Internationalization Theory of Fashion

1. The internationalization theory of Zara

Zara is fashion retail chain of Inditex group and owns multiple brands such as, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Oysho etc. thereby, Zara have strong visibility in international market as well. However, Zara has resisted the industry wide trend for outsourcing the fast fashion production in low cost countries. Zara is adopts internationalization theory based on Uppsala model which explains how the cited firm can step by step increase their activities and visibility in foreign markets. With regards to this model Zara and Inditex group gain the experience form domestic market before they move in international market. According to this model Zara can start operating the business in the countries which is culturally and geographically close and move step by step to geographically and culturally distant country. Thus, during the period of 1980, Zara was focused and expanded business within the domestic markets and opening stores in Spanish cities as well. With reference to Uppsala model Zara starts its international business operations by using traditional exports and most demanding operation mode such as, sales subsidiaries in target country and organizational level. However, in the next steps of internationalization, Zara expanded business in international markets with very minimum distance from Spain and further, the cited firm was adding one or two countries more to its market portfolio every year. Thereby, Uppsala theory can best represent the Zara's internationalization.

Furthermore, the uppsala model states that first sales objective of Zara should be physical product service, knowledge and business operating system. This model of internationalization also assumes that first expansion in the sales objective and market strategy concerns with the expansion in the new foreign markets. Moreover, in 1990 Zara started operating business in France which is geographically connected country and a fashion capital as well as the opening point for business expansion in Europe. Later on Zara was opened in Maxico in 1992, which is geographically long-distance but similar in culture to the home country Spain. The experience increased international environment is beneficial for Zara to make it determined and attentive on a fast international expansion, irrespective of culture and geographical closeness.

In the early stages of globalization, the management of Zara followed a partiality orientation in which foreign stores were also a replica of the Spanish stores. However, due to this approach Zara also encountered unpredictable difficulties in few countries because of cultural variations. Thereby, the uppsala model of internationalization specifies that level of commitment can decrease and discontinue the business in international market if performance and prospects are not met sufficiently. With regards to this, Zara decided to move towards the geocentric orientation by allowing the stores in international market to adopt the local solutions instead of replicating the home market stores. Thus, with regards to the case study of Zara it is analyzed that Uppsala model of international is the best representative theory of Zara's internationalization.

2. The competitive strategy of three world market leaders

The major global competitors of Zara in terms of market share are H&M and Gap Inc. Both the competitors of Zara are market leaders due to their strong competitive strategy in global retailing. Gap Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco. Gap also owns five primary brands such as, the namesake Gap banner, Banana republic, Old navy, Piperlime and Athleta etc. which is similar to Zara in some ways. Zara is comparatively detected as more fashionable brand than its competitors. The prices of Zara is less than Gap but higher than H&M. This company is global fashion retail organization established in 1947 in Sweden. At that time H&M sells women clothing but later on H&M also included its inventory in selling man's clothing and expanded business in menswear as well. The majority customers of H&M is from Turkey and Bangladesh.

The competitive strategy of H&M can be identified from its mission statement. The mission of H&M depicts that fashion and quality at the best prices. Moreover, on the basis of analysing the given case it is assessed that the competitive strategy of Zara is to use its own store as the tool to promote its brand in the respective market. In this context, it has been assessed that the Zara will not spend any money on advertisement of its product. However, instead of promoting its brand it uses its store with an aim to attract the large number of customers. By adopting the given method two way benefits is being gained by the firms. Here, on the one hand significant increment is being carried out by the firm in the market share. In addition to this, firm is also saving its cost by not investing upon the advertisement and promotion type of activities. The money which Zara is saving is being invested by it in some other useful activity.

The tactic is effective but by using this firm can attract only those customers who are being situated at the places where Zara store has opened. In comparison to this, its competitors such as H&M and Gap are spending sufficient amount of money upon advertisement. The given competitive strategy as being used by the firm is effective as it is enabling them with regard to spread the information about the product which is being produced by the firm among the large number of buyers in an effective manner. Due to this, the firm are getting the benefits in the form of increased profits and sales.

In addition to this, multi-brand store is being consider as one of the most effective tactic which is being practised by Zara. Here, it is assessed that firm has eight brand stores. In comparison to this, Gap has five brand store, however H&M works upon only single format store. For the firm it is very essential that it must open different type of brand store. This is because, the given type of activity will enable the firm with regard to reduce the risk of failure in an effective way. Furthermore, the money which is being obtained by the firm through its strong brand can be used by it for the purpose to increase the effectiveness of another brand which is not working well in the respective market. The given tactic will also provide opportunity to the firm with regard to target the different type of buyers in an effective manner.

With regard to the global retailing in fashion world, the firm such as Zara will be proved as more effective in comparison to others. This is because, in future there is an intense competition will be being seen in the given industry. However, the impact of given competition will be met by those firms which are targeting all types of buyers irrespective of their age and income. Furthermore, there is continuous changes is being seen in the tastes and preference of buyers when it comes to fashion. Thus, in future that type of firm will establish its remarkable position in market which carry out the production of goods and services as per the tastes and preferences of the buyers. These all given things is being effectively followed by Zara. Thus, in future it can win the competition prevailing in the global fashion retailing industry.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Zara multi-brand store strategy

Multi-brand store strategy is the type of tactic in which two or more than two homogeneous products of the firm is being marketed under the different brand name. The given tactic is adopted by Zara. In this context, there are different brands of Zara identified such as Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Oysho and Stradivarious etc. These all given brands target the varied type of customers. However, the multi-brand store tactic which is being used by the cited firm possess several advantages and disadvantages whose detailed explanation is depicted in below..

Advantages for multi-brand store strategy for Zara

Increment in the market share of firm

It is being regarded as one of the most significant benefit which is being gained by the firm by using the multi-brand store tactic. This is because, the given tactic will provide opportunity to Zara with regard to target the different type of customers. For example, Pull & Bear brand of Zara is targeting the young customers. In the similar way, through Stradivarious cited firm is targeting the young women. Thus, with the help of given tactic different type of buyers is being attracted by the firm. Due to this, firm has carried out necessary improvement in its market share.

Can carter the customers who frequently switch on to the other brand

In this context, it has been seen that some buyers always prefer to switch on to the other brand on constant basis. This is because, the given type of buyers always love to experiment the new things. The need of given of buyers is also being fulfilled by Zara through the given tactic. Thus, it is by complying with the given type of activity only cited firm is retaining most of its customers in an effective manner and gaining the benefits in the form of increased profits and sales.

Obtaining the greater shelf space

It is another most essential advantage of the given tactic which is being used by Zara. The given tactic will provide opportunity to the firm with regard to establish the monopoly of firm in market. In addition to this, with the help of given approach an effective presence will be marked by the cited firm in the competitive business environment.

Disadvantages for multi-brand store strategy for Zara

Besides this, there are some limitations or risks also associated with the given tactic which is being practised by Zara.

Customer will perceive the profit making image of the company

It is being regarded as one of the most common risk which is associated with the given tactic. In this context, it has been seen that buyers have the general perception that the firm which operates multiple brand under its own name gives more importance to profits rather than maintaining the satisfaction of customers. Thus, the use of given tactic by Zara will tend to create or develop the negative image in the mind of buyers. Due to this, the market share of the company will be impacted in a negative way.

Risk of cannibalization

This risk occur when manager introduces new product in the market where its existing products are operating. Here, due to the introduction of new product significant decrease will be face by the manager in the sale of its existing products. This is because, the given thing raises the chance with regard to switch on to the other brand of corporation. As a result of it sales of existing brand of firm will get reduced.

Difficulty in managing all the brand

The task of brand management will become more tedious activity for the Zara with the use of given tactic. The given thing will also divert the concentration of firm. As a result if it, for the firm it became difficult with respect to achieve success from the different type of brands.

4. How successful is Zara in meeting the risk of cannibalization?

The risk of cannibalization and firm use of multi-brand strategy is directly related with each other. This is because, the risk of cannibalization occur when firm tend to introduce multi-brand in the market. This leads to create the confusion between the customers. Due to this, limitation will be incur by the firm in the form of increased market share as well as sales. However, the firm such as Zara is using different type of tactic with an aim to mitigate the risk of cannibalization. In this context, on the basis of analysis it is assessed that Zara has been meeting the given risk by differentiating the brands through target market and products. In this context, it is assessed that the given eight brand of Zara is targeting different type of customers as well as offering the varied type of products to the customers. For instance, oysho Zara brand is fully dedicated in producing women underwear and lingerie. However, Massimo Dutti brand of cited firm is producing formal and elegant cloth for both men and women. Thus, it is by complying with the given type of activity only firm is forming differentiation between different types of brand. Thus, targeting and persuading the varied type of buyers towards the product in an effective way.

In addition to this, the firm is taking help from the research and development department with an aim to reduce the risk of cannibalization. For Zara this department is playing very crucial role. This is because, here with the help of given department only cited firm will be able to direct its efforts with regard to carry out the production of product as per the needs and demands of the customers. Thus, through this way only firm is maintaining the satisfaction of its customers and getting the benefits in the terms of increased profits and sales in an effectual way. Furthermore, Zara is using the latest technology with an aim to carry out the production of its product. Here, with the help of the latest technology firm will be able to carry out its efforts with regard to deliver the product in front the buyers within the given specified time period. Overall, it can be said that the tactic which is being used by Zara with an aim to mitigate the risk of cannibalization is effective.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of joint venture with Tata in India

When two or more company undertake business activity jointly with equal contribution known as joint venture. Joint venture largely accepted in corporate finance. Joint venture enable a firm to serve new market and new customers. Joint venture is based on single business project which is operating by both the companies. Zara and Tata joint venture and start its store in 2010 in India. There are some advantages and disadvantage also from joint venture. Following are the advantages of joint venture of Zara with Tata...

• Joint venture help both the companies in sharing its infrastructure and work force and reduce level of risk for firm to enter into new market.
• Tata is India's one of the largest company which connect with larger part of population. So, this will company in penetration of market.
• Joint venture allow company to enter into new geographic market and serve new customers.
• Population of the country – India is the 2nd largest populated country in the world. It has population more than 1.25 billion. Higher population can resulted to increase in sales of the company. Tata serve larger population part of country so that people are ultimately customer of Zara as well.
• This joint venture help organisation in utilisation of Indian resources such as employees and technology.
• It provides opportunity to business to expand itself in Indian market.
• Tata group business in communication industries and information system so this will helpful for firm to create its brand image in Indian market.
• India is the country with large economic system and its GDP growing by 6% per annum. It benefits to company in growing itself with the growth of country.
• Joint venture give chance to company for market of new product in current market.
• These help company in reduce its cost associated with transportation.

Disadvantage of Zara joint venture with Tata in India

The given joint venture will also tend to brought several disadvantages to the cited firm and detailed explanation about the same is depicted in below:

Rigid values of Indian buyers

In this context, it has been seen that many of the Indian buyers prefers to wear the cloths which is being manufactured by their Indian firms only. The given value of buyer might create hurdles in front of Zara sales and profits.

Diversity in the culture

Both Zara and Tata belongs to the diverse culture. In addition to this, their patten of working and managing the operation of firm is very different. The given thing might create conflicting situation between both the given enterprises.

Conclusion

Articulating all the facts from the given study it can be stated that, the multi-brand tactic which is being used by the cited firm is effective as it is helping firm with respect to achieve success in the competitive business environment. In addition to this, with the use of varied tactic cited firm is taking the significant measures towards the risks of cannibalization which is being incur by it by adopting the multi-brand tactic. Furthermore, for the Zara it is beneficial that it must adopt the joint venture tactic.

References

• Aaker, D. A. and Biel, A., 2013. Brand equity & advertising: advertising's role in building strong brands. Psychology Press.
• Altuntas, C. and Turker, D., 2015. Local or global: Analyzing the internationalization of social responsibility of corporate foundations. International Marketing Review.
• Brito, P. Q. and Pratas, J., 2015. Tourism brochures: Linking message strategies, tactics and brand destination attributes. Tourism Management.
• Brush, C. G., Edelman, L. F. and Manolova, T., 2015. The impact of resources on small firm internationalization. Journal of Small Business Strategy.

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