http://deniseleeyohn.com/bites/2008/09/08/saks-gets-it-bloomies-not-so-much/ stuff for your brain to chew on Thu, 17 May 2012 14:50:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://deniseleeyohn.com/bites/2008/09/08/saks-gets-it-bloomies-not-so-much/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Dan Ilves Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:51:29 +0000 http://deniseleeyohn.com/bites/?p=293#comment-31 Isn't the issue here which strategy will drive more consumers to buy their products? Both have strong respected brands, so the investment here isn't to further build brand stickiness (both work in my view) as to sell merchandise. It seems both are valid strategies. Bloomie's angle is that the live music will drive consumers into the store, where they can touch and feel (and smell) the merchandise, and hence bring them closer to a buying experience. Saks' strategy also makes sense, but doesn't necessarily engage the consumer to visit the store as much (but that might be arguable. Bloomie's strategy also reflects the importance of having a brick and mortar store, and the overhead that goes with that including sales staff, and you can't engage consumers with that investment unless you get them into the store. Saks may appeal to a different consumer as well, than Bloomie's does. While the online videos and catalogs are great in concept, that may or may not get consumers into the store -- and they can order online. While if that works it supports the goal of selling merchandise, but doesn't address the personal engagement in the store. Isn’t the issue here which strategy will drive more consumers to buy their products? Both have strong respected brands, so the investment here isn’t to further build brand stickiness (both work in my view) as to sell merchandise. It seems both are valid strategies. Bloomie’s angle is that the live music will drive consumers into the store, where they can touch and feel (and smell) the merchandise, and hence bring them closer to a buying experience. Saks’ strategy also makes sense, but doesn’t necessarily engage the consumer to visit the store as much (but that might be arguable. Bloomie’s strategy also reflects the importance of having a brick and mortar store, and the overhead that goes with that including sales staff, and you can’t engage consumers with that investment unless you get them into the store. Saks may appeal to a different consumer as well, than Bloomie’s does. While the online videos and catalogs are great in concept, that may or may not get consumers into the store — and they can order online. While if that works it supports the goal of selling merchandise, but doesn’t address the personal engagement in the store.

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