Comments on: The Post-Recession Opportunity: Recoveries Create New Winners http://www.retailingtogether.com/posts/2009/618-the-post-recession-opportunity Collaboration and Technology for Independent Apparel Retailers and Their Business Partners Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:46:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Eric Busboom http://www.retailingtogether.com/posts/2009/618-the-post-recession-opportunity/comment-page-1#comment-10 Eric Busboom Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:29:49 +0000 http://www.clarinova.com/?p=618#comment-10 Kathleen, Thanks for the links. Taken together, the articles on your site speak to the conflict that I’ve also been hearing from both sides, although I look at those sides more as the retailers and the brand owners. I’d like to see a strong notion that the retailers are the "owners" of the customer experience while the brand owners " manufacturers, license owners , etc " use the Internet to manage the brand rather than selling directly to the consumer. Of course, the industry is too complex for that model to be true every where " as Miracle’s article on Ebay illustrates " but it is a good guide for branded apparel that is sold through independent retailers. So, I certainly agree that "equilibrium in the market will depend on both parties being internet savvy," in fact that’s the reason for Clarinova’s existence. Kathleen,

Thanks for the links. Taken together, the articles on your site speak to the conflict that I’ve also been hearing from both sides, although I look at those sides more as the retailers and the brand owners. I’d like to see a strong notion that the retailers are the "owners" of the customer experience while the brand owners " manufacturers, license owners , etc " use the Internet to manage the brand rather than selling directly to the consumer. Of course, the industry is too complex for that model to be true every where " as Miracle’s article on Ebay illustrates " but it is a good guide for branded apparel that is sold through independent retailers.

So, I certainly agree that "equilibrium in the market will depend on both parties being internet savvy," in fact that’s the reason for Clarinova’s existence.

]]> By: Eric Busboom http://www.retailingtogether.com/posts/2009/618-the-post-recession-opportunity/comment-page-1#comment-9 Eric Busboom Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:29:21 +0000 http://www.clarinova.com/?p=618#comment-9 The social shopping community is definitely a future trend for retailers, and I like offline retailers to benefit from that as much as online retailers. ( 90% of sales are still offline! ) I think the important thing for physical retailers to understand is that the social aspects of local business are nothing new " the rules for social marketing are as old as humanity itself " but the technology is new, and the socializing is moving online. Physical retailers could definitely learn something from sites like http://watchchoice.com The social shopping community is definitely a future trend for retailers, and I like offline retailers to benefit from that as much as online retailers. ( 90% of sales are still offline! ) I think the important thing for physical retailers to understand is that the social aspects of local business are nothing new " the rules for social marketing are as old as humanity itself " but the technology is new, and the socializing is moving online. Physical retailers could definitely learn something from sites like http://watchchoice.com

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.retailingtogether.com/posts/2009/618-the-post-recession-opportunity/comment-page-1#comment-5 Kathleen Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:01:49 +0000 http://www.clarinova.com/?p=618#comment-5 Some good points Eric. I'd also like to bring your attention to some posts from F-I Hangtags, domain names and competing with your customers: http://tinyurl.com/9co36a A bit OT but related in that internet retailing lowers the costs of entry and how this can impact people just getting started -both in retailing and wholesaling (two sides of the same coin): How eBay can kill you (parts one and two) http://tinyurl.com/92m6eb http://tinyurl.com/9yvg34 Summary: equilibrium in the market will depend on both parties being internet savvy. Perhaps this crisis will clear out some deadwood on both sides of the equation but some will retain position with a formidable presence. Some good points Eric. I’d also like to bring your attention to some posts from F-I
Hangtags, domain names and competing with your customers:
http://tinyurl.com/9co36a

A bit OT but related in that internet retailing lowers the costs of entry and how this can impact people just getting started -both in retailing and wholesaling (two sides of the same coin): How eBay can kill you (parts one and two)
http://tinyurl.com/92m6eb
http://tinyurl.com/9yvg34

Summary: equilibrium in the market will depend on both parties being internet savvy. Perhaps this crisis will clear out some deadwood on both sides of the equation but some will retain position with a formidable presence.

]]> By: Tierra M Wilson http://www.retailingtogether.com/posts/2009/618-the-post-recession-opportunity/comment-page-1#comment-8 Tierra M Wilson Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:06:55 +0000 http://www.clarinova.com/?p=618#comment-8 I love the idea of the "independent retailer" during the recession. Instead of panicking its important for retailers to understand the opportunities of a recession. Recently I read about watchchoice.com, a website that gathered luxury watch retailers and consumers in one place to ensure that retailers were reaching their customers and that consumers were finding bargains... the result was an amazing social shopping community where nearly invisible retailers were able to reach new customers, keep an eye on the competition, and improve thier customer relationships. It's about being smart and stepping out of the box to find those opportunities that make sense. Great article! I love the idea of the “independent retailer” during the recession. Instead of panicking its important for retailers to understand the opportunities of a recession. Recently I read about watchchoice.com, a website that gathered luxury watch retailers and consumers in one place to ensure that retailers were reaching their customers and that consumers were finding bargains… the result was an amazing social shopping community where nearly invisible retailers were able to reach new customers, keep an eye on the competition, and improve thier customer relationships. It’s about being smart and stepping out of the box to find those opportunities that make sense.

Great article!

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