Review on Urban Outfitters

1. Explain why Sears or Wal-mart cannot effectively create a trendy counterculture image.

In my opinion, I do not think that neither Wal-mart nor Sears would be able to create a trendy counterculture image. Considering the fact that Wal-Mart and sears are on a large-scale departmental stores. Therefore, they cannot pull off being exclusive and discrete or target a mall niche. Mainly because the both stores are widespread and do not specifically, target a small niche. these two department stores can not use the same strategy as Urban outfitters has which is to ensure its goods are scarce to the general public but are available to customers in certain areas.

Another reason would be there is no possible way for Wal-Mart or sears to be able to create distinctive and peculiar fashions. Their goods are all ready available to thousands of customers because they are operating on a large-scale basis. The two companies would have to narrow themselves down in operation and become a niche market. This would more than likely not work because instead of creating a counterculture image they would be making a replica of the line of products offered by Urban Outfitters.

2. Could the big box stores sell merchandise identical to Urban Outfitters? Explain your answer.

Unlike Urban Outfitters the big box stores does not have the time to connect with every customer on an emotional level they are too big of a corporation. I think that the big box stores could sell identical merchandise as Urban Outfitters but would not have the success they have. This would be impossible due to the operations cannot be narrowed and some product lines would be compromised and could not fit in as a niche. (Academic writings, pg 1) Customers are persuaded to purchase Urban Outfitters products due to the company's understandment of what a customer wants and needs. Urban Outfitters also has an assortment and distinctive which is very compelling to many customers.

Another reason is items could be sold in the big box stores but would not generate the volume and profit may not be as captivating as the company expected. As well imitating merchandise of Urban Outfitters may not bring the typical customer of Urban Outfitters into a big box store. Lastly, legal standards may very well be another reason why the big box stores do not bother trying to replicate merchandise sold by Urban Outfitters. Mainly this is due to many designs having been patented with copyright law, which means items cannot be identically reproduced. This in return could cause many legal as well as financial problems for the company if designs or illegally reproduced.

3. Identify at least three reasons why exclusivity is valuable.

When a product sales on a limited basis, with availability limited to fewer chosen stores, and more often at a slightly higher price, the customers often match a higher value to the product. (Academic writing, pg 1).

The most important reason why exclusivity is valuable would be not having the competition from other competitors. If you were selling, merchandise that you came up with you would not necessarily want the competition you would want your product to have