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.

306,285 thoughts on “Department Store Industry

  1. A North Dakota License Plate Search allows you to access information about a vehicle registered in the state using its license plate number. This search can provide details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN, while personal owner information remains protected by privacy laws. You can perform these searches through the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) or authorized third-party services. This service is useful for verifying vehicle information, researching a car’s history, and investigating legal issues, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

  2. A Rhode Island License Plate Search enables you to obtain information about a vehicle registered in the state using its license plate number. This search can provide details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN, while personal owner information is protected by privacy laws. You can conduct these searches through the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or authorized third-party services. This tool is valuable for verifying vehicle details, checking a car’s history, and investigating legal matters, all while adhering to privacy regulations.

  3. A South Carolina License Plate Search allows you to gather information about a vehicle registered in the state using its license plate number. This search can provide vehicle details like the make, model, year, and VIN, while protecting personal owner information due to privacy laws. You can perform these searches through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or authorized third-party services. It’s a useful tool for verifying vehicle information, investigating a car’s history, and handling legal matters, all within the bounds of privacy regulations.

  4. A South Dakota License Plate Search enables you to access details about a vehicle using its license plate number. This can provide information such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN, while personal owner information remains protected by privacy laws. You can conduct these searches through the South Dakota Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division or authorized third-party services. This service is helpful for verifying vehicle details, checking a car’s history, and investigating legal issues, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

  5. A West Virginia License Plate Search allows you to retrieve information about a vehicle using its license plate number. This search can reveal the vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN, while protecting the owner’s personal information due to privacy laws. You can perform these searches through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or approved third-party services. This service is useful for verifying vehicle details, researching a car’s history, and investigating legal matters, all in compliance with privacy regulations.

  6. A Montana License Plate Search helps you obtain details about a vehicle using its license plate number. Through this search, you can access information like the vehicle’s make, model, year, and VIN. Personal information about the owner is safeguarded by privacy laws. You can use the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) or authorized third-party services for these searches. This tool is beneficial for checking vehicle history, verifying details before buying, and investigating legal matters, all while adhering to privacy regulations.

  7. An Indiana License Plate Search allows you to gather information about a vehicle registered in Indiana using its license plate number. This search can provide details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, VIN, and registration status. Personal owner information is protected by privacy laws. You can perform searches through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) or authorized third-party services. This service is useful for verifying vehicle details, checking a car’s history, or investigating accidents and legal issues. Compliance with privacy regulations like the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is necessary when accessing these records.

  8. A New York License Plate Search enables you to obtain information about a vehicle registered in the state using its license plate number. This search can reveal details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, VIN, and registration status, though personal owner information is restricted by privacy laws. You can perform searches through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or authorized third-party websites. It’s important to comply with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) when accessing vehicle records. This service is particularly useful for verifying vehicle details before purchase, checking a car’s history, or investigating accidents and legal matters.

  9. A New York License Plate Search
    enables you to obtain information about a vehicle registered in the state using its license plate number. This search can reveal details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, VIN, and registration status, though personal owner information is restricted by privacy laws. You can perform searches through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or authorized third-party websites. It’s important to comply with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) when accessing vehicle records. This service is particularly useful for verifying vehicle details before purchase, checking a car’s history, or investigating accidents and legal matters.

  10. An Arizona License Plate Search allows individuals to obtain detailed information about a vehicle registered in Arizona by using its license plate number. This search can uncover details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, and the registered owner’s information. It is often used for purposes such as verifying vehicle ownership, checking for any outstanding liens or fines, and investigating potential fraud or accidents.

  11. A California License Plate Lookup is a tool used to gather information about a vehicle registered in California using its license plate number. This search can provide details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, and registration status, as well as information about the registered owner. It is commonly used for purposes like confirming vehicle ownership, investigating potential fraud, conducting background checks after accidents, or checking for outstanding fines or liens.

  12. Get Started with Illinois License Plate Search. Discover all you need to know about Illinois license plates. From types and requirements to renewal and customization options, we have you covered. Start your license plate lookup now to access important vehicle information.

  13. Obtaining a Michigan License Plate involves a straightforward process of checking availability, choosing a design, gathering required documents, visiting a Secretary of State office, completing forms, paying fees, and finally receiving your plates. By following these steps, you can ensure your vehicle is legally registered and ready for the road in Michigan.

  14. Mcw77, hay còn gọi là Mega Casino World (MCW), tự hào mang đến cho người chơi một trải nghiệm tuyệt vời với sự góp mặt của những nhà phát triển game hàng đầu thế giới. Tại đây, bạn sẽ được đắm mình trong những trò chơi đỉnh cao đến từ Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Playtech, và NetEnt.

  15. Awaji Island is a picturesque island located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Awaji Island is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. The island is dotted with lush greenery, beautiful beaches, and traditional Japanese gardens. The island is also famous for its rich cultural heritage, including historic temples, shrines, and museums. Visitors to Awaji Island can enjoy a relaxing getaway surrounded by natural beauty and immerse themselves in the island’s charming atmosphere.

    ヴィラ 淡路島
    https://villa-edge.com/

  16. JILIMACAO’s privacy policy ensures that all players’ personal information, including name, age, account number, email address and other personal information, is protected to the highest degree All player information at JILIMACAO is encrypted to ensure absolute confidentiality, not disclosing information to any third party.
    Website: https://jilimacao.net.ph/

  17. في ظل حرارة الدمام الحارقة، يعد مكيف الهواء الموثوق به بمثابة المنقذ للحياة، ولكن ماذا يحدث عندما يتخلى عن الشبح أخيرًا؟ وبدلاً من إرسالها إلى مكب النفايات، يشتري الأمير مكيفات الهواء المستعملة من المنازل والشركات، مما يمنحها فرصة جديدة للحياة. تكرس هذه الشركة المبتكرة في الدمام جهودها للحد من النفايات الإلكترونية وتعزيز الاستدامة في المنطقة. من خلال جمع وتجديد مكيفات الهواء المستعملة، لا تساعد شركة الأمير على الحفاظ على الموارد الطبيعية فحسب، بل توفر أيضًا حلاً ميسور التكلفة وصديق للبيئة لأولئك الذين يحتاجون إلى مساحة معيشة باردة ومريحة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، يضمن فريق الخبراء التابع للشركة أن يتم اختبار كل وحدة تم تجديدها بدقة واعتمادها لتلبية أعلى معايير الأداء والسلامة، مما يمنح العملاء راحة البال الكاملة.
    https://www.mkifatdmam.com/

  18. في مدينة الدمام الصحراوية الحارقة بالمملكة العربية السعودية، يعد البقاء هادئًا أولوية قصوى. ولهذا السبب جعلت شركة الأمير، الشركة الرائدة في المنطقة، من مهمتها تقديم حلول تكييف الهواء من الدرجة الأولى لعملائها. ولكن ما يميزهم عن غيرهم هو نهجهم الفريد تجاه الاستدامة – فهم يشترون مكيفات الهواء المستعملة! ومن خلال القيام بذلك، فإنهم لا يقللون من النفايات الإلكترونية فحسب، بل يقدمون أيضًا للعملاء بديلاً فعالاً من حيث التكلفة لشراء وحدات جديدة. يقوم فريق الخبراء الخاص بهم بفحص وتجديد كل وحدة بدقة، مما يضمن استيفائها لأعلى معايير الجودة والأداء. ومن خلال اختيار الأمير، يمكن للعملاء الاستمتاع بمساحة معيشة أو عمل أكثر برودة وأكثر راحة مع المساهمة أيضًا في مجتمع أكثر صداقة للبيئة. بفضل التزامها بإعادة التدوير وتقليل النفايات، تُحدث شركة الأمير ثورة في الطريقة التي يحافظ بها الناس على برودة حياتهم في الدمام.
    https://www.mkifatdmam.com/

  19. في مدينة الدمام الصحراوية الحارقة، بالمملكة العربية السعودية، حيث ترتفع درجات الحرارة غالبًا إلى ارتفاعات لا تطاق، لا تعد مكيفات الهواء مجرد رفاهية، ولكنها ضرورة. ولهذا السبب كرست شركة الأمير، وهي شركة ذات سمعة طيبة، نفسها لتزويد المواطنين بحل موثوق وبأسعار معقولة لاحتياجات التبريد الخاصة بهم. من خلال شراء مكيفات الهواء المستعملة، لا تقدم شركة الأمير بديلاً صديقًا للبيئة للتخلص من الوحدات القديمة التي لا تزال تعمل فحسب، بل توفر أيضًا طريقة فعالة من حيث التكلفة للأفراد والشركات للبقاء باردًا. يقوم خبراء الشركة بفحص وتجديد كل وحدة بدقة، للتأكد من أنها في حالة عمل جيدة قبل إعادة بيعها للعملاء. وهذا لا يساعد فقط على تقليل النفايات الإلكترونية، بل يتيح أيضًا لعدد أكبر من الأشخاص الاستمتاع بالراحة التي توفرها بيئة داخلية باردة ومريحة، مما يجعل الأمير https://www.mkifatdmam.com/

  20. J88 – J88.FAMILY – Thiên đường của các trò chơi đổi thưởng, nơi mang đến cho bet thủ những trải nghiệm đặt cược khó quên cùng nhiều ưu đãi cực giá trị.

  21. في مدينة الدمام الصحراوية الحارقة بالمملكة العربية السعودية، ظهرت منارة الأمل لأولئك الذين يسعون إلى تفريغ مكيفات الهواء المستعملة الخاصة بهم في شكل شركة الأمير. اتخذت هذه الشركة الرائدة زمام المبادرة لشراء مكيفات الهواء المستعملة من الأفراد والشركات، مما يوفر حلاً مناسبًا وصديقًا للبيئة لمشكلة النفايات الإلكترونية المتزايدة. من خلال شراء مكيفات الهواء المستعملة، لا يساعد الأمير على تنظيم المنازل والمكاتب فحسب، بل يقلل أيضًا من التأثير البيئي لتصنيع وحدات جديدة. إن التزام الشركة بإعادة التدوير وإعادة الاستخدام جعلها وجهة مفضلة لأولئك الذين يتطلعون إلى التخلص بشكل مسؤول من مكيفات الهواء القديمة الخاصة بهم، مع كسب بعض النقود الإضافية في هذه العملية. ومن خلال تركيزها على الاستدامة وراحة العملاء، أنشأت شركة الأمير نفسها كشركة رائدة في سوق مكيفات الهواء المستعملة في الدمام.
    https://www.mkifatdmam.com/

  22. A resignation agent service is a professional service that assists individuals in formally resigning from their positions or roles in a company. This service helps individuals navigate the process of submitting a resignation letter, communicating with the employer, and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to resign in a professional and respectful manner. Resignation agent services can provide guidance, support, and advice throughout the resignation process, helping individuals transition smoothly out of their current job and into a new chapter of their career.

    退職代行
    https://suisui-daikou.com/

  23. Alexistogel merupakan situs slot gacor dimana situs ini dilengkapi dengan rekomendasi pola-pola terbaik yang sangat menguntungkan saat ini. bandar togel

  24. Wow! Finally I got a web site from where I be able to in fact get valuable data regarding my study and knowledge. just like i found hotmail

  25. Sunwin là cổng game cá cược trực tuyến uy tín hàng đầu với số lượng lớn bet thủ tham gia. Muốn nắm bắt chi tiết về nhà cái tìm hiểu bài viết sau.
    #sunwin #conggamesunwin #sunwin88com #dangnhapsunwin #dangkysunwin

  26. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on distinct blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content off their writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d choose to use some with all the content in my small weblog whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll provide a link on your own internet weblog. Many thanks sharing. pengu

  27. So, do you really need a soft ass to spank and ride all night long? Do you need a hot submissive honey that will curl up to you in bed and beg you to punish her in ways that will make her moan out your name? Dharavi Escort Girls Then you must grab this exciting promotional offer and get 32% off of your first booking.

  28. Great job, I was doing a google search and your site came up for homes for sale in Altamonte Springs, FL but anyway, I have enjoyed reading it, keep it up! pafikabsigli.org

Leave a Reply

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