The entire process of research, planning, promoting, and distributing the raw materials, apparel, and accessories Marketing is the power behind the product development, production, distribution, retailing, and promotion of Fibers Fabrics Leathers Furs Trimmings Apparel and Accessories Begins and ends with the customer With increased income, consumers have better and cheaper products constant availability Convenience pleasant shopping experiences Research what the customer wants to buy, then develop the product Marketing firms analyze lifestyles and buying behaviors Consumer Demand is the effect the consumer has on the market place Created by increased spending on advertising and other marketing activities Ultimate goal of marketing is to establish the identity of a brand or store so customers will seek it out (destination brand) Also known as market segments Age Lifestyle Living area Educational background Ethnic background Traditionally, society was divided by income classes Demographics are statistical studies of population characteristics based on Birthrate, age distribution, and income Pre 1945 Most neglected by designers, retailers and the media Second-fastest growing segment Tend to feel younger than actual age Have money to spend and enjoy new products Tend to dress up more often Prefers shopping for apparel and accessories by catalog, Internet, or department stores By 2010, 1/3 of the population will be over age 50 Future marketers will need to cater to this segment. 1946-1964 Most influential group since WWII Largest segment and primary demographic spending group The women spend more on clothing than any other group Often ignored by the industry Advertisers have stereotypical ideas about the style of those over 40 and are afraid to alienate the younger crowd with multigenerational ads Wants same style as young people but with the appropriate length and fit 1965-1979 Also known as the Baby Busters Now career- and family-oriented Spending reflects orientation Housing, home goods, transportation, and education Post 1980 Also known as the Baby Boomlet Children of baby boomers Racially diverse Global, sports, computer, and entertainment orientation Ads, TV, movies, Internet, and magazines influence buying decisions Fashion oriented, passion for clothes Cannot afford to spend as much as the baby boomers Prefer specialty apparel chains and boutiques By 2010, the nation will be polarized Postwar boomers over 50 and millennial generation under 30 Companies must respond with multigenerational ad campaigns The Immigration and Naturalization Service projects that legal immigration exceeds 700,000 per year Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American segments will grow much faster than the white majority Look for different things in purchases Cultural perceptions regarding styling, color, pattern, fabrics, fit, quality, and value Psychographics is the use of psychological, sociological, and anthropological factors to construct market segments Manufacturers and retailers turn to psychographics to further segment and analyze consumer groups and their fashion preferences More than 75% of females age 20-60 work 22 million women live alone or are single head of households Shop less often, favor convenient shopping Use catalogs, electronic stores, and superstores Majority of population is considered large size 68% of Americans are overweight This affects Manufacturers Must change sizing and construction of garments Retail stores Devote more square footage of the store to large-size apparel Community Connection to the community; cities are gaining population Renewed interest in family life More money spent on the home and family activities rather than fashion Cocooning People stay in due to fear of terrorism, war, and crime, shopping less or by catalog or Internet Comfort Staying relaxed and casual dressing at home/work or activewear Increase at-home use of computers Working at home Expected to increase Value of time Online shopping Willing to trade money for free time leads to the appeal of shopping at home/Internet Stress Busy schedules = other ways to shop Target Market is the group of consumers you want to reach Market niche small population group of unserved or underserved people who have a need for a product Gathered to improve offerings Collect and analyze data Unknowingly we give merchants data Shopping habits Size Color preferences Lifestyle Age Income And address Other information is formed into categorized into databases (consumer profiles) Merchants translate sales data and purchasing patterns into geographic maps Visual representation of their market Helps management to understand traffic flow and sales potential Consumer profiles are used to Learn about customers Find new customers Establish target markets Find/create new products New ways to advertise Keep focused on their customers Personal income Gross amount of income from all sources, such as wages and salaries, interest, and dividends Disposable income Personal income – taxes. This amount determines a person’s purchasing power Discretionary income Income left over after food, lodging, and other needs have been paid for Money available to spend or save at will Purchasing power Is the amount of goods and services that income can by Related to the economic situation Includes Credit Corporate Ownership Labor Costs Inflation Recession International Currency More retailers are offering their own credit cards for their databases Too much easy credit available Increase in personal bankruptcy Corporate debt has lead to manufacturer and retailer bankruptcies Credit Most companies have grown into corporations or purchased by other corporations Mergers and acquisitions result in giant “corporate groups”’ EX: Liz Claiborne Corporations sell public stock to gain access to funding Corporate Ownership As people receive higher salaries and live better the cost of making products increases Rising domestic labor costs, we now must search for cheaper sources of labor Asia, Mexico, the Caribbean Basin, etc. Labor Costs The US experienced inflation during the 1980s People earn more money each year Higher prices Higher taxes Result in little or no increase in purchasing power Inflation 2002-2003 A recession is a cycle beginning with a decrease in spending Forced to cut back production Results in unemployment Drop in gross national product (GNP) Strong dollar Americans can afford to purchase foreign-made merchandise cheaper The Euro In 1999, the euro became the official currency of 11 of the 15 members of the European Union (EU) Furthers the cycle Recession International Currency Balance of Trade Difference in value between a country’s exports and imports Tariffs Customs charges imposed on imports in an attempt to protect domestic industry Quotas Means of regulating imports and exports Imports Goods that are brought in from a foreign country to sell here Exports NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement In 1994, NAFTA created a free market (devoid of import duties) 560 million people in Canada, the US, and Mexico Promotes economic growth through the expansion of trade and investment opportunities within the free trade area Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has been enacted The US also has negotiated trade agreements with Australia, Chile, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Singapore, and SubSaharan Africa Working on a Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) Encompasses 34 Western Hemisphere nations as well as several other countries Business communication Computers Intranet: E-Mail on a closed Intranet network system to share information internally among departments Internet Video (videoconferencing) Fax Business Communication Television Telephone Web sites E-Commerce Research Personal Communication Developed based on a companies needs Product Development Designers rely on consumer statistics and sales data to track trends Product Data Management (PDA) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) coordinate each step of the design process In production, goods are given Universal Product Codes (UPC) that identify style, color, size, price, and fabrication In attempt to reduce waiting time in ordering and distribution, textile producers, and apparel manufacturers Automatic Replenishment Allows manufacturers to automatically ship goods to stores when inventory levels are low Value Chain Initiative (VCI) International standards for sharing information among retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers Covers all aspects of the supply chain The flow of product from concept to consumer Traditionally companies are separate and independent Trends Traditional Marketing Chain Vertical integration Full package manufacturing Manufacturer-retailer appliances Fibers •Product Development> Production> Sales & Distribution Yarns •Product Development> Production> Sales & Distribution Fabrics •Product Development>Weaving & Knitting>Sales & Distribution Apparel & Accessories •Product Development>Production> Sales & Distribution Retailers •Merchandising and Sales Consumers Many companies are combining fabric production and apparel manufacturing A Manufacturing and retailing vertical company produces fabrics, manufactures clothing, and sells the finished product Cutting out distribution costs increases profits and keeps prices down to the consumer Full Package Manufacturing Manufacturer-Retailer Alliances Forming informal partnerships to integrate the marketing chain Work on every step of the process together Must have complete trust in each other