CRS 231 How has the housing crisis affected home fashion retail?

During the holidays there is much need for home fashions. Because families are having their relatives stay over for Thanksgiving and Christmas, they are in need of sheets, towels, pillows, and other bedding supplies. However, places like Bed Bath and Beyond, and Lenon's And Things are having to discount their supplies because the market is so bad. Houses are also not selling for as much due to the market. Because relatives are staying over the house needs to look nice and the bedding supplies needs to match according to color and feel. Having a colorful and comfortable environment and setting to stay in makes all the difference.

CRS 231 problems in apparel retail

There are various problems in apparel retailing, some of which include the dropping of sales, size standards to fit a wide variety of customers, and selecting a line of clothes that will be successful in a competitive market.

The market is poor right now, with the dropping of sales contributing to an over shipment of stock in stores that people are not buying. People do not have the money to afford big shopping sprees. Businesses are trying to over come this issue by promoting sales of "50 percent off", "buy one get one free" or "buy one get one half off." These sales encourage customers to buy more merchandise, and spread the word about the company's good sale to get more customers and business.

Size standards is a problem in the apparel retail industry because its the merchandisers job to fit all of the different sizes of the various customers who shop at a particular store. Size ranges have to fit those who have petite and short body types, those who are tall and slim, and others who are more heavy set. A business will lose a lot of customers if they do not have clothes which will fit all sizes. Because buying a lot of fabric to fit different sizes can become expensive, there are specialty stores that cater to the various sizes. Some of these stores sell clothes for pregnant women, clothes for children, clothes for plus sizes, and even clothes for disabled people. Size standards is sill a problem, but the method of mass production has helped to solve this problem by creating department stores that sell a variety of sizes. Even though mass production is found in sweat shops where they pay their workers a minimum amount of money, it is what keeps businesses running by creating a mass supply of a variety of clothes in different sizes.

Selecting a line of clothes that will be successful in a competitive market is a major part of what keeps a business running among other stores. Picking the right color, the right style, and the right sizes to sell can either make or break a company. If a company orders a large shipment of clothes in a brand new color, consumers might not be used to this new color and at first probably will not buy any of the merchandise. Therefore, to get business, the company may have to discount the clothes to get people buying them. However, if these clothes are popular then the business will be very successful and the color could be used as a line by line favorite because the merchandisers know that it is a favorite among consumers and that it will sell. The right size in the right style is a big factor because consumers all have very different body types and some colors will either make one seem bigger or smaller, and the certain style can either be too exposed or too conservative depending on the certain look that a consumer wants. Sizes and styles are hard to work with because if someone likes a certain style, they will not buy it unless it is in their size.

RCS 362 PR and celebrities

Britney Spears has been criticized and is known for her risque behavior. Her sexual songs, music videos, attire, and personal struggles have been widely publicized. From shaving her head, to drunk and wild behavior, to not taking good care of her baby boys, she is portrayed by the advertisers to not be living up to her good role model standards. Little girls look up to her, following in her footsteps and studying her persona as a celebrity. But is it right to tap into Britney Spear's personal life, to a point where the rumors could drive her even more crazy or lead her to act out even more? Imagine having a camera always in your face, who knows what we would all personally do if one could never have a moment of privacy. On the other hand, being a celebrity comes with expectations to set a good example and create a good reputation for oneself. Celebrities are always in the eye of the public, and if one does not know how to act appropriately they should probably consider either owning up to the negative rumors or acting in a more appropriate manner. If I were Britney Spears I would clean up my act, or at least focus on the positives about myself. If Britney Spears had more respect for herself, and was supported and encouraged by more people then her whole reputation would probably improve for the better.

Blog 9 superbowl ads

Advertisements shown during the Superbowl are very pricey and highly anticipated, totaling up to millions of dollars for a time span of only a few minutes. The commercials are known to be incredibly funny and innovative. They generate buzz and excitement to prepare its viewers for the big game. Some of the most famous, well known, and funny advertisements are for beer and cars... which is not surprising because the expected audience or the majority of viewers who watch the Superbowl are men who are big consumers of car and beer products. Commercials that run during the Superbowl will gain popularity and consumer knowledge for whatever product it is advertising. It is a good way to catch and draw in a consumers attention, making one interested in buying the product. Many of the commercials will advertise a new "hip" product, to gain popularity and increase the likelihood for success for buying and selling of that product. Some famous commercials include well known celebrities that will also attract consumers to buy a product because they want to be like their role model. Some people even watch the Superbowl just to see the commercials!

RCS 362 Advertisements

What makes people buy? Bright attractive colors with big fonts will catch one's attention. Popular catchy slogans will remain in someone's head and motivate one to buy something. Bargains and deals will catch one's desire and encourage them to try a new product. Company's want to draw in a consumer and then keep them as loyal customer's that will continue to shop with them.

Advertising is found all over the place: on buses, cars, billboards, sidewalks, paper brochures posted on street signs, the radio, TV, etc. Advertisements can be successful in the market depending on their method of selling of a product. Some advertisements can turn off a customer, depending on their method of selling a product if it's inappropriate or offensive to an audience. The type of advertisements that encourage me to buy something are ones for the products that include shampoo, food, clothes, music, movies, or any other popular products.

RCS 362 2 ads I like and 2 ads I don't like

I do not like the make up ads that I see on TV, mostly from Covergirl and L'Oreal Paris. I think these models are photo shopped and look perfect. Young girls and women buy their make up products because they think they will look like the models selling the make up. The models are flawless and have had professionals do their make up. I think this is false advertising because when people buy this make up they get mad when they sweat and the make up fades, or after a long day at work or at school the make up looks coated on and oily.... exactly what the make up company promised would not happen.

I like the dove truth commercials advertising how frequently young girls are exposed to false advertisements every day. One commercial shows a woman sitting in a chair getting her hair and make up done. They completely change her look, but after they are done they photo shop her picture as well, completely changing her facial features ad hair. I think this commercial is good because it shows the behind the scenes adjustments done to pictures, that viewers do not see or know about on a regular basis.

I like the Nike commercials that advertise their equipment and sports paraphernalia. The commercials show athletes in action, playing sports and working hard to achieve a goal of theirs. The Nike brand sells sports equipment. The commercials correctly advertise this because the people playing the sports are wearing Nike shoes, shits, hats, wrist and headbands, showing how Nike equipment can better enhance one's performance while playing a particular sport.

I like the Gatorade commercials. The Gatorade brand uses different methods of advertising their product in the commercials such as making their athletes "sweat Gatorade" showing the athlete's sweat in a Gatorade drink color. The Gatorade company also shows the athletes working out and playing sports, and then drinking Gatorade afterwards to regain their strength. This is a good method of advertising their product because Gatorade is a popular and well known energy drink that rejuvenates one's body and gives one energy after working hard and sweating a lot.