Week 7 EOC: Chapter Discussions

1. Given the discussion on mass customization, the model seems to hold new opportunities for young entrepreneurs considered to establish a new business. Highlight the advantages and challenges of the model from an entrepreneurial perspective.

It's a really creative way to bring in new customers because it lets businesses cater to consumers in a creative and fit their needs instead of the consumer only getting two choices. The worst part about mass-customization is that it can get a little pricey depending on what the product is and how big it is. Overall it is a smart move. 

2. Compare the way luxury and mass-market brands adopted the new technologies. What are the opportunities and challenges that each segment may encounter?

Luxury uses this technology to gain customer loyalty, while mass-market companies use this by tallying 

surveys to see what customers think of the products. 

3. Based on the chapter arguments and your personal analysis, how would you interpret the term iBrand?

iBrand is basically you, you are the brand and how you interpret yourself and how you identify yourself as a brand.  

Week 8 EOC: Final

"The Kroger Co. is an American store founded in 1883 in Ohio. It reported 90.4 billion in sales for fiscal year 2012. It is the country's largest grocery shop, its second-largest general retailer by revenue, and fourth-largest retailer in the world. In 2010, Kroger operated, either directly or through its subsidiaries, 3,574 stores."

"Thinking of Eating Better? It’s Simple.

Simple Truth™ and Simple Truth Organic™ products provide an easy, uncomplicated solution to the challenge of simply better living. “Free from 101” artificial ingredients and preservatives, they’re available exclusively at Kroger!"

"As well as stocking a variety of regional brand products, The Kroger Co. also employs one of the largest networks of private label manufacturing in the country. Forty plants in seventeen states create about half of Kroger's nearly 20,000 private label products. Similar to most major supermarket retailers, Kroger uses a three-tiered private label marketing strategy. One private brand emphasizes no-frills products at the lowest possible price, another is intended to be comparable to leading national brands but a better value, and the third is a premium, often organic, brand."

"Like any other brand, retailers need to have a clear vision that drives the branding strategy and all other activities. A retail store plays various roles in the life of any product brand. Retailing is the core of any distribution channel; it is also a communication tool. In addition, it is instrumental in monitoring consumer trends and behavior as well as gathering market data. There are many types of stores, each with a different market focus and strategy, so it is essential for every retail venture to determine the suitable retail concept and business model that fits its philosophy and strategic goals. However, all models share the basic principle of creating the right experience with the right merchandise and service, at the right price, and for the right consumer.”

I chose the sparkling water by Kroger because it is an amazing product to drink. It doesn’t have any calories or anything bad with it. Unless you leave it in the sun, then it will taste pretty gross. The Kroger’s sparkling water is supposed to be a substitute for those who are trying to quit carbonated drinks. I love sparkling water, and Kroger’s is cheap and has a great taste to it if you’re trying to substitute it for the real thing. You can get Kroger at any participating Smith’s. Even though that’s the only place I know that would carry Kroger. It is more of a grocery store brand anyway. Sometimes I think that sparkling water COULD be, meaning that it has some potential to be a luxury item. I sometimes see a lot of celebrities drinking sparkling water like by bucket full. It's more of a status thing if you think about it. It's like soda without the carbonation.