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.

45,534 thoughts on “Department Store Industry

  1. Hi Rambo, I too have the same question a… just a little confused with your question above sorry… Its some of good topic that RAMBOTOTO leads me here.
    Thanks before..

  2. If you are looking for high-quality Assignment Help USA Online, go no further. Our platform is dedicated to offering high-quality help to students at all academic levels. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing specialized solutions to your specific assignment requirements. Whether you’re dealing with complex research papers, difficult essays, or any other academic assignment, our professionals can help you get through it. Our assignment support services, which prioritize quality, reliability, and originality, are intended to improve your academic success.

  3. VN88 là nhà cung cấp hàng đầu và chuyên nghiệp trong lĩnh vực cá cược tại thị trường Việt Nam. Chúng tôi cam kết cung cấp cho khách hàng những dịch vụ tốt nhất với chất lượng không thể tin tưởng hơn.

  4. Rikvip, cổng game Đại gia số 1 Việt Nam, mang đến trải nghiệm chơi game đỉnh cao với link tải game Rik Vip chính thức mới nhất 2024. Tại Rikvip, bạn có thể thỏa sức tham gia các trò chơi bài và nổ hũ với tỷ lệ cược hấp dẫn. Hãy tải ngay Rikvip tại rikvipp.bet để tận hưởng những giây phút giải trí tuyệt vời và cơ hội trúng thưởng lớn.

  5. Sun52 là cổng game bài đổi thưởng hàng đầu hiện nay, cung cấp trải nghiệm đẳng cấp quốc tế với trò chơi đa dạng và cộng đồng người chơi đông đảo. Nhà phát hành đến từ Dubai đảm bảo uy tín và an toàn. Tại Sun52, bạn nhận ngay gifcode 200K, nạp đổi 1:1 và rút tiền nhanh trong 10 giây. Tải ngay Sun52 tại sun52 để tham gia đánh bài, tài xỉu, slot với tỷ lệ thưởng hấp dẫn hàng đầu.

  6. As a leading provider of outsource accounting services, KMK Ventures caters to a diverse range of global industries. Our seasoned team of accounting professionals understands the unique financial challenges faced by different sectors, tailoring solutions to meet each client’s specific needs. Leveraging extensive expertise in financial management and a commitment to staying abreast of emerging industry trends and regulations, KMK ensures exceptional quality in accounts outsourcing services. We offer more than traditional accounting, delivering comprehensive, cutting-edge solutions to optimize business performance. Partner with KMK Ventures for innovative support and unparalleled expertise in outsourced accounting services

  7. Nhà cái w388 Pink ra đời vào năm 2020 và đã nhanh chóng khẳng định được vị thế của mình trong ngành công nghiệp giải trí trực tuyến. Với sự phát triển nhanh chóng và không ngừng cải thiện chất lượng dịch vụ, w388 Pink đã trở thành một tên tuổi uy tín trong lĩnh vực cá cược trực tuyến.

  8. Offshore staffing for CPA firms provides an efficient solution to meet the growing demands of the accounting industry. By leveraging a global talent pool, CPA firms can enhance their productivity, reduce costs, and maintain high standards of service delivery. Offshore staffing ensures that firms have access to skilled professionals who can handle various accounting tasks, allowing in-house teams to focus on strategic initiatives and client relationships.

  9. 爱游戏体育平台是一家专注于体育娱乐的领先平台。我们提供全球范围内最全面的体育赛事投注,让用户尽享刺激和娱乐。注册爱游戏体育平台,您将体验到最好的赛事服务。
     

  10. 爱游戏体育平台是一家专注于体育娱乐的领先平台。我们提供全球范围内最全面的体育赛事投注,让用户尽享刺激和娱乐。注册爱游戏体育平台,您将体验到最好的赛事服务。wedsite: https://aiyouxi.io/

  11. Hey there! Stay on top of all the cricket action with qbetcasino Whether it’s live scores, match results, or breaking news about your favorite teams and players, we’ve got it all covered!

  12. you select a very good topic really your giving a valuable information for user who likes your blogs. so i think you may write more blogs like this really i appriciate you. thank you. >”https://embeddedhash.in/embedded-systems-course-in-hyderabad”embedded systems in hyderabad<

  13. Kurti sets have become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, blending traditional elegance with contemporary fashion trends. Whether you’re heading to work, a casual outing, or a festive gathering, here’s why kurti sets are the perfect choice for all occasions. Kurti sets come in a wide range of designs, from classic to modern interpretations. Kurti set for women are a timeless addition to any woman’s wardrobe, offering versatility, comfort, and elegance.

  14. Kurti sets have become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, blending traditional elegance with contemporary fashion trends. Whether you’re heading to work, a casual outing, or a festive gathering, here’s why kurti sets are the perfect choice for all occasions. Kurti sets come in a wide range of designs, from classic to modern interpretations.
    kurti set for women are a timeless addition to any woman’s wardrobe, offering versatility, comfort, and elegance.

  15. Kurti sets have become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, blending traditional elegance with contemporary fashion trends. Whether you’re heading to work, a casual outing, or a festive gathering, here’s why kurti sets are the perfect choice for all occasions. Kurti sets come in a wide range of designs, from classic to modern interpretations. kurti set for women are a timeless addition to any woman’s wardrobe, offering versatility, comfort, and elegance.

  16. Trong thế giới giải trí cá cược sôi động như hiện nay, cái tên I9bet đã nhanh chóng khẳng định vị thế của mình như một huyền thoại mà anh em dân cược không thể không biêt đến

  17. Promoedge Media Pvt. Ltd is a premier Production House in Delhi, renowned for its expertise in producing compelling and high-quality video content. Promoedge Media is committed to helping brands elevate their presence through impactful and memorable media.

  18. Promoedge Media Pvt Ltd is a premier Production House in Delhi, renowned for its expertise in producing compelling and high-quality video content. Promoedge Media is committed to helping brands elevate their presence through impactful and memorable media.

  19. Nhà cái w388 Pink ra đời vào năm 2020 và đã nhanh chóng khẳng định được vị thế của mình trong ngành công nghiệp giải trí trực tuyến. Được bình chọn là một trong 10 nhà cái uy tín nhất châu Á trong lĩnh vực cá cược bóng đá và game bài giải trí, Casino đã thu hút hàng triệu người chơi nhờ vào sự minh bạch, an toàn và chất lượng dịch vụ vượt trội.

  20. Hey there! Stay on top of all the cricket action with bcasino Whether it’s live scores, match results, or breaking news about your favorite teams and players, we’ve got it all covered!

  21. Nhà cái Thabet không chỉ là một cái tên nổi bật trong ngành cá cược trực tuyến mà còn là biểu tượng của sự uy tín, chất lượng và dịch vụ khách hàng hoàn hảo. Với sự phát triển mạnh mẽ và không ngừng đổi mới, Thabet đã xây dựng được lòng tin vững chắc từ cộng đồng người chơi trên toàn thế giới.

  22. Nhà cái Thabet không chỉ là một cái tên trong ngành cá cược trực tuyến mà còn là biểu tượng của sự uy tín, chất lượng và dịch vụ khách hàng hoàn hảo. Với giấy phép từ các cơ quan quản lý uy tín, Thabet đảm bảo mọi hoạt động đều minh bạch và an toàn tuyệt đối cho người chơi.

  23. The whole idea behind our full body near me massage spa in Chennai branch of acara spa is to work on the different muscles of the back, legs, arms, feet, heads, hands, torso, neck and shoulders to ease every knot of tension and help you relax. Whole-body massages reach the deepest tissues and improve circulation to improve well-being and total health.

  24. 爱体育官网
    爱体育(ATY SPORTS)每天为您提供近千场精彩体育赛事,更有真人、棋牌、彩票、电竞、世界各地赛事,更有动画直播、视频直播等。爱体育邀您共赢欧洲杯,每日每场皆有奖,请点击下面注册入口进行查看,重磅福利享不停,等您参加!

  25. 爱体育官网爱体育(ATY SPORTS)每天为您提供近千场精彩体育赛事,更有真人、棋牌、彩票、电竞、世界各地赛事,更有动画直播、视频直播等。爱体育邀您共赢欧洲杯,每日每场皆有奖,请点击下面注册入口进行查看,重磅福利享不停,等您参加!

  26. شركة عزل اسطح بالرياض هي شركة مفتاح التطوير للمقاولات العامة التي تمتلك أفضل فريق عمل مجهز على أعلى خبرة و جوده في مجال العزل، تستخدم أحدث الوسائل و التقنيات الحديثة لتنفيذ عملية العزل، تمتلك أحدث الأجهزة و الماكينات الحديثة المتخصصة في عملية العزل بصورة نهائية.

    القي نظرة خفيفة على الموقع :
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcJy5MgWfdk4r3s48

  27. VN88 – Nhà cung cấp hàng đầu và chuyên BET của thị trường cá cược tại Việt Nam, cam kết mang đến dịch vụ chất lượng hàng đầu cho khách hàng.#vn88 #nhacaivn88 #vn88casino #dangnhapvn88 #dangkyvn88 #trangchuvn88

  28. فيتال بلانت

    نوفر لكم أفضل المكملات الغذائية المدعومة علميًا لتحسين طاقتك، ومزاجك، وصحتك العامة.

    القي نظرة خفيفة على الموقع :
    https://vital-plants.com/

  29. Introducing Our Consultancy Services
    Welcome to Azeta Consulting, your premier consultancy for businesses looking to expand into the African market. We specialize in providing tailored services to companies from Africa and Europe, helping them successfully enter and establish their operations in Africa. Our expertise covers partner research, funding acquisition, and comprehensive support for setting up and growing your business. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth and profitable transition into one of the world’s most vibrant and fast-growing markets.

    Why Africa?
    Africa offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses seeking new markets. With its diverse economies, expanding consumer base, rich natural resources, and improving political stability, Africa is a prime location for international business expansion. Our consultancy helps you navigate these opportunities with confidence, ensuring minimal risks and maximum returns.

    Our Services
    Partner Research and Connections

    We identify and connect you with reliable local partners, suppliers, and distributors.
    We facilitate introductions to key industry stakeholders and decision-makers.
    Our vast network ensures you find the most suitable partners for your business needs.
    Funding and Financial Assistance

    We help you identify and secure various funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and investment incentives from local and international sources.
    Our team provides expert advice on navigating the financial landscape to ensure your business is well-funded for growth.
    We assist in preparing and presenting persuasive business proposals to attract investors.
    Business Setup and Support

    We offer comprehensive assistance with legal and regulatory requirements for establishing a business in Africa.
    We help you find optimal locations for your operations, be it office space, retail locations, or manufacturing facilities.
    Our ongoing support services include HR management, administrative tasks, and local market insights to ensure your business runs efficiently.
    Our Approach
    Our consultancy is dedicated to providing personalized solutions that align with your specific needs and goals. We focus on:

    Customized Strategies: We develop tailored strategies to meet your unique business requirements.
    Local Insights: Our deep understanding of the African market dynamics and regulatory environment ensures informed decision-making.
    Long-term Success: We prioritize sustainable growth and long-term success for your business.
    Success Stories
    We are proud of our track record in helping African and European businesses successfully enter and thrive in the African market. From small startups to large multinational corporations, our clients benefit from our strategic insights and hands-on support.

    Take the Next Step
    Are you ready to explore the vast opportunities that Africa has to offer? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards successful business expansion in Africa.
    At Azeta Consulting, we are committed to your success. Let us help you connect your business ambitions with the immense opportunities in Africa. Partner research and business setup support in Africa

Leave a Reply

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