Case Study : Coach Inc.

This analysis examines the economic strategy of Vera Bradley. I took a closer look at the strategic moves of this Luxury goods manufacture. The owners going from making colorful patterned duffel bags and suitcases, has now become a household brand. Their decisions to differentiate ultimately shaped the growth of their business. With a declining fiscal year, Vera Bradley decided to implement a new strategy that will be sure to revamp growth. To further explore the challenges that continue to occur throughout this case, I analyze those challenges and suggest tools and techniques that would help improve the economic strategy of Vera Bradley.

In such context, the present research report is presented to analyse “How will Coach benefit from the acquisition Kate Spade”, after Coach,

While Coach, Inc. has managed to capture a large amount of the market by pursuing a broad differentiation strategy and promoting the company as an accessible luxury brand, they still have some areas to improve upon.

Coach Incorporated is a company established in 1941in Manhattan. Coach is in the fashion industry and this accessories manufacturer is one of the best known brands in North America. Coach was bought out by the Sara Lee Corporation in 1985 and started being publicly traded in 2000 on the New York Stock Exchange. Coach Incorporated prides it selves off of being one of the most dependable, unique, desirable, and fashionable brands in their industry. Coach has a disadvantage with its competition, being the only one publicly traded. It does not have access to the others financial records. Coach Incorporated likes to

Luxury fashion items can be acquired via several different avenues, as well as at several different price points in today’s market. Previously, the only options consumers had for the acquisition of luxury fashion goods was to purchase directly from the retail store; however, now there are an enormous amount of resources for consumers to opt for a used product at a much lower price by shopping on websites like eBay, or by purchasing from the growing amount of high-end consignment stores. Another option that luxury fashion consumers can easily utilize is to buy the item new and at a cheaper price by shopping at outlet stores or discount department stores like Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx. Finally, these consumers have the option to borrow. Websites like BagBorrowOrSteal.com have created hugely profitable businesses by making the latest luxury accessory available to be rented at a cost that is a fraction of what the item would cost if purchased new from the retailer. These options have granted a much larger array of people the opportunity to experience aspects of the luxury lifestyle and the luxury image than ever before.

Coach is an American New York based company competing in the clothing sector of the consumer goods industry. Its products include leather goods for both men and women. Through exceptional customer service the company maintains and builds a loyal and dependable clientele. Unique designs and branding has distinguished the company from its peers. Peers include but not limited to L Brands Incorporated, PVH Corp., Ralph Lauren Corp., Tiffany & Co., VF Corp., Estee Lauder Incorporated, Kate Spade & Co., Abercrombie & Fitch and Michael Kors Holdings Limited. From fragrances, sunglasses, outerwear, travel bags, men’s belts, wallets and gloves the company has strategically remained relevant in the market place. Coach has been profoundly involved in increasing its global presence in the Asian markets.

Growth has been fueled by Coach’s niche as being ‘accessible luxury’. While Coach does not have the prices of most of its high-end competition, it is regarded throughout the industry, and most importantly by consumers, as being equal in quality to much more expensive brands.

Your post is very insightful and provides a great overview of the various components of a coach’s contract. As I begin to research the different facets of a coach’s contract, I came full-circle and wondered what is the difference between a coach and a tenured professor, other than the primary element of sport. A coach is an employee of an institution as is a tenured professor. Adopting the contract terms of a tenured professor could help de-escalate coach contracts and regulate the manner in which coaches seek employment as well as the manner in which they are sought.

The path-goal theory describes the way leaders support their followers in achieving their goals by removing obstacles, clarifying expectations, and making the work more satisfying and rewarding. Leaders who adapt their style to the situation or the motivational needs of the follower can produce more successful outcomes (Northouse, 2010). The key considerations of this theoretical perspective will be analyzed in the leadership styles of two coaches, Coach Bobby Knight, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K.).

Coach operates in a highly competitive industry with low market-entry barriers. While it is relatively easy for new companies to enter into this market, most shy away due to the lack of staying power and proper capital, as well as the know-how in total quality management. The long-standing brand equities associated with the existing players in this industry are a strong deterrent alone for any potential new entrants. In addition, there are large amounts of costs involved with the process of creating and maintaining a new company, which would also steer most potential new entrants away. If all other things being equal, Coach, along with its competitors, has greatly benefitted from these factors shielding them against the threat of entry

It is hard to imagine that after the financial crisis swept across Europe, many great transitional enterprises had to face collapse and bankrupt while the luxury goods industry become more prosperous. Recently, the French luxury goods group LVMH announced their recent business condition. The volume of the first week in October had incredibly increased by 12% the previous week. The Hermes Corporation also said that in order to meet the increasing number of market demand, it would open 15 branch stores in the latter half of the year. These aroused some fierce debates, the public held a skeptical opinion towards the questions: How can the luxury companies maintain their positions? Why didn’t they strike down by financial crisis?

This expansion demonstrates how the luxury industry is now run by massive corporations whose focus is only on growth, visibility, brand awareness, advertising, and most importantly, PROFITS! With growth and expansion, has come a decrease in quality and rarity. The luxury garments produced are mostly not handmade but are even outsourced to large factories in places such as China and Turkey. Also, to meet quarterly turnover projections, “designers churn(ed) out increasingly trendy collections of clothes, handbags, and shoes.” (Thomas, Pg. 246) With hundreds of new stores around the globe the surplus of designer labeled merchandise is immense hence, the proliferation of outlet malls.

Fast changes in environmental market place such as social development (globalization and development of social networks), economic unsteadiness (crises), technological progress, fast growing competitive world and strict marketing regulatory directly affect work of most of marketing companies or marketing and brand image divisions of the companies. I order to implement a successful campaign or increase sale and consumer awareness companies have to stay in pace with recent marketing environment and take into consideration every possible detail that might help or ruin image of a company or product.

5. What is Coach’s strategy to compete in the ladies handbag and leather accessories industry? Has the company’s competitive strategy yielded a sustainable competitive advantage? If so, has that advantage translated into superior financial and market performance?

Being a an international brand, there is a level of dependence on Italian markets with 90% of the stores situated in Italy and the equalisation crosswise over America, Paris and distribution over different countries of Asia, Europe, Canada and others. In spite of the fact that the model promotes luxury end products, it has been distinguished there is a related low level of client management which couples this recommending there is a need to take a shot at administration to guarantee a complete shopping background and guarantee rehash business inside of the current client base (Liesch, et al.,