Skechers Vs. Casio G-Shock Pink Watches

Pink is such a feminine, girly color. In the world of sports, it has been expected that men rule this universe. But things has changed a lot and women are becoming more engaged in sports. In the world dominated by men, women has to fit it without losing the the sense of femininity. That is why, sports wear makers accommodates this new demand by providing sporty yet girly sports gears.

As I have observed, color is the most visual difference between men and women's sports wear. In addition to the style, the cut, the curves and all, color is given emphasis. Pink and purple are the top colors for women. Addidas has pink dri-fit shirts, Nike and others. Pink is woman.   I am fascinated lately by sports watches though I am not an athlete of some sort. What caught my eye are Casio watches. I think that Casio watches are so fashionable when it comes to function and style combined. Checking the Casio G-shock pink watch seems costly since the only use it would give me is the time and the alarm. The rest of the function I paid for would just actually goes down the drain. I looked for a substitute that would  objectively "LOOK" the same being sporty yet fashionable without hurting much my wallet. Just adjacent to the Casio rack was the Sketchers rack for watches. To my luck, I found a reasonable substitute.

 

Pictures are from their respective websites.

                                                            
             Price :                       Around 1,700 Php                      Around 4,500 Php
             Functions:                 Basic Functions                          More advanced
             Color:                       Fuchsia Pink                               Fuchsia Pink
             Material:                    More on plastic                          More on rubber
                           (For more details of the features, please check websites. )



                                                            My Business Review:

                                           Marketing Strategy: Be a Reasonable Substitute

One of the marketing strategy is to be an alternative, a substitute. Being a substitute is not that bad at all. In this particular case, since G-Shock is as of the moment, financially can't be purchased so costumers tends to look for something cheaper if the target product is unattainable. Substitute products should be cheaper that what it tries to imitate or compete. And the features may not be the same, but at least the purpose is being served. This is one reason why even expensive brands creates different "levels" of products. Even Casio has sort of low-end watches to people to can't afford the G-shock series but likes Casio can still wear the brand. This is fairly a good strategy as well.

But the competition starts when other brands become the substitute just like the Skechers in this case as long as the purpose is served. Some products have become successful by maintaining to be the second choice. For instance I can say Cebu Pacific placing strategically second behind Philippine Airlines. For these pink watches, Sketchers pink watch won over me instead of the Casio G-shock.

Can you think of a reasonable substitute product or services?

Do you notice any brands which is strategically place itself as a substitute?

Share you views on mybusinessviews.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading!

Miss D

Kim Chiu's and Xian Lim's Rejoice Commercial

Kim Chiu is one of the most bankable celebrity the Philippine Showbiz industry has today. If I am  not mistaken, she is one of the top ten sought after endorser in Yes Magazine. That's is a great achievement considering her humble beginning being a nobody, a simple girl who lives in the city of Cebu. She has done numerous blockbuster movies and top rating tele-novelas. No wonder, companies are running after her to promote their products.

My Business View:

Just recently, Xian Lim and Kim Chiu's tandem is a major hit. And so it is not surprising, Xian joined Kim in the latest Rejoice commercial. Kim has been endorsing Rejoice Shampoo for quite a long time now. Xian is expected to support and strengthen Kim's buying influence. Sure we can all agree on one thing, Rejoice Marketing Department is quite smart in including Xian.

Xian and Kim are strong endorsers. However, has the shampoo commercial gone to far? The last part of the commercial showed in a fraction of a second a real lip-ti-lip kissing. I personally thought it's quite a bit so much of a shampoo commercial. I personally have not seen a real kissing scene even in toothpaste commercial. Generally, toothpaste commercial cuts it when the boy and the girl's lips are about to touch. I wonder what MTRCB has to say about this matter. Or whoever is in-charged of the advertisement regulations.

A male friend of mine saw the commercial and after watching he exclaimed "Oh, they really kissed!". When I first saw that commercial, that is the same thing that ran in my mind except that I did not literally exclaimed it.
 I believe Kim and Xian's presence are influential enough to draw attention from the customers. Indeed the kissing also draw more attention but I do hope it connects to the product they are endorsing which is Shampoo. On the other hand, some guidelines needs to be regulated because this is an advertisement which means it can be aired anytime of the day --- we just do know when the minors are watching. Unlike tele-novela where a kissing scene, once played, can't be replayed on the same day or in the future. This commercial can be seen and repeated as many times as they want.


What do you think of this commercial?
Do you think the kissing scene is a good marketing strategy?
Do you think strict guidelines should be implemented strictly?

Share your business views on www.mybusinessviews.blogspot.com

Thanks!
Miss D

Good Brand, Poor Packaging : Avon Sweet Honesty Forever

In the market today, there are reliable brands that have existed for decades.  I presume that these brands are considered “of good quality” because they won’t last very long if they have insufficient customer satisfaction. Right?  But nevertheless, these brands creative departments need to update their aesthetic senses for a more attractive packaging rather than staying with the status-quo product. This post is dedicated to brands that are actually “GOOD BRANDS, POOR PACKAGING”.

Just like Avon, an American personal care company in 140 countries around the world.  My review is not a generalization of all the Avon products around the world nor all the Avon products in the Philippines. However, Avon Philippines has certain products that need to be revamped. I just recently bought a skin softener.  The variant specifically is Sweet Honest Forever Skin Softener. For the quality of the product, I say it is fairly well relative to its price of 149 Php on sale. However, I would want to comment that Avon products being “Avon” is expected to look as good as it does or the other way around.

Avon Sweet Honest Forever Skin Softener

Avon Sweet Honesty Forever Skin Softener

Avon Sweet Honesty Forever Skin Softener

My Business View:

Good Brand, Poor Packaging is definitely suits Sweet Honest Forever Skin Softener. The packing is not all attractive with is purple and grey combination. It sees like the design of this product is not thought of. Anyone who can manipulate a computer can actually do the sticker label on the top of the cap. The fonts are easy, the design can be Googled and there is nothing more to it. Simplicity is beauty? Yes it is but sometimes it’s boring. I believe that this packaging would sell more back in the 80s but its 2012 where the battle of art and technology is combined. This looks too laid back this era. Or perhaps their target markets are mommies and aunts, age bracket of 40s to 50s so the outdated look sells?

I wish Avon would step up the game in the artistic field. The accessibility of several design soft wares among the ordinary people would look their product too less of an art.  It appears tacky and gaudy.

However, I still would still continue to use the product because it does its job – which is to soften my skin.  But wouldn’t it be nice if it entertains my eye too. Applying lotion is so much well, fun!

What do you think of Avon Philippines product packaging?

Do you buy products because of the way it looks?

Share your business views on mybusinessviews.blogspot.com

Miss D

Inside-the-Label Marketing Strategy: Nestle 100 Grand Chocolate

I am not certain how many companies have used this method. I call in “inside-the-label-marketing” because there is marketing in the form of advertising going on inside where you do not expect it. A text is written or certain promos of just words of encouragement from the company. 

My Business View:

First I notice this with Dove soap. Dove has like inspirational text written inside their label. Just when you are about to throw wrappers like this, it catches your attention because you wonder what is on it. Normally, we do not mind the wrapper but when you get a glimpse that some text are there, an initial reaction from a typical human being is to read it!

In my opinion, this is a great way to catch someone’s attention. At least it caught mine. When I ate the chocolate at first, I read the entire text written inside out of curiosity. (The cat is still alive!) It gives me a feeling personally that the company has thought of down to the tiniest detail. It made me feel the company cares of the consumers more than just earning money, although it actually a way to add up to their income. I wish all companies should be keen on simple details because there are some people who notice this kind of “art”.

This marketing strategy can be used as to advertise promos, to promote events, or simply, like Dove, to give a good feeling to the consumers.

Do you think this kind of marketing strategy is effective? Does it appeal to you?

Share your views on mybusinessview.blogspot.com

Till next time,

Miss D

The Filipino Pyschology of Sachet Buying

 As a Filipina, its often a wonder to me the existence of several small retails stores or locally known as “sari-sari”. In other countries, these stores are nowhere to be found. What they have are convenient stores which retail items in singles. The function of sari-sari stores in the Philippines and convenient stores abroad may appear equally the same but there is a big difference and the two are incomparable.

Undeniably, Filipino is fond of buying products in singles for instant consumption. Generally, Filipinos do not buy in bulk in or bigger packs. The tendency of a normal Filipino buyer is to purchase one in single packs so I believe the “Sachet Marketing” is born. A Filipino prefers to buy a sachet of coffee for the present need that to buy a bigger jar of coffee for the entire week. The next day, A Filipino would grab again another sachet. This goes the same with shampoo, toothpaste and other commodities. As a matter of fact, even cooking oil now comes in company packed sachet. Or the sari-sari store owner re-packs in an amount relative to the price. For instance, cooking oil can be bought in 5 Php, in 10 Php or in 20 Php. This is sari-sari store effective marketing strategy.

The Filipinos love for sachet items can be accounted the value of money a typical Filipino earns. Although buying in bulk can actually save, financially speaking, most Filipinos would rather use the remaining money for something else than buying a whole pack of something.

Unlike, in other countries abroad small sachets are freebies given to costumer from hotels, restaurants or shops. In the Philippines, these sachets are for serious retailing. Perhaps this is sign of being a Third World Country or a Developing Country. Companies make smaller packs so the people living below the poverty line can still afford to shampoo, drink coffee at least on a daily basis.

Nivea Moisturizer Classic Packaging

                                                          

Nivea Moisturizer is nothing new to us. It has been here since as far as I can remember. I used this when was still in elementary when my knees started to dry. My dad recommended it to me. It’s that popular that even men like my dad knew about it. I also know a male friend who uses this to moisturize his face during winter season. I could hardly believe it until I him apply it to his face. Just recently, I started using it again.

 I think this product has been very consistent. It still has the same thickness as it was when I used it when I was young. It still moisturizes that way it does leaving skin smooth and shiny.  Bravo to the chemist who created this. Its effective is appears to be eternal.

Talking about being in the in the market for a long time, I have noticed that Nivea Moisturizer look has NOT changed at all. It still has the same classic blue can and white writing with the same font. This is CLASSIC PACKAGING approach in my opinion. I do believe that some things like packaging such as this should not be changed most especially if the appearance has already rooted and associated in the consumer’s mind.

Do you think that Nivea Moisturizer is better with its classic packaging or it would sell better if it looks more hype and trendier?

3 Packs in 1 Sachet Shampoo

Clear  2 in 1  Shampoo  offers 20 % more on the third sachet

 Sunsilk offers 35 % more on the third sachet with Limited Edition label

Head and Shoulders offers 50 % Free Conditioner on the third sachet

As I have notice for a while now, the Philippine sachet shampoo packaging is divided into 3 small packs attached in a longer horizontal sachet.  Because of this, buyers like me may feel that we are getting more than our money’s worth. I say that it is really up to each one of us. But we should be wise enough to distinguish and check the labels closely. For the Head and Shoulders it weighs 15 ml, Clear weighs net vol. of 12 ml, and Sunsilk weighs net vol. of 13.5 ml. The weight of each 3-packed shampoo clearly differs. Their price also differs but all of it are lesser than 10 Php.

As consumers, we have the right to choose what product suits best to us. All we need to do is to be wiser in buying. For the products quality, my comments can be shallow because I have tried using all the three shampoos like for a week only. Sunsilk suits me best while Head and Shoulders and Clear made my hair drier.

Do you think having 3-packs in one sachet is an effective tool in luring consumers? Do you think we are getting our money’s worth with this packaging?

Share your business views only at (mybusinessviews.blogspot.com)

Thanks for reading my blog.

Miss D

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