Case Study

Abercrombie's Ruehl NO. 925

Abercrombie & Fitch Company was founded in 1892 in New York City by David T Abercrombie and Ezra H. Fitch. Abercrombie, a former prospector, miner, trapper, and railroad surveyor, originally produced camping equipment in lower Manhattan; Fitch, one of his customers, was a successful lawyer in Kingston, New York, who loved the outdoors. The two men put their interests and opened a sporting goods store. By 1910, the company began selling women clothing, and became the first store in New York to supply clothing to women as well as men.

Abercrombie & Fitch Company is a clothing retailer marketed toward the young people, from children to young adults. Abercrombie considers its clothing a "lifestyle brand," others have railed against its often sexually explicit tees and over-the-top marketing campaigns. The company oversees more than 800 stores nationwide, of which about 175 are its children's brand, abercrombie, and 260 are Hollister Company stores. Its latest in a concept, Ruehl, debuted in Ohio in 2004 appealing to more mature buyers.

Abercrombie & Fitch is following a differentiated marketing strategy that appeals to the four target markets: Abercrombie Kids is geared for (7 to 14 year olds), Hollister targets (14 to 18 year olds), Abercrombie & Fitch aims for (18 to 22 year olds), Ruehl NO. 925 (22 to 35 year olds). Differentiated marketing aims at two or more distinct consumer groups, with different retailing approaches for each group.

The pros and cons of Ruehl's choice: The pros Ruehl have are they can capture the attention of customers from Abercrombie & Fitch for their sophisticated fashionable stores. Ruehl stores have a very appealing interior and exterior which is more inviting than other department stores. Ruehl stores also have bright lights, loud music, and large graphics that are characteristic of Abercrombie & Fitch stores. Here are a few of Ruehl's cons: Ruehl's don't have many stores. At Ruehl...