Dealing with the Low Cost Rivals

Apparels with inexpensive price tags are seen increasing in numbers in the store racks, nerve-racking the market existence of the classy brands. How do the latter deal with the situation?

One of the toughest situations faced by the executives of premium brands is how to respond when low cost competitors appear in the market. Decision should be taken whether the business should be continued as usual, or the company should modify its strategies and come up with counter approaches to tackle the situation.

When Premium Brands misjudge their cut-rate rivals:

Generally inexpensive brands build a momentum in the market in slow and subtle ways. They attempt to build their market in undeveloped segments. Or they just make a replica of the well established apparel brands.Customers who prefer to own premium brands, but are reluctant to pay hefty prices, would go for this option. Many a times, brands that are well established in the market are more preoccupied with their traditional competitors, that they do not even realize the entry, and existence of low cost rivals. What tactics the big brands may assume futile regarding the cheap brands might turn out to be a big success, and may even turn out to pose a threat to the market existence of big brands. Thus, the premium brands face a frustrating catch 22 situation where they need to suppress the cheap brands to survive the market, and they need to survive the market to suppress their cut-rate rivals.

Big Brand Strategies:

Big brands need to develop reasonable and effective strategies to upgrade their brand. Establishing a genuine market appeal for their brand of clothing is especially important to survive in this increasingly sophisticated and competitive apparel market.

Branding:

As the competition for apparels gets heated up, mere window display alone is not sufficient for a brand to build its image in the customers mind. Tactics such as captivating commercials and celebrity endorsements form a part of brand promotion. This creates awareness about the brand, thereby enhancing it. Here the prime consideration is the choice of the brand ambassador, which otherwise, might not create the desired interest.Public image of the ambassador, the target consumers, and their market appeal are a few things to be considered while choosing a brand ambassador.

Haute Couture brands such as Armani, one of the biggest brands has Beyonc, at its celebrity face, Chanel has Keira Knightley and Diorin association with Monica Belluci, seeking perfection for their brands. Preppy looking British action Nicholas Hoult is the brand ambassador for showcasin Tom Fords designer collections for 2010. After H&M employed Karl Lagerfeldto display its clothing line, the designs turned out to be a hit among the consumers; worldwide. The brand experienced a 12% increase in their sales within the first month. Following this success, H&M engaged the catwalk queen Stella McCartney to exhibit a new range of designer clothes at highstreet prices.