Business of Fashion

Order Description Europe based retailer Primark is the latest “fast fashion” company to enter the American market this is as Aeropostale has declared bankruptcy, GAP is being challenged to close more stores and industry sources are suggesting that the department store sector remains very over spaced. Applying our knowledge of the retail mix, target market and sustainable advantage, as well as some current research on Primark, please explain whether you believe the concept will succeed or fail in the USA. (300 words) We have heard about, and discussed, the prospect of Amazon overtaking Walmart in volume within the next 10 years. As you also know, the retail industry is growing at a 2-3% annual rate, indicating that Amazon’s gains will have to come at the expense of someone. Assuming that $100B worth of Amazon’s volume growth will be taken from existing retailers, who will that be? Support your reasoning for selecting the stores you consider vulnerable to Amazon’s projected growth. Please use the list of Top 100 Retailers posted here as a reference. (300 words https://nrf.com/resources/annual-retailer-lists. Unemployment has flattened out, housing starts are up and the stock market flirts with record highs every few weeks. The industry has developed ways to deliver product that were almost unthinkable only 5 years ago. In this context, why are domestic retail sales stalled in the +1-2% range? What 3 factors within the fashion industry are contributing to this stagnation and what can the industry do to change the numbers? What 3 “external” factors are impacting these results and how might those be changed? Please support your conclusions. (300 words) Define the term "value" in the context of the Merchandise Management process and explain how it would impact a buyer’s decision to mark down a seasonal item, such as swimsuits. (100 words). What is meant by IMU and MMU? Identify and explain the distinctions between these numbers in a Private label apparel, Branded apparel and Cosmetics setting at Bloomingdales, paying special attention to how these “metrics” influence the allocation of floor space/location and the inventory devoted to each category. Support your reasoning. (200 words). Identify a “significant” event that has taken place, or trend that has emerged, within “the business of fashion” during the 8 weeks you have been engaged in this course. How will this event or trend impact (good or bad) the consumer and the industry? Support your reasoning.