettable song and added in social campaigns with video outtakes, dolls, and mobile games. User-generated content in the form of parodies took the message even further.

Types

Transactional Campaigns: A corporate donation triggered by a consumer action (e.g. sharing a message social media, making a purchase, etc.) and Non-Transactional Campaigns: A corporate donation to a cause such as in cause sponsorship is not contingent on an explicit action of the consumer.

Point of Sale Campaigns: A donation solicited by a company at the point of sale but made by the consumer (e.g. consumers are asked to round up their purchase or donate a dollar when they check out online or in-stores)

Message-Focused Campaigns: Business resources are used to share a cause-focused message. For example, a campaign that encourages behavior change (e.g. don’t text and drive), drives awareness about an important cause (e.g. talking with elderly parents about driving) or encourages consumer action (e.g. signing a petition to save whales from captivity).

Portion of Purchase: Businesses donate a portion of their sales to a nonprofit or cause.

Pin Ups: Primarily for in-house use. Customers will donate and fill their name on paper icon, which will then be hung up in the store.

Buy One Give One: Businesses will donate a product with comparable value to a designated product based on each sale of that product.

Volunteerism: Rather than asking for a donation, businesses will ask if customers will volunteer their time to a certain organization.

Digital Engagement: Businesses create a “digital experience” using social media and software engineers to spread awareness and raise funds for a cause or nonprofit.

Brand Architecture: Meaning of Brand Architecture, The Brand-Product Matrix

Brand architecture is the structure of brands within an organizational entity. It is the way brands within a company’s portfolio are related to, and differentiated from, one another. According to J.N. Kapferer, the brand architecture should define the different leagues of branding within the organization; how the corporate brand and sub-brands relate to and support each other; and how the sub-brands reflect or reinforce the core purpose of the corporate brand they belong to. Often, decisions about brand architecture are concerned with how to manage a parent brand and a family of sub-brands managing brand architecture to maximize shareholder value can include using brand-valuation model techniques.

One may regard the designing of a brand architecture as an integrated process of brand building through establishing brand relationships among branding options in the competitive environment. The brand architecture of an organization at any time is, in large measure, a legacy of past management decisions as well as of the competitive reality’s brands face in the marketplace.

Types

Corporate brand, umbrella brand, and family brand: Examples include Heinz and Virgin Group. These are consumer-facing brands used across all the firm’s activities, and this name is how they are known to all their stakeholders; consumers, employees, shareholders, partners, suppliers and other parties. These brands may also be used in conjunction with product descriptions or sub-brands: for example Heinz Tomato Ketchup or Virgin Atlantic.

Endorsed brands, and sub-brands: For example, Nestle KitKat, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Sony PlayStation or Polo by Ralph Lauren. These brands include a parent brand which may be a corporate brand, an umbrella brand, or a family brand as an endorsement to a sub-brand or an individual, product brand. The endorsement should add credibility to the endorsed sub-brand in the eyes of consumers.

Individual product brand: For example, Procter & Gamble’s Pampers or Unilever’s Dove. The individual brands are presented to consumers, and the parent company name is given little or no prominence. Other stakeholders, like shareholders or partners, know the producer by its company name.

The Brand-Product Matrix

the product and branding strategy of a firm, one useful tool is the brand-product matrix, a graphical representation of all the brands and products sold by the firm.  In the brand-product matrix all products offered under different brands are represented by columns. This helps marketers understand the current brand line and explore further opportunity in expanding the product line. In the brand-product matrix all current existing brand are represented in form of rows referred to as brand portfolio. The brand portfolio analysis is essential to design and develop new marketing strategies to target a given product category.

  Product
 

 

Brands

  1 2 3
A      
B      
C      
D      

Brand-product matrix helps in showcasing different brands in any given product category. In that respect brand hierarchy is graphical representation of company’s products and its brands. Hierarchical structure starts with corporate brand and then showcases different product category and below brands. This sort of presentation helps devise marketing strategy at many levels and forms.

The columns of the brand-product matrix, on the other hand, represent product-brand relationships and capture the brand portfolio strategy in terms of the number and nature of brands to be marketed in each category. The brand portfolio is the set of all brands and brand lines that a particular firm offers for sale to buyers in a particular category. Thus, a brand portfolio would be one particular column of the matrix. Different brands may be designed and marketed to appeal to different market segments. A brand portfolio must be judged on its ability to collectively maximize brand equity.  Any one brand in the portfolio should not harm or decrease the equity of other brands in the portfolio. In other words, the optimal brand portfolio is one in which each brand maximizes equity in combination with all other brands in the portfolio.

One final set of definitions is useful. A product line is a group of products within a product category that are closely related because they function in a similar manner, are sold to the same customer groups, are marketed through the same type of outlets, or fall within given price ranges. A product line may be composed of different brands or a sin ­gle family brand or individual brand that has been line extended. A product mix (or product assortment) is the set of all product lines and items that a particular seller makes available to buyers. Thus, product lines represent different sets of columns in the brand-product matrix that, in total, make up the product mix. A brand mix (or brand assortment) is the set of all brand lines that a particular seller makes available to buyers

The branding strategy for a firm reflects the number and nature of common and distinctive brand elements applied to the different products sold by the firm. In other words, branding strategy involves deciding which brand names, logos, symbols, and so forth should be applied to which products and the nature of new and existing brand elements to be applied to new products. A branding strategy for a firm can be characterized according to its breadth (i.e., in terms of brand-product relationships and brand extension strategy) and its depth (i.e., in terms of product-brand relationships and the brand portfolio or mix). For example, a branding strategy can be seen as both deep and broad if the firm has a large number of brands, many of which have been extended into various product categories.

Breadth of a Branding Strategy, Depth of a Branding Strategy

Brand strategy is a plan that encompasses specific, long-term goals that can be achieved with the evolution of a successful brand the combined components of your company’s character that make it identifiable.

Brand awareness can be distinguished in terms of two key dimensions depth and breadth. Depth of brand awareness refers to how easily customers can recall or recognize the brand. Breadth of brand awareness refers to the range of purchase and consumption situations where the brand comes to mind. A highly salient brand is one that has both depth and breadth of brand awareness, i.e., such that customers always make sufficient purchases as well as always think of the brand across a variety of settings when it could possibly be employed or consumed.

eds satisfied by the brand contributes to brand equity and helps combat brand parity. The normative model of brand image management suggests that marketers should base their images on a single set of consumer needs (depth strategy), rather than multiple sets of needs (breadth strategy).

Breadth of a Branding Strategy

Being broad in scope. Carrying items in many different product categories. Offering several different types of service under one roof.

This means that you try to offer everything a customer might want, even if it’s only remotely related to your product or service offering. If you are a remodeling company you might do everything from adding a closet, to trimming out some cabinetry, to building a patio, up to a complete kitchen remodel.

A well-defined and executed brand strategy affects all aspects of a business and is directly connected to consumer needs, emotions, and competitive environments.

Depth of a Branding Strategy

Being intense in scope by immersing your business into an industry or product category. Stocking a focused product mix, a specialized service offering.

One example is a landscaping company that does only irrigation systems, or only commercial work. The key word being only.

That word only is a sticking point. Businesses would rather use the term: and more. “Family law, real estate law, injury claims and more.” Which makes a business wide rather than deep? The problem with breadth is that it costs more to be wide. You have to carry more stuff or offer more services, increasing your operating expenses. Breadth also requires lower prices to move your inventory or to win business against a wider field of competitors.

Building global customer-based Brand equity

Strategic brand management’s goal is to develop strong consumer based brand equity. To reach these goal companies have to design and execute well thought marketing programs. However, task does not end at executing marketing programs, companies to have to construct brand equity measurement system to understand the impact of on consumer mind. One thing to understand and accept is that consumer is the king, so focus should always remain towards consumer. If the brand has positive consumer brand equity than it is going to create loyal customer base that is going to respond to marketing initiatives. However, if the brand has negative brand equity than the future of brand and company itself is in danger.

The power of brand equity comes from strength of brand knowledge within consumer mind. Brand knowledge consists of brand awareness and brand image. Brand awareness is the consumer’s ability to be recognized or recall the brand under various circumstances. Brand awareness is about creating deep attachment so that brand can instantly recognize and where-in consumer only thinks of the brand as a consumption option. Brand image is physical elements like logos, symbol, packaging, etc. and besides product itself in terms of quality, service, low maintenance, etc. These types of physical and product related association contributes towards a strong brand image.

Brand knowledge alone cannot be enough to build consumer based brand equity rather other attributes associate play a critical role. Marketing programs developed has to clearly highlight qualities of product in a consistent manner throughout marketing programs. Furthermore, marketing programs should highlight product related and non-product related features as to create impact in consumer mind. Marketing programs developed should not just focus on the differential effect by highlighting a point of difference from competitors but also show points of similarity that has to maintain focus on the product category.

In current times every company is wanting to be a global player, some companies this out of compulsion, for some its natural extension, whatever the case companies need to have marketing programs, which can create and sustain brand equity across geographical boundaries and market segments. However, before studying the global view for marketing strategies, it is important to understand regional market segments, profile, etc.

An interesting phenomenon has raised its head in recent time where companies are focusing on regional markets in an effort to counter globalization. In this regionalization, companies focus on geographic locations treating them as market segments. For example, Pepsi has created four regions within USA to focus on individual market segment and designing a marketing program. The reason why companies are employing a regional approach is that mass markets have to cease to exist, as diversity in form of culture; demographics, etc. are in the forefront. A typical large US city has Asian, Hispanic and African American population, there are by creating a need for marketing programs, which can make products and services reachable to this audience.

The world is becoming flat just no in terms of communication power but also in terms of migration and movement of labour across the globe. Globalization is here to stay and every company is in the fray to take advantage of this phenomenon. There could many reasons for which companies may decide to be a global player. Bigger markets like China and India provide unending opportunities not only as a market but also as production hubs there by reducing overall cost for to be global players. Furthermore, by catering to different markets, companies can reduce the risk as a result of diversification.

It is clear there are many reasons for becoming global player, but there are outright advantages also for global marketing programs. Looking at the production side, as production increases per unit cost of the product will decrease, thereby reducing cost of the marketing program. As standardization increases in packaging, distribution and other marketing activities cost associated with them would decrease. For example, Sony its marketing campaign has universal appeal thereby assigning equal cost to products and geographies. Another advantage is that with global presence and acceptance confidence with consumer reaches altogether a different level. It creates a sense of pride and ownership looking at the universal demand for the product. With the uniform marketing program across geographical boundaries, companies can have consistent brand knowledge, this is especially important for mobile consumers. Furthermore, another advantage for companies is the ability to sell a good product universally at one go, thereby gaining a complete first mover advantage.

But with advantages in operating on a global there are also challenges and disadvantages. With standardization companies are unable to satisfy needs of consumer, which comes with different culture, demographics, etc., For example, consumption of carbonated drinks and beer is much more in USA, Australia in comparison to that of India and China. As perception and needs vary from culture to culture, consumer response to a standard marketing program may not equally have felt as per company acceptation. Every product undergoes a life cycle which begins from the day it is launch in the market, so every geographical location may be having different product life cycle stage, so marketing programs also accordingly have to vary. Other challenge companies face is that of environmental like social, political and regulatory.

Therefore, a brand to succeed across geographical boundaries companies need to device marketing programs, which can create global consumer based brand equity. And for that marketing programs have to highlight point of differences and point of similarities across boundaries. Furthermore, companies should understand brand building is tedious and time consuming. Brand name, logos, symbol has to be designed in a way that it properly communicates brand knowledge and not creates confusion in consumer’s mind. And at the same time construct and execute a global brand equity measurement system so that focus always remains of develop a strong consumer based brand equity.

Brand extension and Brand equity

Brand extensions are one of the most popular strategies for leveraging brand equity. By launching new products under popular brand names, firms hope that consumers will respond more favorably to the new offering, due to their familiarity with the parent brand, positive feelings toward the parent brand, and positive attribute and non-attribute associations they have with the parent brand.

A brand is the identity of a specific product, service, or business. Brand extension denotes to the corporate activity in which companies bring in new products, new product variants or product improvements by leveraging the brand equity of the existing parent brand.

It is believed that compared to launching a new product under a new brand name, brand extensions can increase the efficiency of promotional efforts, improve access to distribution channels, and reduce consumers’ perceived risk of purchasing a product or service (Keller, 2002). Another major factor for which Companies prefer to use brand extension is lower cost. Introducing a new brand into consumer market can be relatively much higher than introducing new product or product variants under the same brand name. This cost can range above millions of rupees and can not guarantee of any success. So instead of launching entirely a new product, most companies prefer brand extension. Successful examples such as Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke benefited from the brand franchise of their parent products. Coca-Cola introduced six extensions and captured a larger market share than the original brand. For example, Coke’s extension, Cherry Coke, was successful even without considerable advertisement.

Firms use brand extensions to influence consumers’ brand choices. Brand extension is a part of the marketing strategy to break the entry barriers between product categories through the carryover of a brand’s reputation.

The other benefits of brand extension are:

  • In the opinion of Sengupta, a successful brand is like a powerhouse which contains enough energy to illuminate distant territories. This accumulation of the consumer-pulling power can be used beyond the boundaries of the brand’s traditional market.
  • The acquaintance of the consumers with a brand increases the chances of accepting a new product by them, under the same brand name. Thus, brand extension reduces the risk associated with launching a product under new brand in the market. In fact the brand equity of an established brand makes the introduction of a new entry inexpensive.
  • According to Moorthi; customers use established brands as quality cues i.e. they use brand name as an indirect measure of quality.
  • The benefit of “Spillover of advertising” works for those products which are affiliated with the brand. In case of brand extension where a new product launched under same the same brand gets benefit of the advertising done for a product already existing under that brand name. Thus, it can be said that brand extension need less advertising support in comparison with new brand launches.
  • Brand extension increases the visibility of brand.
  • In times of intense competition, to cover every niche, the best strategy available to companies is to go for brand extension.
  • Brand extension is helpful in catering lower or premium market segment.
  • When a company extends its brand name to another category, competitors react back; this creates a dynamic environment in market.
  • Brand extension helps the parent brand also in many ways; first it brings clarity in brand meaning, second brand extension can contribute to the parent brand’s association by either adding or strengthening this association.
  • A brand diversified in different categories performs better than mono product or mono-activity brands. While comparing between those brands which are focused and those which are diversified, Court et al (1999) reported in a study that focused brands like Dell and Levi’s earn only 0.9% higher than industry average while diversified brands such as GE, Disney etc. earn 5% more than the industry average.
  • A well-established brand has a well-defined brand image. The advantage of brand extension is that it instantly communicates the salient image of the brand.
  • In addition to brand associations, extension can convey quality associations.

Effect of Brand extension on Brand Equity

Brand extensions can affect the brand and its equity in one of the four different ways:

  • Certain extensions destroy the brands equity.
  • Certain brands exploit the brand capital.
  • Certain extensions have a neutral effect.
  • Certain brand extensions help develop and nurture the meaning of the brand.

Designing and Implementing Branding Strategies

Customer based brand equity is created when brand knowledge comprising of brand awareness and brand image are at highest level in customer mind. Brand awareness level is raised in customer by first understanding consumer taste, preference and present level of awareness. This analysis leads to designing of marketing programs and outcomes of those programs are also recorded. Designing of marketing programs is a complex process as it may have to encompass wide range of product and brands. Purpose of all marketing program is to maximize brand equity and also to capture or create long lasting impression in consumer mind.

Branding strategies deal with creating brand names, logos, style etc. for it to be distinguished from competitors and also whether product brand should be separate from corporate brand or a separate brand away from other individual brands. Implication of branding strategies is that it creates brand awareness for consumer to ascertain point of difference and point of similarity with competitors. Second implication is brand image for association of brand equity from brand to product.

Brand-product matrix looks to explain brand portfolio and brand extension strategies. In the matrix all products offered under different brands are represented by a row. This helps marketers understand the current brand line and explore further opportunity in expanding the product line. In the matrix all current existing brand are represented in form of column referred to as brand portfolio. The brand portfolio analysis is essential to design and develop new marketing strategies to target a given product category.

Product line facilitates marketers to devise strategy with regards to future treatment for a given brand. This strategy focuses on decision, as to whether product line can be extended or new variants of existing product should be introduced. When taking brand extension decision companies needs to carry SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis to fully understand market conditions, current category structure and environmental (economic, social, political, regulatory) dynamics. This analysis will give companies product line and categories to follow active branding strategy.

Active branding strategy with respect to product line involves creating multiple brands; this provides depth to the branding process. For example- car maker General Motors, it created multiple brands to expand the product class category from SUV to sports car. This sort of strategy is also used by consumer goods giant P & G and Unilever. By creating individual brands companies can create different marketing strategies. This strategy ensures no market in given industry remains un-tapped.

Brand product matrix helps in showcasing different brand in any given product category. In that respect Brand Hierarchy is graphical representation of company’s products and its brands. Hierarchical structure starts with corporate brand and then showcases different product category and below brands. This sort of presentation helps devise marketing strategy at many levels and forms. There is no fix way to go about formulating marketing strategy but generally it can fit into 3 categories. First strategy gives more importance to corporate brand and less prominence to product brand. Second strategy sees importance been given to two or more product brands and some highlighting to the corporate brand. Third strategy looks at promoting only the product brand and there is no mention of corporate entity at all.

Another brand building strategy which has gain prominence in recent times is cause marketing or social responsibility marketing. In cause marketing company contributes some amount of revenue generate from product sales towards designated cause. For example- American Express started RED campaign along with U2 singer Bono where in 1 percent of card charges were dedicated to fight AIDS in Africa. This sort of marketing improves brand awareness as well as brand image and it can generate sense of pride not only for consumers but also for employees.

There are various ways through which a successful brand build strategy can be created, maintained and enhanced. But one things which comes out from exploring different strategies is that companies have to proactive in designing marketing campaign and react accordingly to challenges of dynamic environment.

Distinguishing Your Brand

The primary goal of marketing strategies is to distinguish the brand from other competitors. However, branding strategies also deal with deciding whether product brands and corporate brands should be separate or not. Furthermore, they design and devise names, logos, symbols, and other visual brand identifiers. The primary goal is achieved by pointing out not only differences but also similarities with other brands in the same product category and creating brand awareness.

Brand Portfolio and Brand Expansions

To explain your brand portfolio and make plans for potential brand expansions, you have to understand the dynamics between brand and product. This is called the brand-product matrix. This matrix represents all competitors from the same product category and creates an opportunity to not only understand the brand line but also expand the product line.

The brand portfolio represents all current competing brands for the same product category, and it gives an insight into developing future strategies.

The Product Line

How does the product line help marketers? The decision whether to extend the existing product line or to create new alternatives to the products the brand is already developing is up to the marketers.

When making this decision, marketers have to mind the SWOT. SWOT stands for Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat, and each of these elements should be thoroughly analysed. The analysis will provide the product line which will make deciding about future branding moves much easier. What’s more, the analysis of these elements will also help the marketers understand the dynamics of category structure, market conditions, and the environment.

The best approach to dominating the product line is creating multiple brands. Take famous automotive companies as an example. General Motors dominates the product category by manufacturing different product classes under different brand names. Creating different brands for different products in the same category allows you to implement various strategies. What’s more, it enables a narrower focus.

The Brand Product Matrix

With the help of the brand-product matrix, you can have an insight into the brand hierarchy of all brands and products within the same product category. This structure showcases corporate brands first, but it also gives an idea into lesser brands and different product categories. This kind of structural display allows marketers to create multi-level strategies.

Three Approaches to Designing a Marketing Strategy

While there is no single, perfect way to design an effective branding strategy. Typically, you can take one of following three approaches.

  • The first approach is to prioritise corporate over product brands.
  • The second approach is to keep the accent on one or more product brands while also highlighting the corporate brand.
  • The third approach is to completely dismiss the corporate brand in favour of the product brand.

Social Marketing

Nowadays, another approach is steadily gaining popularity. That’s social marketing, otherwise known as cause marketing. It consists of associating the brand with a social cause.

Brands give portions of their earnings to designated causes. Social marketing does wonders for brand awareness and brand image because it creates a positive impression in the consumer’s mind, not only of the brand but the consumer as well. By consuming your product, the consumer feels proud because they are contributing to an important cause.

There is no definite recipe for designing, maintaining, and improving branding strategies. However, one thing is certain proactivity is the key. Analysing and discarding different approaches until you find the one that’s most effective is crucial. Furthermore, flexibility and adaptability to changes is also a significant factor.

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