Dull Christmas 2008 ahead

[vijayr3]

Hi, we all read a lot these days about economic recession & its ripple effect such as low consumer spending both cash & credit cards. What product range would make this Christmas sale or Boxing day sale a contended business? I feel budget gifts and souvenirs would occupy the most shelf spaces for this season. Can supply chain strategy or "out of box thinking" may help costly goods LCD TVs, latest handsets, etc. to occupy more shelf space?? Can I ask moderator's help to run a poll if necessary??

[TopLink]

It's very easy to add a poll to a new thread. It appears as an option below the area for making your post.

If you are not sure how to do it, just give me the list of questions and I can set it up for you.

[Starbucks Junkie]

Originally Posted by vijayr3

Hi, we all read a lot these days about economic recession & its ripple effect such as low consumer spending both cash & credit cards. What product range would make this Christmas sale or Boxing day sale a contended business? I feel budget gifts and souvenirs would occupy the most shelf spaces for this season. Can supply chain strategy or "out of box thinking" may help costly goods LCD TVs, latest handsets, etc. to occupy more shelf space?? Can I ask moderator's help to run a poll if necessary??

Viijay,

For my part, we are seeing a flight to value of the consumers, my company is experiencing a prolonged period of retail growth as a result of the Economic downturn as the consumer try to get more value for their money, however analysis done recently by myself, indicates that our branded products are selling above our non branded, this would indicate that the consumer although wanting more value are not relinquishing on their requirement for quality.

The retailers to profit from this current climate, will be the likes of my company and others who can source aggressively to obtain the best price and sell at a low value.

The market is already seeing a downturn in the more affluent retail outlets, such as Waitrose, John Lewis etc as the consumer flight to value continues.

[vijayr3]

Hi SJ,
Thanks for your answer, Aggressive buying is a classic sourcing strategy, am seeking some out of box thinking, or some strange ideas that might be interesting in supply chain terms.

[Roy Sundaran]

Albeit not completely in the topic, how do you see the corporate gifting trend heading this Christmas. Would this quality over value bit apply to this industry also, to probably maintain a standing or maybe for motivational reasons?
Is there any aggressive strategy that might tide over things in this recessional period?

[vijayr3]

Hi Roy, am experiencing just the same here, every year we gift our staff for Xmas, in our last board meeting we decided to go for Titan watches, but the recent profit figure shows its not affordable, so settling for a Sonata! I don't find any aggressive strategy to go for premium Titan watches when profit margins are hit, and Xmas gifting has become a custom and we felt Sonata watch is much better instead of plum cakes and pink slips!

[Roy Sundaran]

Hi Vijay, what about your senior staff?
Is there any letting down in terms of gifting for them?

[vijayr3]

Yeah only a little extant, because the recession is been felt by everyone in the market, and staff at the bottom knew their own performances before being told. A premium watch will certainly be considered as a "gift", but any thing below premium may be treated only as a "compliment". However gifts are ensured to be the same for everyone, senior executives may not really be happy with the below premium gifts to themselves and to others.

[Starbucks Junkie]

Originally Posted by vijayr3

Yeah only a little extant, because the recession is been felt by everyone in the market, and staff at the bottom knew their own performances before being told. A premium watch will certainly be considered as a "gift", but any thing below premium may be treated only as a "compliment". However gifts are ensured to be the same for everyone, senior executives may not really be happy with the below premium gifts to themselves and to others.

You get gifts!!!!!!!!

[Sam_X]

How about gifting iPods this season.

I found this link really useful xxxxxxxxxxxx


They have a good collection and also offers discounts on bulk orders.

Please let me know your ideas.