netrashetty
Netra Shetty
Meijer (pronounced /ˈmaɪ.ər/) is a regional American hypermarket chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962.[1] About half of the company's 194 locations are located in Michigan, with additional locations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The chain was ranked No. 18 on Forbes's 2008 list of "America's Largest Private Companies"[2] and 19 in Fortune's 2008 "The 35 largest U.S. private companies".[3] Supermarket News ranked Meijer No. 12 in the 2007 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2006 fiscal year estimated sales of $13.2 billion.[4] Based on 2005 revenue, Meijer is the twenty-fifth largest retailer in the United States.[5]
Market Demand
The increase in the UK birth rate has driven demand and expenditure levels on the infant and children’s clothing markets. Current demand also benefits from a higher rate of per capita spending on children. Market analysts anticipate that spending on children’s products, including apparel, will rise in the medium term.
Demand in the UK children’s wear market has seen a rise in ‘luxury’ brands. This is a trickle-down effect from the growth in the luxury markets for men’s and women’s wear, as well as other categories such as home décor. Other fashion trends influenced by adult clothing are vintage chic and prints. These trends have made their way to kids’ wear as simplified versions of previous season’s women’s wear collections. Other strong performing areas of the children’s wear market are branded and character-licensed wear. While parents seek value for their children’s basic everyday clothing, they are willing to pay more for unusual and special occasion outfits. These items tend to command premium prices.
Market Data
Since 2001 there has been a year-on-year rise in spending on children’s wear, despite deflationary pressure on prices in this sector. Market analysts predict some price recovery in the UK children’s wear market through 2010. There are limits to the absolute cost reductions that can be gained on an item of clothing with price points at the lower end of the children’s wear market. Therefore, suppliers will be looking to move price points upwards over the medium term, in order to maintain margins as cheap sourcing becomes more difficult. Initially, this will mean a rise in the lower price points, but retailers and distributors will also be looking to add value.
Girls’ wear accounts for the largest share of spending in the children’s wear market, despite the fact that the female child population in the United Kingdom is smaller than the male child population. Additionally, per capita spending on girls tends to be higher, as girls are more likely to take an interest in their appearance and wear a greater variety of clothing than boys. The girls’ wear market is often divided on the basis of age group. The split tends to occur around the age of nine. Under-nines are more easily slotted into the traditional children’s wear market, with items still tending to a carry a high degree of licensed characters and images from other media. This has been the most appealing end of the market for the newer players, such as the supermarkets, as this age group is less likely to dismiss something bought during a family food-shopping trip.
Over the age of nine, the client base is more vocal and discerning, and fashion is a larger and growing influence. For example, in 2005 a number of UK suppliers adapted trends taken from the women’s wear sector for the wear market. The over-nines are also more brand-conscious and eager to perform their own shopping.
Clothing for boys has also experienced growth, generally outperforming the overall clothing market. Many of the same factors affecting the girls’ wear market are evident in the boys’ wear sector, with increased fashion and brand awareness, and trading up boosting market values. As mentioned, the rise in the UK birth rate since 2002 has had a positive influence on children’s wear sales. Infant wear is important strategically to suppliers, who hope that consumer loyalty at this stage will engage long term buying. This has encouraged the introduction of children fashions by major supermarket chains such as Tesco and ASDA, as well as value retailers such as Primark.
Children in the UK are expected to wear some type of uniform to school. This applies to both public and private schools. For this reason, school wear is one of the most competitive segments of the children’s wear market, resulting in a current price war among value retailers. All retailers have been keen to differentiate their product lines. In 2005, “George” became the first retailer to offer Advanced Teflon across a number of garments, to aid durability and stain prevention. The same year, Woolworths upped the fashion element in its range by adding combat pockets to school uniform trousers and three quarter sleeves on cardigans.
In April 2007, National Schoolwear Centres launched the UK's largest sized school uniforms. The range included a 52-inch blazer, trousers with a 42-inch waist and a shirt with a 17.5-inch collar. The company stated that it had experienced a 25% rise in demand for 50-52 inch blazers year-on-year. Its uniforms, which were previously only distributed via mail order, are now available through the retail market. According to the Health and Social Care Information Center, between 1995 and 2004, obesity among boys aged 11 to 15 rose from 14% to 24% and, among girls, it rose from 15% to 26%. However, according to National Schoolwear Centers, the issue is not solely one of obesity but the fact that children are taller and bigger generally.
For families there is a further issue, insofar as children’s wear, under certain sizes, is exempt from VAT. Consequently, larger sizes are higher priced, owing to the additional cost of VAT. As a result, the Schoolwear Association, which represents school-uniform suppliers and manufacturers, is lobbying for the abolition of VAT on all school-specific children’s wear.
Market Demand
The increase in the UK birth rate has driven demand and expenditure levels on the infant and children’s clothing markets. Current demand also benefits from a higher rate of per capita spending on children. Market analysts anticipate that spending on children’s products, including apparel, will rise in the medium term.
Demand in the UK children’s wear market has seen a rise in ‘luxury’ brands. This is a trickle-down effect from the growth in the luxury markets for men’s and women’s wear, as well as other categories such as home décor. Other fashion trends influenced by adult clothing are vintage chic and prints. These trends have made their way to kids’ wear as simplified versions of previous season’s women’s wear collections. Other strong performing areas of the children’s wear market are branded and character-licensed wear. While parents seek value for their children’s basic everyday clothing, they are willing to pay more for unusual and special occasion outfits. These items tend to command premium prices.
Market Data
Since 2001 there has been a year-on-year rise in spending on children’s wear, despite deflationary pressure on prices in this sector. Market analysts predict some price recovery in the UK children’s wear market through 2010. There are limits to the absolute cost reductions that can be gained on an item of clothing with price points at the lower end of the children’s wear market. Therefore, suppliers will be looking to move price points upwards over the medium term, in order to maintain margins as cheap sourcing becomes more difficult. Initially, this will mean a rise in the lower price points, but retailers and distributors will also be looking to add value.
Girls’ wear accounts for the largest share of spending in the children’s wear market, despite the fact that the female child population in the United Kingdom is smaller than the male child population. Additionally, per capita spending on girls tends to be higher, as girls are more likely to take an interest in their appearance and wear a greater variety of clothing than boys. The girls’ wear market is often divided on the basis of age group. The split tends to occur around the age of nine. Under-nines are more easily slotted into the traditional children’s wear market, with items still tending to a carry a high degree of licensed characters and images from other media. This has been the most appealing end of the market for the newer players, such as the supermarkets, as this age group is less likely to dismiss something bought during a family food-shopping trip.
Over the age of nine, the client base is more vocal and discerning, and fashion is a larger and growing influence. For example, in 2005 a number of UK suppliers adapted trends taken from the women’s wear sector for the wear market. The over-nines are also more brand-conscious and eager to perform their own shopping.
Clothing for boys has also experienced growth, generally outperforming the overall clothing market. Many of the same factors affecting the girls’ wear market are evident in the boys’ wear sector, with increased fashion and brand awareness, and trading up boosting market values. As mentioned, the rise in the UK birth rate since 2002 has had a positive influence on children’s wear sales. Infant wear is important strategically to suppliers, who hope that consumer loyalty at this stage will engage long term buying. This has encouraged the introduction of children fashions by major supermarket chains such as Tesco and ASDA, as well as value retailers such as Primark.
Children in the UK are expected to wear some type of uniform to school. This applies to both public and private schools. For this reason, school wear is one of the most competitive segments of the children’s wear market, resulting in a current price war among value retailers. All retailers have been keen to differentiate their product lines. In 2005, “George” became the first retailer to offer Advanced Teflon across a number of garments, to aid durability and stain prevention. The same year, Woolworths upped the fashion element in its range by adding combat pockets to school uniform trousers and three quarter sleeves on cardigans.
In April 2007, National Schoolwear Centres launched the UK's largest sized school uniforms. The range included a 52-inch blazer, trousers with a 42-inch waist and a shirt with a 17.5-inch collar. The company stated that it had experienced a 25% rise in demand for 50-52 inch blazers year-on-year. Its uniforms, which were previously only distributed via mail order, are now available through the retail market. According to the Health and Social Care Information Center, between 1995 and 2004, obesity among boys aged 11 to 15 rose from 14% to 24% and, among girls, it rose from 15% to 26%. However, according to National Schoolwear Centers, the issue is not solely one of obesity but the fact that children are taller and bigger generally.
For families there is a further issue, insofar as children’s wear, under certain sizes, is exempt from VAT. Consequently, larger sizes are higher priced, owing to the additional cost of VAT. As a result, the Schoolwear Association, which represents school-uniform suppliers and manufacturers, is lobbying for the abolition of VAT on all school-specific children’s wear.
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