COLOR: 15-5519 TX turquoise.

Turquoise was voted 2k10's "color of the year" by Pantone (the global authority of color) and provider of professional color standards for the design industry. "Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing."



Because of its versatility, Turquoise is a great accent color in furniture, wall paint, tile, cell phones and even nail polish for women.



"In fashion, Turquoise makes a statement that can look elegant and dressy in silks and gemstones, or casual and fun in cotton and athletic apparel. For men, chinos and ties, shirts and sportswear also look great in turquoise."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
http://www.freshnessmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/g-shock-01.jpg
http://s2.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Tripp-Turquoise-Double-Zipper_CB8B6175.jpg
http://thekickshop.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/air-max-1-metallic-silver-turquoise-01a.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI7Uay876afcZqpm-Qtw7ZkJAuoBpbzko5l1LuGLuYipW2IF9OWr28pdfuvtdn7BdHgHue3lMIoxhWdeBW1brpZcen3Rm-v73me-r2jsIjsTju-HLvjo5WTCStoXQDRV0MnyeByCVRJY/s320/turq+sofa+bikini.jpg
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/sa/savile-row-turquoise-pure-silk-tie.jpg
http://shadesdaddy.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/ashley-tisdale-660.jpg
http://www.ralphlauren.com/frontdoor/index.jsp
http://images2.layoutsparks.com/1/191490/turquoise-4-blue-collage.jpg
http://static.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/blake_lively_052109_splash_m.jpg

Location & it's Advantages

Location, Location, Location!

For this assignment I visited the Harris Teeter in Fuquay-Varina, Nc. I conducted this experiment when I went home for spring break which is why my location is not in Greensboro.

Harris Teeter is located in a shopping center that also contains an Italian restaraunt, an AT&T store, a nail salon, and an Urgent Care. This particular Harris Teeter location is at an advantage because since it is not freestanding people are coming to the shopping center for other reasons. When adults are out running errands they often remember various groceries they are in need of, and because of this Harris Teeter benefits considering the proximity.

This particular Harris Teeter is also at an advantage because it is the only grocery store of its kind within a ten mile radius. Harris Teeter tends to be more expensive because it carries specialty products and quality meats, and for this reason people plan their grocery trips around going to Harris Teeter because they do carry these speciality products.

The Harris Teeter in Fuquay-Varina is located of the main street in town. This is another reason why it is a successful location, it is clearly visible from the street and contains adequate and accesible parking. Pedestrain traffic is limited only because there are numerous shops in this one center that an individual is going to need to visit.

Why have businesses failed?

FAIL
Our economy has been in a downward spiral for the last eight years, and because of that their are stores, companies, and franchises that just havent been tough enough to weather the storm. Businesses in all categories have continuously failed over the past eight years and will continue to fail for the next year or so as we near the end of America's economic downfall.

One such retailer is Circuit City. Circuit City was founded in Richmond by Samuel Wurtzel in 1949 as a TV store. This retailer began losing money when competing retailers started offering televisions and computers at lower prices because of the recession. On November 10 2008 Circuit City filed for bankrupt protection, and on January 17 2009 they began there closing sale which consists of 567 stores. (money.aol.com)

Circuit City has failed at all attempts to sell their company. There stocks are worthless and they have left 30,000 employess jobless. (bloomberg.com) Circuit City is estimated to have $1.3 billion in inventory which will go to the various companies that won liquidation rights. Best Buy is Circuit City's main competetor and is said to benefit the most from their going out of business.

sources:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aoXcWLaVIkTs&refer=home

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/circuit-city-to-go-out-of-business/309313

VALS: Target Audiences

How'd They Know?

Before taking the VALS survey I thought to myself "why are we having to do this dumb survey thats only going to steroetype me into a few random categories," but after taking it a reviewing my results I realized that there is much truth involved in this survey. VALS is suprisingly accurate and extremely realistic.

VALS categorized me first as an "experiencer" who are said to "seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities. Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff." This is not only an accurate description of me, but of many young people. Generation X is consumed with entertainment, and through entertainment we socialize and decide what is "fashionable."

VALS categorized me secondarily as an "innovator" who are said to "Innovators are very active consumers, and their purchases reflect cultivated tastes for upscale, niche products and services.Image is important to Innovators, not as evidence of status or power but as an expression of their taste, independence, and personality. Innovators are among the established and emerging leaders in business and government, yet they continue to seek challenges. Their lives are characterized by variety. Their possessions and recreation reflect a cultivated taste for the finer things in life." This is correct in that this is not my primary focus in life, but I do like being first, being the best, and looking good doing it. I dont feel complete with out the newest, highest quality products.

Favorite Retailer: History

Nordstrom & it's Beginning.

Nordstrom was founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl Wallin. Wallin and Nordstrom shoe store first opened in downtown Seattle in 1901. The pair opened their second store in 1923, and in 1928 Nordstrom sold his share in the company to his two sons. A year later Wallin sold his share to the Nordstrom sons, and in 1933 the third Nordstrom son joined his brothers.

"From the beginning, John's business philosophy was based on exceptional service, selection, quality and value." (Nordstrom.com)  Nordstrom was strictly a shoe store until 1963 when they expanded into clothing . Mens and children's clothing were added in 1966, and in 1968 the three brothers retired and passed the business along to five family members.

Nordstrom is a public company, with stores all over the country. Nordstrom carries selections of the finest apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family. Nordstrom's philosophy on customer service and product quality remains unchanged since 1901, attributes which helped them earne 8.27 billion dollars in 2008.

My Favorite Retailer

Why Nordstrom?

There are many places that I enjoy shopping and that most certainly enjoy taking my money, but if I had to choose my favorite retailer it would be Nordstrom. My mother used to talk about Nordtrom and rave about all the beautiful things they had, but because we live in rural North Carolina the closest Nordstrom was two hours away. I think I was thirteen the first time I went inside a Nordstrom, South Point mall in Durham had just been built and my mom took my sisters and I to go shopping.

I like Nordstrom because they have a vast assortment of awesome jeans. I wear Seven jeans because I like the way my butt looks. I wear True Religion jeans because they are very durable, they do not fade, and they fit me quite nicely. I wear James jeans because they are just amazing. James jeans are my favorite jeans because they fit me absolutely perfectly.

Another reason I like Nordstrom is because of the make-up lines they carry. I love MAC make-up, and appreciate the talent of the women and men who do make-up at the MAC booths. MAC's foundation covers the best, they have the boldest eyeshadow and the employees at MAC do a great job applying bold make-up. I like the bold look and utter glamour of MAC.

I shop at Nordstrom because of the beautiful shoes they carry. Nordstrom carries the classiest, most fabulous brands and styles of shoes. If I ever need a great pair of shoes and Im not quite sure what the shoe needs to look like, I can always go to Nordstrom and find something.

Although there are things at Nordstrom that are very expensive, I like Nordstrom because they do carry cheaper brands. Even though the not so well-known brands are cheaper, they are just as chic, and make wonderful pieces that are easily combined with various outfits.

The ultimate reason that Nordstrom is my favorite retailer is the fact that I can go to Nordstrom and find everything I need. Nordstrom is a one stop shop in that when I shop there I can find great clothes, shoes, make-up, and jewelry. 

How has the housing crisis affected home fashion retail?

Quality vs. Quanity

The two main things that have been affected by the diminishing housing market are quality and quantity. Not only has home quality gone down, because every contractor is trying to build the cheapest home and still make money, but they quantity of homes being built and the contractors building them has gone down significantly. If homes are not selling and homes are not being built then people are losing money and they are losing jobs.

In regards to home furnishings it's the battle of the Q's. Again quality vs. quantity comes into play again when people are buying furnishings for their newly purchased homes.

The first group of people are buying quality homes and either buying cheaper furniture to compromise with their expensive home, or just not buying as much furniture as the usually might. These people have adopted a mentality along the lines of not caring so much about the quality of the inside of their home, so long as the outside looks nice. Some people might do a combination of the two. 

The second group of people are buying less expensive homes in hopes to lavishly furnish them. Whether the home is smaller or just of lesser quality I do not know, but their are people spending less on homes in hopes of decorating them the way they wish on the inside.

My personal thoughts would be to have a combination of quality and quantity. No one wants an ugly house on the outside, or a tacky house on the inside. So, to solve this problem with the modern economy in mind, one must opt for the smaller home in hopes to furnish it elegantly.