Chapter 14: Marketing Channels & Retailing

The Special Retailer Role

When Apple opened their first retail location back in 2001, the goal was to have a direct channel to consumers without the help of other major retailers. Big box retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart allow the consumers to have a first hand look at the products while simultaneously having a variety of options improving the customers experience. Apple had to rethink their approach with the iPhone and set a new standard for contact efficiency. Implementing many options that will allow iPhone consumers to accomplish all their upgrade needs no matter which carrier they are with. Previous to this, iPhone users were limited to upgrading with their specific carrier at their own retail locations. Now with new options such as the iPhone Upgrade Program and Reuse & Recycle, the possibilities are endless and the decision of where to buy your next iPhone is obvious. 

Chapter 6: Consumer Decision Making

Being that chapter 6 is one of the most important in marketing. I've learned that its very important to understand the culture that your company is working with in order to understand and embrace their wants and needs. For example, Apple is always looking for ways to improve their product based upon what the customer needs. Recently, Apple has released the new iPhone SE, making it smaller then the iPhone 6s but just as powerful. The reason was because a lot of Apples loyal buyers were unhappy with the new 6 inch iPhone 6s & missed the iPhone 5s size of 4 inches. Listening to their concerns Apple decided to make the iPhone SE, a combination of a pocket sized friendly phone & a modern, powerful processor. Now, not only is it a great size but they have also made it economically friendly.

Now who wouldn't love that !

Chapter 5: Global Development

Chapter 5: global manufacturing

Apples main source of manufacturers are mostly located in China. The number of suppliers & manufacturers out weigh the amount that there are directly here in the United States. 5 out of 8 manufacturers are located outside of the United States & only 3 are located within the U.S. That already on it own is self explanatory. Many company's like Apple choose outsources in order to find the best deal they can find, so that their product is made at a very low price with low interests. Usually even material is inexpensive, because your buying from high quantity & from the homeland. Now, Donal trump who's running for president has said, "We're going to get Apple to build their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries". Now what good is in that? By Apple having its manufacturers in China they are also supplying job opportunities for those in need. If the supplier is moved to the U.S then we'll be taking opportunities away from a country that is overpopulated & in need of employment. But if Apple decides not to follow Trumps foot steps into the U.S, Apple will be looking to pay 35 percent on tax charges. 

Chapter 18: Social Media & Marketing

Many companies have different ways of incorporating their businesses with social media. Some use Instagram, twitter, ads, commercials, Facebook, etc. Apple like's to be mysterious & exclusive so that the audience can be anxious to get a hold of the new product. Every year Apple releases 2 phones through out the year always improving them, making them much more advanced & faster then before. With these releases along comes the commercials & sneak preview trailers enhancing the excitement for the new phone that grasps the buyers attention, waiting anxiously for anew release. They keep the customers at edge because everyone wants one but not everyone can get a phone on the day of the release. Since only a number of them are made specifically for pre-ordered phones & for the people waiting online for weeks, others well... their anticipation just rises. Their sales simply goes up because of the high velocity & requests that are already being asked of them. How do you feel when your anticipating for something to get to your door ?

If Homer can do it, you can !

Sometimes in order for us to think outside the box we have to step out of our comfort zone & push ourselves past limits we've never been before.

Chapter 4: The Marketing Environment

In the technological industry there are many other competitors to Apple that are trying to surpass Apple's success & ideas. Like Samsung, they recreated their phones to make them similar to iPhones. For example, the Galaxy GS6 is sleek, slim, tons of memory & great camera quality. Yes it has a big screen just like the 6s Plus but what makes Apple different is the experience. This is where most business fails to meet, most of the time its just money that is of importance and growth of the company but what about supporting the buyers, the customers, the people. Apple not only has the phones and multiple other tech on display but they also offer workshops & assistance in using your knew phone. If you'd like a quick interaction that's just transactional you got it !, if questions need to be answered & guidance needed, that's also offered. The ingenuity in Apple's products have not only been genius but they knew how to win the people minds & hearts.

Chapter 2: Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage

Apple's success in the company has a lot to do with how management took place. They were able to come up with a creative & strategic plan that lead to their success in technology. Now being one of the multi dollar billion companies leading technology and its future. They do have a tremendous amount of material in their store but they were very smart with choosing which product they will raise the prices & which ones will stay economically friendly to buyers. For example, an unlocked iPhone ranges from $700-$1,000, but the cost doesn't matter when Apple finds ways to improve these devices to go hand in hand with its off the roof prices. iPad's range from $200-$500, these prices ar still welcoming to other buyers that are able to only afford this range. These are perfect examples of Market Development.

Now with this invigorating & inviting commercial that Apple released introducing the new iPhone 6s just makes people want to be a part of this new and modern technology. Once you see a group of people having it and then suddenly it begins to surround you. People give in & want to be a part of this new technology. It's a constant never ending cycle that reels you in.