Department Store Industry

1: INDUSTRY OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT STORES

Department stores are large retail outlets that contain numerous individual shops, providing a wide range of product lines. Department stores most oftentimes consist of the following product categories:

1)      Food

2)      Cosmetics

3)      Shoes and Accessories

4)      Clothing

5)      Interior Décor

6)      Restaurants

Depending on the type of department store, department stores can offer a much wider range of products, including furniture, toys, electronics, books, etc.

Department stores come in a wide range of qualities and prices. There are such things as “high-end department stores”, which would focus purely on offering high-profile brands and products, while there are more mass-market targeting department stores, which are more likely to include a wider range of products, including practical household products.

That said, department stores will oftentimes try to cater to specific types of market segments. Particularly in the case of department stores in large cities, each department store will try to position itself differently from its direct and nearby competitors: some will try to cater to younger generations, while some will try to cater to the older generations. Some will try to cater to those interested in mainstream brands, while others will focus more on boutique, independent brands.

In the US, the department store industry includes approximately 20 companies operating roughly 3,500 stores. Major department stores in the US include: Sears, JCPenney, Macy’s, and Dillard’s. The industry earns an annual revenue of around $60 billion USD, 95% of which is earned by the largest 8 companies in the industry.

Some links about the industry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_store

http://vspages.com/mall-vs-department-store-5580/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopping_mall

http://www.hoovers.com/industry/department-stores/1529-1.html

 

SPACE

2a: Implicit or Explicit?

From the department store owner’s standpoint, I would say that space is often sold explicitly, as they would charge the tenants per the size of the lease space. On the other hand, for stalls or booths set up in more open areas of the department store, space may be considered more implicit, as these spaces may be sold with less correlation to the exact size of the space.

2b: Ways of Splitting Space

Department stores have different types of spaces within the building that cater to their customers. The most typical type is the space split by fixed walls into one unit, and can usually be shut off or closed by a door or a shutter. These spaces cannot easily be adjusted in terms of size and layout without investment of significant time and money. These fixed spaces are generally leased out to a specific brand or company, such as Zara, Coach, Burberry, etc.

 

Then there is the semi-fixed space, such as the department store areas dedicated to selling cosmetics or shoes. These are oftentimes open areas in which a specific brand or merchandising line take up certain spaces, but are not divided up by physical walls or entryways. These areas are much more flexible in terms of changing the products being handled, given that one area can easily be changed to carry one brand/line from another; however, certain fixtures used for the displays will be fixed, and hence less flexible to change from a layout perspective.

 

There is also open space, in which temporary booths or stalls are built to sell a smaller line of products or services.

Different from other uses of store space is the use of space to purely focus on selling experiential services. For department stores, the focus generally remains on selling physical products. However, there are rare instances when space is allocated to selling services—one case being when department stores are attached to movie theaters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2c: Creating Additional Revenue

One of the most standard ways for department stores to create additional revenue is by holding major seasonal sales. Because the product life cycle of clothes tends to be fairly short, many stores have inventory left over by the time they have to replace old products with new products. Having a highly publicized sale allows for these leftover products to be sold, be it at a lower price than its retail value.

One key to making people spend more money is to convince people to stay out shopping longer. A way to do this is to provide adequate opportunity for people to take a break from shopping and rest. Many department stores provide these venues by creating food courts—or in high-end places by providing patisseries or coffee shops at which people can recharge before going back to shop some more.

I also think one of the more creative ways in which department stores have used their space to create additional revenue is through creative use of its open space. Another approach department stores can use to bring people to their stores is to provide an additional incentive to go to that location. A common approach used to achieve this in the U.S. has been to create playgrounds in the open areas of the department stores. This service often incentivizes families to go to a department store, simply because it allows an opportunity for their children to play.

 One more approach commonly used in Japanese department stores to bring more people to the site is to host certain “festivals” or special events in their open space. For example, department stores would often host weekly “mini fairs” on either the ground floor or the top floor, in which one area of the department store would be devoted to hosting jewelry/clothes/food from brands and shops that usually were not represented at the department store. The content would be changed frequently, and the department store would often be able to bring new people into the store by publicizing new, limited-time genres of offerings at their store.

2d: Potential New Ways of Splitting Space

There are several different directions department stores could potentially go in terms of splitting space differently. One direction would be to use space to create more personalized services to customers. Many of the spaces in department stores are “public”, but allocating a portion of space at high-end stores to allow for “private” space may allow for varying experiences for customers. Customers would be charged a premium for making use of these private spaces.

Another potential use may be to make the spaces more flexible. Instead of sticking with a model that leans heavily toward having “fixed” spaces, changing to a model in which it would be much simpler, cheaper, and quicker to change tenants may be an attractive approach for department stores that are pursuing a more trendy, up-to-date feel.

3: TIME

3a: Implicit or Explicit?

Department stores generally sell time implicitly: this is because the product being sold generally isn’t associated with a particular time limit. For example, it is not like a massage, where you are buying 60 minutes worth of service. The transaction is associated with a physical product unattached to time.

3c: Selling Time Explicitly

Time is currently being sold explicitly at certain department stores, although these cases are generally not a reflection of its overall business model. For example, some department stores may include shops that offer time-explicit services. Some department stores have massage shops, which are time-based service sales.

 As another example, some department stores in Japan have small football fields on their rooftops, which people can rent out on an hourly basis.

(http://www.futaba-sp.com/omiya/2010/03/post-23.html)

 

 

Some department stores also include game centers for children—some of these entertainment options include machines that run for a set period of time per game.

 

 

 

Department stores will often have restaurants on one of their floors. These restaurants can often choose to set time limits to each group of customers (ex. 2hr limit) to be able to take in more customers during peak times.

(http://www.mitokeisei.co.jp/shop/10_skygarden/11keizan.html)

 

 

 

3d: Creative Things to do with Time

There are a couple things that could be done creatively with time—some of which may already be being done to varying lengths at department stores. One might be to offer some sort of benefit if a certain amount of time is spent within the department store. For example, if a customer was to receive certain benefits if they stayed for 5 hours at a department store on an off-peak day, this could incentivize customers to spend more money during their wait time, and this could also help to improve the image of the department store by maintaining more customers.

 

Another thing they might potentially consider doing is to include shops that provide rental services. Some shops may already do tuxedo/dress rentals, which would be time-based; they could potentially take this further by doing time-based rentals of other high-end luxury clothes and accessories.

4a/b: Physical and Non-Physical Rate Fences

Below are several examples of physical rate fences (owner-tenant relationships are more likely to be involved with physical rate fences than the tenant-customer relationships)

  • (Owner-tenant POV) Depending on the size of the space being rented, owners can choose to increase or decrease the rates
  • (Owner-tenant POV) Certain areas of a department store are likely to be more popular/convenient; hence an owner can charge more depending on the location of the space within the store (http://www.ehow.com/facts_6313023_average-retail-lease_.html)
  • (Tenant-customer POV) For services such as restaurants within the department store, tenants can set rates by charging differently between open areas and private rooms

In terms of non-physical rate fences, I would say that there are many opportunities to create rate fences, depending on the type of service/product the store sells. There are also several opportunities within the owner-tenant relationship:

  • (Owner-tenant POV) Depending on the lease period, the owner can set different rates to charge the tenant
  • (Owner-tenant POV) Depending on the credibility/attractiveness of the tenant, the owner can set different rates
  • (Tenant-customer POV) Depending on the quality of the product, functionality of the product, or time/length of the service, rates can be set differently. There is an enormously wide range of examples of this in department stores. A Gap outlet, for example, may sell a tank top for $10, while a Burberry outlet would sell a similar styled tank top for $150. Similarly, a cell phone with 3G functionality may sell at a cell phone provider outlet at a certain price, while a phone with 4G functionality would sell at a much higher price.

4c: Creative Ways to Set Rate Fences

Some ways I can think of setting rate fences creatively is to perhaps offer more intangible services—rather than just the physical products. For example, an I Love Bangkok t-shirt may only cost $5 at the actual retail shop, but if the customer already knows what he/she wants, but doesn’t want to make the trip up 7 floors and 5 minutes of walking to get there, the store could potentially charge an extra $1 to have the t-shirt brought down to the concierge desk of the department store for a quick pick-up.

45,380 thoughts on “Department Store Industry

  1. Moreover, you can resume the download which you have stopped or paused at any time while using this excellent software. The straightforward UI makes IDM Crack user too friendly and comfortable even to use. Unlike other downloaders, it also maintains and accelerators during the downloading process.

  2. Our call girls in aerocity hold you in a sensual way you need with happiness. We provide naughty, delight, and romantic escorts service in Gurgaon . Time to experience the best escort administtrstions that is available Gurgaon escorts always for you.

  3. Game slot merupakan salah satu permainan terbaik yang bisa dengan mudah untuk anda mainkan, dan permainan yang satu ini juga bisa memberikan anda banyak keuntungan yang sangat besar sehingga anda bisa bermain dengan enjoy dan perasaan gembira. Untuk dapat mainkan permainan ini anda bisa bermain di AGEN JUDI ONLINE bet88score yang merupakan salah satu situs judi terbaik yang menyedikan deposit murah sebesar 25.000rb saja. Website: http://situsonline.flazio.com/

  4. Call girls in Kolkata

    kolkata call girls | call girls in Park Street | call girls in Salt Lake | call girls in New Town | call girls in Park Circus | call girls in Minto Park | call girls in Kankurgachi | call girls in Lake Town | call girls in Jatin Das Park | call girls in Dum Dum | call girls in Beck Bagan | call girls in Barabazar | call girls in Ballygunge | call girls in Esplanade | call girls in Tollygunge | call girls in Howrah | call girls in Airport Kolkata | escorts in Park Street | escorts in Salt Lake | escorts in New Town | escorts in Park Circus | escorts in Minto Park | escorts in Kankurgachi | escorts in Lake Town | escorts in Jatin Das Park | escorts in Dum Dum | escorts in Beck Bagan |escorts in Barabazar | escorts in Ballygunge | escorts in Esplanade | escorts in Tollygunge | escorts in Howrah | escorts in Airport Kolkata | Park Street escorts | Salt Lake escorts | New Town escorts | Park Circus escorts | Minto Park escorts | Kankurgachi escorts | Lake Town escorts | Jatin Das Park escorts | Dum Dum escorts | Beck Bagan escorts | Barabazar escorts | Ballygunge escorts | Esplanade escorts | Tollygunge escorts | Howrah escorts | Airport Kolkata escorts | call girls in kolkata | call girls kolkata | call girl in kolkata | call girl kolkata | call girls | call girl | call girls nearby me | kolkata call girls number |kolkata call girls |kolkata call girl |escort service in kolkata |escorts services in kolkata | kolkata escort service | college call girls in kolkata | college call girl in kolkata | college escorts in kolkata | college escort in kolkata | high profile call girls in kolkata | high profile call girl in kolkata | high profile escorts in kolkata | high profile escort in kolkata | bengali call girls in kolkata | bengali call girls kolkata | kolkata bengali call girls | bengali call girls | sexy bengali call girls | independent bengali call girls | hot bengali call girls | air hostess escorts in kolkata | kolkata air hostess escorts | air hostess call girls in kolkata | air hostess escorts in kolkata | celebrity escorts in kolkata | kolkata celebrity escorts | escorts in kolkata | escort in kolkata | female escorts in kolkata | female escort in kolkata | female escorts kolkata | kolkata female escorts | sexy female escorts in kolkata | foreigner escorts in kolkata | kolkata foreigner escorts | foreigner escorts service in kolkata | housewife escorts in kolkata | kolkata housewife escorts | independent call girls in kolkata | kolkata independent call girls | independent call girls | independent call girl | independent escorts in kolkata | kolkata independent escorts | kolkata independent escort | kolkata escorts | kolkata escort | model escorts in kolkata | kolkata model escorts | kolkata model call girls | russian escorts in kolkata | kolkata russian escorts |russian call girls in kolkata

  5. Enjoyed reading the article above , really explains everything in detail, the article is very interesting and effective. Thank you and good luck for the upcoming articles
    CRM Solutions

  6. PayPal Holdings, Inc., is an American company operating a worldwide online payments system. PayPal is one of the world’s largest Internet payment companies. The company operates as an acquirer, performing payment processing for online vendors, auction sites and other commercial users, for which it charges a fee. Click here for
    PayPal Customer Service

  7. I will provide you the guidelines for New Extender boot your Netwerk, speed for setup, visit the homepage.

  8. This is really one of the biggest department stores and stuff was very amazing. Biggest companies in the Department Stores industry in the US. Regional Outlook of Departmental Store Retailing Market. Global sales of the departmental store retailing market.office.com/setup

  9. Wavlink AC1200 Setup with the help of Wavlink’s dual-band wireless range extender, improve your wireless network gradually. It helps you to enjoy a hassle-free placement with a highly compact and convenient design. In addition, its elegant nature enables it to seamlessly fit in with your current home or office décor.

  10. Hey, I’m Isabella. I’m a web developer living in the United States, Georgia. I am a fan of technology, design, and writing. I’m also interested in web development and football. your blog is very beautiful usually I never comment on any blogs but your article so convincing that I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job Man, Keep it up. We are providing. platforms that offer various tools to build a website or to revamp the look of your existing website. for more information visit our website Website Activate

  11. Well explained blog the first step toward a sound reputation is deciding how you want your business to be perceived. Click now for Outlook 365 Login

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *