North Face vs. Columbia Sportswear : May 2013

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Works Citations

Works Cited

Information:

"Columbia Milestones." Columbia Sportswear. Columbia Sportswear Company, 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

Cheung, Grace. "Brand Analysis: The North Face." Brand Analysis: The North Face. The North Face, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

Dooley, Roger. "Five Magic Days to Sell (to Women)." Neuromarketing RSS. Neuroscience Marketing, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

"Marketing Plan: New Company, New Product." Marketing Plan: New Company, New Product. SlideShare Inc., 2013. Web. 12 May 2013.

"Marketing Strategy: North Face Aims to Become the “Nike of Outdoors”." Marketing Strategy: North Face Aims to Become the “Nike of Outdoors”. Tutor2u Limited, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

SBA. "America's Best: Columbia Sportswear." YouTube. YouTube, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.

Siemers, Erik. "Columbia Sportswear Distributes $80,000 in Grants for Conservative Projects." Sustainablebusinessoregon.com. American City Business Journals, 2013. Web. 9 May 2013.

"Shop By Activity." The North Face. The North Face, 2013. Web. 9 May 2013n:

"Slidehsare.net: The Leading Slide Hs Are Site on the Net." Slidehsare.net: The Leading Slide Hs Are Site on the Net. SlideShare Inc., 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

Videos:

"Columbia Sportswear At Outdoor Retailer 2011 | Content Marketing & Event Experience." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Feb. 2011. Web. 10 May 2013

"2011 The North Face Commercial, Never Stop Exploring." YouTube. YouTube, 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.

Pictures:

Bethany. "Volunteer Match | I Heart Frisco – Frisco Blog, Frisco News, Frisco Reviews." I Heart Frisco Frisco Blog Frisco News Frisco Reviews Volunteer Match Tag. N.p., 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 15 May 2013.

"Bonneville Environmental Foundation." Greensportsalliance.org. Green Sports Alliance, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

"Classic Water Solutions | Official Website." Classic Water Solutions. Classic Water Solutions, 2012. Web. 10 May 2013

Collins, Matt. "Snowboarding." Snowboarding. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Columbia Milestones." Columbia Sportswear. Columbia Sportswear Company, 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Columbia Sportswear New Team High Road Title Sponsor - BikeRadar." BikeRadar. Future Publishing Limited, 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Emergency Management & Safety Solutions." Emergency Management Safety Solutions. Emergency Management & Safety Solutions, Inc, 2013. Web. 16 May 2013.

"General Information." South Dakota Hunting: Photos, Videos and More. South Dakota Department of Tourism, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

"Hiking,Biking, & Nature Trail Design." Switchbacks.NET. Switchback Trai Design & Construction, 2009. Web. 10 May 2013.

Issamar. "Innovative Marketing Ideas: Getting Oprah, Donald Trump, or a Giant Spine in Your Marketing." Marketing Strategy Kosher RSS. Marketing, Strategy, Kosher!, 7 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.

Jon. "News « Phillips Flurry." Phillips Flurry. The Crazy Loon, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

Konsmo, Erik. "Skiing-ski-snow-desktop-hd-amazing-fresh." Skiing-ski-snow-desktop-hd-amazing-fresh. N.p., 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Medusa Web Solutions - E-Enabling Businesses and Increasing Performance through Effective IT Solutions." Medusa Web Solutions - E-Enabling Businesses and Increasing Performance through Effective IT Solutions. Medusa Web Solutions, 2010. Web. 16 May 2013.

"New Element Yoga | Experience the Serenity of Yoga from Your Home." New Element Yoga RSS. N.p., 2011. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Organization." Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP). GreenBiz Group, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

"Over 40 Years of Innovation and Exploration." About Us. The North Face, 2013. Web. 9 May 2013.

Parker, Ian. "The Parker Lab at UCI (nonscientific Adventures- Climbing in Britian)." The Parker Lab at UCI (nonscientific Adventures- Climbing in Britian). N.p., 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 09 May 2013.

Plosser, Liz. "RUNNING TO LOSE WEIGHT." Womenshealthmag.com. Rodale Inc, 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Printing and Design News for Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley CA." Printing and Design News for Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley CA. Clear Print, Inc, 2013. Web. 16 May 2013.

Samure, Natalie. "PROSAR Inbound Blog." 13 Brand Blunders Busted! Prosar Inbound, Inc, 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 May 2013.

"Slidehsare.net: The Leading Slide Hs Are Site on the Net." Slidehsare.net: The Leading Slide Hs Are Site on the Net. SlideShare Inc., 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Stock Photo - Bar Graphs - Descending - Perspective View." 123RF Stock Photos. N.p., 7 May 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

"Stock Photo - Crossfit Woman Doing Push-ups during Outdoor Cross Training Workout Beautiful Young and Fit Fitness Sport Model Training outside in Fall." 123RF Stock Photos. N.p., 5 May 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

"The North Face." Outlets at Castle Rock. Craig Realty Group, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

"Via Alpina Trail Dispatches Austria." National Geographic Adventure. National Geographic Society, 2007. Web. 9 Mar. 2013.

"Winter Is Coming." Pivot Conference 2013. The Tomorrow Project, 2012. Web. 10 May 2013.

Zupp, Adrian. "Fishing Is More Than Just a Relaxing Pastime; It Can Help With PTSD Symptoms." Militarymentalhealth.org. Screening for Menal Health, Inc., 30 Mar. 2012. Web. 9 May 2013.

Conclusion

In Conclusion the North Face affects more people economically than Columbia Sportswear. The North Face made a revenue of $7.6 Billion dollars, while Columbia made about $ 1.29 Billion dollars, as you compare the number, it’s obvious to see that North Face has made more money and so they earn more money from the people. Another thing is the number of employees, North Face has 5,452 while Columbia has 3,163; this shows that since there are more employees they affect more people around the world. Lastly when it comes to international marketing, the North Face has been more successful than Columbia Sportswear, so this too proves that they affect more people.

Columbia Global Product Outreach

Columbia Sportswear has expanded their markets to Asia, Europe, Canda, and Africa, but they have mmade little success internationally. With the competition of other more well known retail stores, there products are nothing compared to well known brands like the North Face, Nike, Adidas and etc.
In 2007, they made a revenue of $1.2 Billion dollars, but when you really think about it, it's about the same amount of revenue made in the US alone, so there isn't any money made from international marketing.

http://www.prosar.com/inbound_marketing_blog/bid/166485/13-Brand-Blunders-Busted

Samure, Natalie. "PROSAR Inbound Blog." 13 Brand Blunders Busted! Prosar Inbound, Inc, 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 May 2013.

North Face Global Product Outreach

The North Face sporting goods are sold to countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia. In Europe and Asia there are more than 250 stores operated by a third party, when mentioning third party, it means that it’s not directly sold to the people from the Company, but that it comes from people who purchase it themselves and sell it to the public. Then there are 50 company-owned European and US also including the internet.

http://ems-solutionsinc.com/blog/h1n1swine-flu-who-global-update-great-on-line-class-on-vaccine-basics/

"Emergency Management & Safety Solutions." Emergency Management Safety Solutions. Emergency Management & Safety Solutions, Inc, 2013. Web. 16 May 2013.

Columbia Manufactoring Industry

· Columbia is a company with a fast growing production, in 2007 they had a revenue of $1.29 Billion dollars. Also the numbers of employees was counted for in 2008 and it came out to be 3,163 employees, which is counting the number of employees in just the states alone. Comparing with North Face who has double the number of employees and over 7x the amount of revenues made as well, but they have made in increase in revenue just like the North Face.

http://www.clearprint.com/articles/general/print-high-roi/attachment/tree-growing-out-of-money

"Printing and Design News for Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley CA." Printing and Design News for Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley CA. Clear Print, Inc, 2013. Web. 16 May 2013.

North Face Manufactoring Industry

The North Face is a company that makes one of the most revenues compare to other brands that sell sports equipment and sports clothing. In 2007, North Face had a revenue of $7.2 Billion dollars.They made about $7.6billlion dollars in 2008, which is little bit more than the amount of revenue they made in 2007. Also they have around 5,452 employees, which is quite a lot more than the number of employees that Columbia has.

http://www.medusawebsolutions.com/helping_your_business.aspx

Columbia Weaknesses

With the competition heating up with all the brands that sell outdoor clothing and sports equipment and such, they have had to make a decision that will affect their revenue, and that is the cost. When Columbia increased their cost for their products, they have decreased in revenue growth; the decrease in revenue has impacted the demand in a negative manner, less people are purchasing any Columbia products. Comparing to the North Face, Columbia has not been very successful when it comes to selling their products internationally around the world. They have not been making that much money because of other well known brands are taking over the international market.

http://www.123rf.com/photo_7929764_bar-graphs--descending--perspective-view.html
"Stock Photo - Bar Graphs - Descending - Perspective View." 123RF Stock Photos. N.p., 7 May 2013. Web. 10 May 2013

North Face Weaknesses

The North Face may seem like a wonderful store, it's just like anyother store where it has it's negative aspects as well. The main problem with the North Face to most people, is the price of their products. Comparing the North Face and Columbia Sportswear, Columbia Sportswear is cheaper than the North Face. Another problem that they have is the employees do not have a high opinion of management, so that means that the employees do not have a certain way to manage things, instead they will just get things done but not in the best orderly fashion. Adding onto the employees, they’re confidence is low, which is not a good thing for the company since it can ruin the company at some point in time.

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-67970656/stock-photo-golden-hand-expression-with-finger-snapping-or-expensive-money-meaning.html

"Golden Hand Expression with Finger Snapping or Expensive-money Meaning." Shutterstock. Shutterstock, Inc, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

Columbia Strengths

Columbia has a lot of positive aspects that are shown with it’s company; their brand name shows their strength with their quality and durability. Columbia is known to have good quality clothing, but not a high quality like the North Face. Financially they are doing well off, they make a good amount of revenue, and they haven’t hit any pitfalls that have affected them financially. As they are expanding their work to more parts of the world, they show an innovative marketing system.

http://issamar.com/strategy/innovative-marketing-ideas/
Issamar. "Innovative Marketing Ideas: Getting Oprah, Donald Trump, or a Giant Spine in Your Marketing." Marketing Strategy Kosher RSS. Marketing, Strategy, Kosher!, 7 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.

North Face Strengths

The North Face has some positive aspects, one is that they make a commitment to their community. For Example, the North Face employees volunteered on Earth Day and that day there was a total of 700 hours logged, this shows they take care of things seriously, also to add on the North Face company works with 20 different environmental organizations to help keep their community clean. Another good aspect about the North Face, would be that the they give wonderful store experience, with their friendly employees and innovative kiosks. The North Face also focuses on product technology, which is a huge factor in their marketing strategy.

http://www.iheartfris.co/tag/volunteer-match/

Columbia Marketing Strategy

Focus most snow boarders ages ranging from 12-24years old, and for females it’s roughly up to 25 percent. They are aiming for cold season products, because it’s time where people are trying to stay warm so they make big purchases to stay warm during the cold season. The sport snowboarding, is a very popular sport with people, and because it’s popular and growing in popularity, they wanted to focus their target there so that they can popular as well. There is a bigger age range for Columbia than the North Face, but there is a reason for it. Columbia is thinking of getting young kids included for their product, because they want to start from a young kid to a more older age to get the people to remember the brand and have it be more well known.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afCtR8GslFc

"Columbia Sportswear At Outdoor Retailer 2011 | Content Marketing & Event Experience." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Feb. 2011. Web. 10 May 2013

North Face Marketing Strategy

For the North Face, they have a more concentrated target to focus on, and that is to aim for 18-24 year old students attending college. As you can compare with Columbia sportswear company, they have a litter bigger age range set as their goal and that’s why them have more products for young kids than the North Face. But they are not just focusing on the age group, there are other things that are targeted as well. To be more specific, they are looking at the college students who are in the middle class who live in the MidWest Region of the US and staying warm during the cold seasons. So basically what this brings us to is , they are focusing on products for college students living in the Central time to college students living in Eastern Time and staying warm during the cold seasons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyLsFZkQiS0

"2011 The North Face Commercial, Never Stop Exploring." YouTube. YouTube, 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.

Columbia Purchasing Behavior

Throughout the years Columbia has been in business, there has been less frequent purchases made for their company, so this means people don’t usually buy Columbia products a lot, they buy something from the brand every once in a while. They also have a greater consumer investment. More intensive personal selling is done as well, which is a good way to get more customers since you are talking to them in person and telling them the good qualities about Columbia.

http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/five-magic-days-to-sell-to-women.htm
Dooley, Roger. "Five Magic Days to Sell (to Women)." Neuromarketing RSS. Neuroscience Marketing, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013

North Face Purchasing Behavior

When looking at the North Face company, the main influence of purchasing behavior would be the cost of the products. Their products are always competitively priced with other brands to provide the highest quality of products. Based on the graph shown below, 20% of customers say that their parent’s influence them when they are deciding to buy a product, it’s most likely that the parent’s are the one’s making the purchase. This information also shows, why they target the college students, since they are in college and usually don’t have the money to buy high quality products like the North Face, and if they target them they can also get the money approved from their parents. Also seen in the graph, the friends influence makes up 58.8% which is over half so that means, that suggestions from friends can also lead to making purchases as well.
http://www.slideshare.net/crsaygun/marketing-plan-new-company-new-product

"Slidehsare.net: The Leading Slide Hs Are Site on the Net." Slidehsare.net: The Leading Slide Hs Are Site on the Net. SlideShare Inc., 2013. Web. 09 May 2013.

Columbia Sportswear History

Columbia is a family company, the owner of the company is Gert Boyle’s who is a German that fled Germany to Portland in 1938, due to the rein of the Nazi’s at the time. While at Portland, she purchased a small company and named it Columbia Hat Company, this is the start of what is currently known as Columbia Sportswear Company. At Portland she was able to start fresh from the beginning and attained a new freedom of being able to work her own business. As mentioned Columbia being a family business, later on Gert’s husband took over the company, but later when he died Gert took over the responsibility again. Currently her son Tim Boyle is the president and CEO, of course since it’s a family business it would pass down to the kids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4u_VPAMiRY
SBA. "America's Best: Columbia Sportswear." YouTube. YouTube, 16 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.

North Face History

The North Face company first started on a beach in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood in 1966, something that everyone would not expect. The person who created the business is Douglas Tompkins, who first created an equipment retail store that eventually lead to the modern day The North Face. Also the place was at an altitude of only 150 feet above sea level and created by tow hikers who followed their passion of founding a mountaineering retail store. But the name North Face was not given to the business until two years later. In 1968, a little shop became known as The North Face, a retailer of high-performance climbing and backpacking equipment. During this time, there were more North Face’s forming around the San Francisco Bay.

http://seavoices.com/people-a-m/doug-tompkins/
"Doug Tompkins – Co-Founder of The North Face and Espirit, Ecologist." Sea Voices. Cardin Communications, 2013. Web. 10 May 2013.

Thesis and Overview

In my blog I will be discussing the difference between two retail brands: The North Face and Columbia Sportswear. As many people may know, the two companies are huge rival to one another, they have been know to be in competition especially when it comes to winter clothing. Although, the North Face has had the upper hand with their winter jackets, because it's considered to be trendy and fashionable. Also as I show the differences between the two brands, there will be more proof shown that The North Face affects more people economically than Columbia Sportswear. My thesis is that The North Face affects more people around the world than Columbia Sportswear.

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