Week 5Observation Lab

By Anthony StockTEM 431

Professor Jason Bronowitz

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is just what the name implies. Everything on the premises for the price of $1 or below. Catering to the budget conscious and frugal minded individual. At Dollar Tree one can find kitchenware, cleaning supplies, toys, frozen foods, canned goods and candies as well as seasonal knick knacks.

3 new things I learned about Dollar Tree

1 Frozen food section

Chicken Pot Pies

Burritos

Hot Dogs

Bacon (yep you can the same package of bacon that runs you $3 at the grocery store for $1)

2 Seasonal itemsup front

Seasonal items are kept up front along with knick knacks and impulse buy goods because it is done as a convenience to customers. It is already known that keeping these things in back will not impact sales of items such as cleaning supplies.

3Three main typesof clients

1. Seasonal shopper looking for the inexpensive holiday item

2. Frugal shopper looking to purchase item at great cost

3. Budget minded shopper

3 other facts I learned about Dollar Tree

1.Customers stay in store an average of 10-15 minutes

2.Dollar Tree, at least this one, does not play background music

3.There is a design to how merchandise is placed starting up front with seasonal and impulse purchase products and going counter clockwise ending with the kitchenware and household items. Confirmed by the store manager on duty at the time.

Additional pictures

Maurices

Maurices

Maurices cators to the fashion-conscious, budget-minded female shopper. The products are geared toward casual to upper casual clothing for everyday living.

3 new things I learned about Maurices

1 Clothes for all sizes

The store’s product line caters to women of all shapes and sizes and aims to provide a no pressure atmosphere where customers can feel relaxed to shop for clothing and accessories.

2The store is fairly new in the area

Maurices is fairly new in this area having come online within the last few years but the store model is very successful with its pricing model and diverse line of clothing and accessories

3Statewide not just a single location

Maurices is statewide with locations in:

Gilbert

Chandler

Phoenix

Tucson

3 other facts I learned about Maurices

1.I really liked how their doors were open. The store manager said that during the cooler months their policy was open door

2.Successful with plus size women but clientele was diverse

3.Store was bright and clean and had background music playing. Environment was open and relaxed with extremely friendly, helpful personnel.

Additional Pictures

Famous Footwear

Famous Footwear

Nationwide chain competitive with other national chains such as DSW. Famous Footwear stores tend to be smaller and more personable stores as compared to their DSW counterparts offering a more personable footwear shopping experience. The chain caters to male and female clients as well as adolescents.

3 new things I learned about Famous Footwear

1Used to be known for their athletic footwear

Used to be known for their athletic footwear and competed more with Big 5 on that level and they still do but have changed their business model to also be more aggressive with their casual footwear line to maintain their market presence against DSW.

2 Is competitively priced

Having just made a trip to DSW recently to purchase shoes I was surprised to find that Famous Footwear’s prices were very competitive with DSW’s if not cheaper regarding some of the brands.

3Stores designed to have smaller footprint

Stores are designed to be smaller to facilitate more locations and offer a more convenience and personable shoe buying experience.

3 other facts I learned about Famous Footwear

1.Employees were extremely helpful and knowledgeable

2.Store was clean and well organized and casual footwear seemed to have the slight edge regarding display and visibility especially at eye level

3.Store also had background music

Additional Pictures

Pier 1 Imports

Pier 1 Imports

Pier 1 imports offers crafts and many items for home decoration. Its products are both seasonal and annual. Competing with national chains like Michaels, Pier 1 Imports offers a heightened consumer experience for your craft and home decorating buying needs.

3 new things I learned about Pier 1 Imports

1Employees extremely helpful

Employees were extremely happy, helpful and knowledgeable

2 They sell Furniture

Did not know that Pier 1 Imports sold furniture and home furnishings. Their merchandise displays at least at eye level resembles more of a Michaels geared more toward the seasonal and craft minded shopper

3 The Sell Dinnerware

They have unique collections of dinnerware and table settings.

3 other facts I learned about Pier 1 Imports

1.Have an extensive and amazing fake flower department that cater to all of life's events

2.Stores are designed to be packed from wall to wall with products. It lends to the impulse buying experience.

3.In addition to music the candle fragrances all contributed to the shopping experience.

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Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack offers Nordstrom products at discounted prices. Nordstrom Rack outlets are the vehicle for Nordstrom to sell quality products that are not doing as well or being phased out of their Nordstrom stores to customers who are more budget minded and enjoy Nordstrom products at discounted prices.

3 new things I learned about Nordstrom Rack

1Additional vehicle for product sales

Nordstrom Rack is designed to be that last stop shop for Nordstrom to be able to recoup some of their product investment before the liquidation phase.

2 Clean stores

Nordstrom Rack aims to provide the Nordstrom shopper with the same level of shopping experience as their Nordstrom stores to maintain brand integrity.

3 The Sell Toys

Not sure why this was a shocker to me. I guess because I went in only expecting to find clothing and shoes and accessories and in addition found a toys section.

3 other facts I learned about Nordstrom Rack

1.Customers stay an average of 30 - 40 minutes looking for bargains

2.Store was very compartmentalized but had a nice flow

3.Front of store designed to funnel people into store to start them out a certain point and at the end there was no way to avoid the cash register/checkout experience and an employee always made sure they greeted you or thanked you for coming to the store.

Additional Pictures

Buy Buy Baby

Buy Buy Baby

The ultimate shopping experience for all things related to having a baby.

3 new things I learned about Buy Buy Baby

1 They do photos

They have an extensive photo department with knowledgeable staff to help capture this special, exciting moment in life.

2 Store is very clean

Even though this store seemed to have as much volume as Pier 1 Imports and then some it was very clean and well organized and efficient. The feel seemed to cater to the casual as well as the rushed shopper.

3 Extensive Staff

There was a staff member at every station. If you were shopping for strollers there was a staff member there, photos, clothing, high chairs. And all staff members were very friendly and knowledgeable.

3 other facts I learned about Buy Buy Baby

1.They sell nutritional supplements like power bars, etc. In fact, had an extensive nutrition section for expecting moms.

2.You can custom order cribs there or buy the ones off the shelf but they will help you find exactly what you want.

3.The staff will help install your car seat correctly.

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