abhishreshthaa
Abhijeet S
Converse is an American shoe company that has been making shoes since the early 20th century.
In his late 30s, Marquis Mill Converse, who was previously a respected manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company (completely unrelated to the Boston Rubber Shoe Company founded by fourth cousin Elisha Converse) in Malden, Massachusetts in 1908. The company was a rubber shoe manufacturer, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women, and children. By 1910, Converse was producing 4,000 shoes daily, but it was not until 1915 that the company began manufacturing athletic shoes for tennis. The company's main turning point came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Then in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job. He worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States, and in 1923 his signature was added to the All Star patch. He tirelessly continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969. Converse also customized shoes for the New York Renaissance (the "Rens"), basketball's first all black pro basketball team.
Strengths
Market leader in Bucharest; expansion into further cities under way.
There are few competing modern groceries chains.
Good reputation for quality and store design appealing to the wealthy.
Dual format strategy to appeal to different customer types.
Better price competitiveness through private label.
Weaknesses
Currently limited growth potential as local incomes are low.
Small network = limited buying power.
Increasing presence of the Western European retailers.
Slow progress in expansion of its networks.
Opportunities
EU membership from 2007 will see economy pick up.
Company can benefit from rising middle class.
Increased centralization of buying will bring improved quality control.
Threats
Romania now on radar of many Western grocers, competition due to increase.
In his late 30s, Marquis Mill Converse, who was previously a respected manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company (completely unrelated to the Boston Rubber Shoe Company founded by fourth cousin Elisha Converse) in Malden, Massachusetts in 1908. The company was a rubber shoe manufacturer, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women, and children. By 1910, Converse was producing 4,000 shoes daily, but it was not until 1915 that the company began manufacturing athletic shoes for tennis. The company's main turning point came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Then in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job. He worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States, and in 1923 his signature was added to the All Star patch. He tirelessly continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969. Converse also customized shoes for the New York Renaissance (the "Rens"), basketball's first all black pro basketball team.
Strengths
Market leader in Bucharest; expansion into further cities under way.
There are few competing modern groceries chains.
Good reputation for quality and store design appealing to the wealthy.
Dual format strategy to appeal to different customer types.
Better price competitiveness through private label.
Weaknesses
Currently limited growth potential as local incomes are low.
Small network = limited buying power.
Increasing presence of the Western European retailers.
Slow progress in expansion of its networks.
Opportunities
EU membership from 2007 will see economy pick up.
Company can benefit from rising middle class.
Increased centralization of buying will bring improved quality control.
Threats
Romania now on radar of many Western grocers, competition due to increase.