Response to Kendra's post, Samsung - Apple Fight Moves to Marketing

Samsung - Apple fighting the marketing tactics of the iPhone 5 isn't a smart move because of how popular the iPhone 5 is.  Apple is one of the most recognized technology companies in the world and most successful.  I think brand recognition comes into play when consumers are looking to buy a product and marketing for Samsung and its new and improved phone isn't easy when a lot of people already have the iPhone with little to no issues which Kendra pointed out.  The downfall of not having specific patents like the shape of the phone for example can hurt your company because people take a lot of things into consideration when purchasing a phone or just any product in general.  I do think Samsung's ads will benefit their sales but it won't be as successful as they want it to be just because how popular the iPhone 5 is.  Apple does a great job marketing their products.  I don't believe any other phone will surpass the iPhone in the near future because the iPhone is very popular and keeps coming out with updated ones which everyone wants to get their hands on.  I could see how consumers could get blinded to better/new technology because of being caught up in having an iPhone.

What is it gonna take for Apple and the iPhone to not be the most popular company/product for technology?

Profits and Markups in the Fashion Industry

Buying clothes is fun, but there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.  What about the effects it has on retailers before and after discounts.  Do retailers make profits when you have a discount to that certain product?  I found it interesting in this article the basic costing formula for ready to wear apparel which is total of all raw materials x 2 equals wholesale price and wholesale price x 2 equals suggested retail price.  You always need to provide the suggested retail price because this gives all of your retailers the same opportunity to sell the goods at the same price. It puts all of your customers on a fair playing field so that no one undercuts another.  Sometimes retailers make a profit yet it's not a healthy profit margin.  It's really interesting how finance comes into fashion and clothing.  I always thought buying clothes was just like it sounds, yet there is a lot of things happening behind the scenes which makes it possible for us to even buy their products.

What's the best way retailers can achieve a healthy profit margin?