Thursday, December 17, 2009

Why Do We Buy Gloves and Socks at Christmas?

In the U.K. the weather plays an important role in our behavioural mannerisms, dictating what we wear, how long we stay outside in the elements and even affects our personalities. When the clocks go backward an hour on October 31st, it is a preliminary indication that the season is changing and that it is officially winter. With the change of season status, along with the days getting darker and more dreary, comes the need for a new wardrobe accessorised with scarves, gloves and a number of warm woolly hats.

As soon as the weather turns, and we wake up on a cold and frosty morning, we naturally dress for comfort and warmth with style taking a backseat. The shops on the high street acknowledge the three aspects of buyer behaviour when laying out their store in hope that the buying behaviour can be manipulated in some way. The three aspects are behaviour, environment and cognitive processes. These function separately or as one, and with appropriate marketing, a shop can affect how a buyer behaves.

Weather is a mixture of behaviour and environmental factors, as the weather affects a buyer's behaviour as a buyer wants to keep warm and dry, yet, with the coldness and the days being darker, shops can seem appealing by being bright and having a warm draft at the entrance.

There are stores that very much rely on season change to make their money, as it is reported that airlines advertise flights when there is a 5 degree drop in temperature. Specialised accessory companies are very much winter sale orientated, as there are specialist gloves and socks companies that rely on seasonal trends and the Christmas season to make their sales. We are all aware of the infamous pair of socks at Christmas time that are slight more lavish than our every day socks. Well, there must be a reason why it seems that every person in the U.K. gets a pair of socks at Christmas time? The impulse to buy distant family members a pair of socks is a behavioural and environmental influenced decision. The environmental factors are that stores will have more fancy woollen or cotton socks strategically positioned around the store. Reason for this, the behavioural factors have altered due to the... weather! It all interlinks in winter.

Gloving companies have similar marketing strategies with Christmas time being their key business time as many consumers look for luxury gifts yet don't know what to buy, so opt to go for accessory clothing, which can essentially be interpreted as a behavioural purchase.

So before you buy a pair of leather gloves or a pair a colourful striped woollen socks as a stocking filler, take a moment and think, why am I actually buying these accessories...?

JG Ireland is a marketing professional for a Midlands Marketing Agency and has focused experience with buyer behaviour campaigns for a number of stores. Currently looking into the seasonal trends of a gloves company and how specific marketing activity can affect sales.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Step Out in the Most Stylish Tory Burch Shoes

Imelda Marcos was rumored to have 3,000 pairs, but by her own words, she only counted 1,060! Imagine having that many choices in front of you each morning! While most women can only dream of having that many pairs of designer footwear, there are a few pairs that need to be in every closet. For this reason, you can't overlook Tory Burch Shoes. There is simply no substitute for the designs, styling, and quality of this line of footwear.

Sophistication Mixed with Fun

Tory Burch opened her flagship store in 2004 in New York City. It didn't take this lady long to become one of the hottest new fashion designers in a city that can be less than forgiving when it comes to someone new. Tory Burch shoes are just a part of the entire collections and women are flocking to get their next pair of what could be their favorite.

One of the reasons why she is so successful is combination of style, sophistication, and fun that seems to accompany each design. Through the use of vivid colors, sometimes untraditional styling, and a collection of unique designs, she has created quite a stir in the footwear industry. If you're looking for a quality, stylish pair, this is definitely a collection you don't want to miss. However, be prepared to spend a pretty penny on these pretty shoes!

Where to Find Tory Burch Shoes

While you can visit her store in New York City, there really are easier ways to find this footwear. There's a terrific website for not only her footwear line, but for her clothing and accessory lines as well. For those that want to pay something less than full retail, you can usually find several websites that offer Tory's casuals, boots, and sandals at a reduced cost. However, you'll want to make sure you are really getting a pair of Tory Burch shoes. Knock-offs and fakes are a billion dollar business each year. Don't get suckered into paying a fortune for a pair that can be found at your local outlet mall. Buy only from a reputable source.

A Few Final Thoughts

You're sure to love your first pair of this designer's shoes. From the classic styling mixed with the latest trends, she's brought something special to her line of footwear. Make sure you take a few moments and see what you could be stepping out in!

Finally, one place to get all the information available on Tory Burch Shoes! See the latest styles and designs, as well as find some great discount pricing information. Check out Tory Burch Shoes!