Week 9: Sales Promotion and Personal Selling

            Converse has used many promo ads like print out ads but have been more active with using Online Sales Promotions(with the rapid growth of the internet i say this is a smart business move).Converse uses online promo codes to attract more shoppers.The prices online compared to in store prices are amazing.An online shopper can save an average of 15%-75% of the suggested retail price(varies from site to site).Some sites include free shipping and cash back on your Converse purchase with them.Converse shoes sells on many retail sites aside from their own site(Converse.com) such as Target.com, Zappos.com ,Nordstorm.com and FamousFootwear.com. This month promotional code from the official site is "tweets4u".

Week 8: Advertising and Public Relations

            Converse used their Advertisements to attract their targeted audience.They use young people to convey their messages, in images over the internet and billboards to win over the youth.They use a lot of  humor styled commercials.Using super stars like Dwayne Wade ,Larry Bird,Magic Johnson,Tina Turner , Pharrell and his group N.E.R.D to connect  with there young audience.Converse brand has constantly been tied to the cultures and lifestyles of basketball, Rock n Roll and Skateboarding.So it is understandable why they use the stars listed above.I had posted a few commercials i thought was good to my blog so feel free to watch.

Converse All Star Best Commercial!

Converse - Dwyane Wade "From Robbins, Illinois" commercial

Converse "Pageant" Commercial

Converse Commercial

Converse commercial with Larry bird and Magic johnson

Tina Turner Converse All Star Commercial

My Drive Thru - Santogold, Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D produced by Pharrell

Week 7: Retail

       I know I know my company is Converse but i hadn't had a chance to visit there store in the village.But this weekend i went shopping in three retailing giants(of course after reading the chapter). I went to DSW, Old Navy and Target. DSW is a specialty store selling a large selection of shoes but it can also be considered a discount store as well being a designer shoe warehouse offering shoes for less then suggested retail price..Old Navy falls more towards specialty store though the have different target markets like infants ,kids,women and men. Over all there main focus is selling clothes.I believe Target is a department store.They carry a wide variety of shopping goods from clothes,furniture,food and electronics etc.They actually sell Converse one star in there shoes department.This store is a perfect example of scrambled merchandising by having all these items in one store. All the stores I've visited are chain stores having several locations. Knowing the correct terms the businesses/shopping behavior and understanding the environments in where i shop makes me feel confident.I think its changing my purchasing style for the better.

Week 6: Consumer Descision Making

          Converse to date is my favorite shoe, the classic Chuck Taylor's are so comfortable for everyday wear.I looked up reasons why people shop Converses and majority of the answers were no different than mines.The main reasons people like Converse according to my findings is because of the price they're inexpensive (cost being one of the five shopping behaviors).The cost makes them more likely to buy.The sneaker performance was top on the list, the sneakers life span leaves customers pleased with the purchase.No one has money to waist on a product that doesn't deliver that would only ignite cognitive dissonance after a purchase and no one likes that feeling.The shoe matches with every outfit and has wide range in color/style and designs making it a great investment. Converse is connected to certain cultures like basketball and rock n' roll.The classic shoe is worn by everyone toddlers kids and adults. The brand rich history and reliability makes it a low involvement product.With customers good reviews and familiarity with the product it becomes a no brainer when purchasing sneakers.

Week 5: Developing a Global Vision

           After doing some research I learned Converse don't have stores internationally nor ship internationally. All this time i had it in my mind they were a multinational firm.Converse definitly has a global vision.Converse has web pages for internatonal customers keeping them known abroad. you may locate an International store, distributor, licensee, or agent through the sites listed below .   Converse have out sourced to Asia. Out sourcing has increase their efficiency,freed up their resources and reduce their capital expenditures.

• Greater Balkans: www.converse.rs
• France: www.converse.fr
• Germany: www.converse.de
• Hungary: www.converse.hu
• Benelux: www.converse.be
• Spain: www.converse.es
• Czech Republic: www.conversecz.com
• Mexico: www.converse.com.mx
• Argentina: www.converseargentina.com.ar
• South Korea: www.conversekorea.com
• Singapore: www.converse.com.sg
• Australia: www.converse.net.au
• South Africa: www.converse-sa.co.za