Aldi dreht weiter an der Preisschraube. Wie bereits mehrfach in diesem Jahr, hat der Discountriese letzte Woche erneut seine Preise gesenkt. Betroffen waren diesmal Schokoriegel und “Champagner.” Damit trägt Aldi weiter zu dem bereits bestehenden Preisverfall in Deutschland bei. Die Wettbewerber werden sicherlich mit eigenen Aktionen nachziehen um in der Gunst der preisbewussten Discountshopper nicht zu sinken.
DM, auch ein großer Retailer, geht ganz andere Wege. Die ohnehin schon sehr beliebten und sympathisch gestalteten Verkaufsflächen werden weiter attraktiviert: DM installiert auf seinen Einkaufswägen Lupen, damit auch ältere Kunden eine Chance haben die oft sehr klein gehaltenen Produktdetails zu lesen. DM kann durchaus als Vorreiter gesehen werden. Nur wenige Einzelhändler konnten in ähnlich kurzer Zeit sich derart erfolgreich in einem umkämpften Marktsegment behaupten. Und ich kaufe einfach gerne bei DM. Interessant: Die Sympathie für das Einkauferlebnis “DM” übertrifft sogar meine Preissensitivität! Ich gehe mit derart viel Vertrauen und positiven Erfahrungen bei DM einkaufen, dass ich mich selbst dabei ertappe Preise nicht zu vergleichen und im Vertrauen auf die Marke und das Image DMs sicher keine “schlechten” Preise zahlen zu müssen! Respekt, DM!
Mit ‘Marketingberatung’ getaggte Artikel
Aldi senkt weiter Preise und DM installiert Lupen, allerdings weniger wegen der kleinen Preise
Freitag, 18. September 2009Ford not recognized as a German brand
Donnerstag, 17. September 2009The drama about German automaker and GM subsidiary Opel is not only an advantage for rivaling automakers. Although profiting from consumer uncertainties by winning former Opel drivers, the worries and the public discourse about the future of the Opel brand also did harm Opel rivals. According to a current FAZ article, a central insight for Ford was that Opel not Ford is generally being perceived as the more German of the two brands. Thus it can be said that the Opel crisis also helped Opel to strengthen consumer loyalty and to interest patriotic Germans for their affordable vehicles. To Ford this poses a completely new marketing challenge. Still suffering from the image of producing conservative, emotionless cars, sympathy for Ford may have further decreased. But it should also be mentioned that in the US as well as in Germany, Ford’s management had taken early and wise measures to prepare for the current auto crisis. Thus a scenario similar to that of Opel would not seem credible (begging for givernmental aid,…). So Ford’s marketing challenge for the future will be to produce more emotional cars, such as the Insignia or new Astra and to improve its perceived ‘German-ness’.
One consequence of the current auto crisis might be that that markets which formerly were a taboo are now considered attractive segments. Ford and even Fiat (together with Chrysler) are considering entering the US automobile market. The cause? Perhaps this will improve competition and contribute to the overall quality of US makes. Still today, these millions of cars American automakers are producing each year simply won’t sell anywhere but the US. Europe is simply much more advancaed and competitive. If this is the scale for US makes, then and only then, there is a chance that they will survive in the long run.
Who said big corporations are slow to adapt to trends
Donnerstag, 10. September 2009Please take the time to compare these two videos.
The first here, “Bathtub IV” is by Keith Loutit and a perfect example of time-lapse and tilt-shift which results in a perfect stop-motion effect.
Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.
Then look at this current Telekom commercial which nicely makes use of this technique. Surprisingly modern for a telecommunications giant such as Deutsche Telekom:
It is not by accident that these two are so similar. Both have been created by Keith Loutit, a master of his craft!
Opel to change its claim – once again…
Dienstag, 08. September 2009Amidst all the confusion about the future of Opel, the marketing experts of Interbrand have been asked to develop a new claim for the shaken automaker Opel. According to today’s article on www.ftd.de, the new claim was inspired by the shirts Opel workers used to wear while protesting for a soon and satisfying concept for Opel. “We live cars” may see its official debut at the IAA in Frankfurt which will open its gates on September, 17. The new claim is expected to be accompanied by a remake of the Opel Blitz brand mark.
I argue that claims should show the same consistency as the brand as a whole. Too many quick and not well thought of changes weaken a brand’s perception in the eyes of the consumer. In the ideal long-run marketing strategy all is in line: The logo, the claim and the values a product represents. BMW for example has only slightly changed its logo over the years, and for centuries, driving pleasure has remained the central element of any BMW communication. The same consistency can be found in their cars: Whether a 635 CSI, a 2002, or the latest X1, sportiness and pleasure are still central facets of the BMW brand.
To me personally, Opel represents German automobile history. Not in the negative sense. There is still a lot of sympathy for this brand. And in recent times, this has been paired with fair value and decent quality. With the Opel Insignia and the new Astra, asthetic design also returned, and paved the way for a new generation of Opels. Given, there will we one.
As it looks now, GM has discovered that within its corporation Opel is a diamond in the rough that might also lay the foundation for a GM future. But I am convinced many people at Opel are tired of the ignorant and self-aggrandizing GM managers…
The dream: Let Opel take over GM and clean up this American mess of a carmaker.
Link to the cited ftd article:
http://www.ftd.de/unternehmen/industrie/:markenauftritt-opel-mit-neuem-spruch-und-neuem-blitz/50006452.html
