i need your help...
I have a telephone interview tomorrow with River Island for a graduate positions...
Basically, i think that their main competitors for womenswear would be Topshop, Miss selfridge, Oasis, Warehouse, New Look, Primark (maybe), Zara.
Menswear : Topman and Burtons, and possibly George at Asda. Any others you can think of?
I also need to understand their target customer. I would have thought it would be women between 18-35 (coule be younger , maybe 16?) and they would be quite fashion aware and trend led.
I dont really know what they will ask me, but just wanted everyones thoughts on their customer base and competitiors...and where you think they lay in the high street market?
Can any of you wise owls help me? :) i really wana do well !
Thankyou
Answer:
I would have thought you had the competitors for women/menswear pretty spot on. Target age for girls though, I would say is probably a bit younger - maybe 16 - 30?? I agree with you that their customers would be trend led. In the high street market, I'd probably rate them above New Look/HM/Primark, but below Oasis/Warehouse.
I never really shop in there though, so maybe I'm not helping much!
Good luck tomorrow anyway!
Answer:
I agree with the target market. Although River Island stock the same kind of clothes as New Look and Primark etc, they are aimed at the consumer who wants to spend a little bit more, as prices between these stores vary greatly.
They might ask you about what makes River Island different to other shops, its Unique Selling Point (USP) if you like. RI clothes are usually quite detailed and can come with lots of accessories (sequins, sparkly threads, bows, diamontes etc), and I think a lot of them may also be handmade (?), which means that often each garment is different. The high prices also indicate good quality clothes that will last for a while and will not need to be replaced quickly. This is what makes RI attractive for a lot of customers. I think that the whole image RI gives off is one of a quite high class store, where glamour and style are very important.
This differs in shops such as Primark and New Look who can be said to specialise in the concept of "throw-away fashion". These shops change their stocks regularly, and supply consumers with cheap versions of catwalk clothes. As stock regularly changes and is quite cheap, customers come back often to purchase new fashions.
I think that the USP of RI is made up of its detailed clothes and high quality.
They will probably also ask you about working with people, so be ready to give some examples of where you have done that in the past!
Hope this helps :)
Sebs
x
Answer:
oh thankyou so much guys, thats a brilliant help!
Totally see what you mean about New Look and primark...and i think it will be important to seperate the reasons as to why they are different.
I'll give you an update of how it goes tomorrow!
Thanks again xxxx
Answer:
They've also upped their PR campaigns and have regular advertorials in magazines such as ELLE and Marie Claire which would have been unheard of a few years ago before they tweaked their demographic and made it slightly more of an upmarket high street store.
Good luck :)
Heels- help!
NO.2. ask :
Heels- help!
Ok, I freely admit to being something of a shoe (and bag) aholic, but I usually wear flats as they're more practical for uni and things.
I really really want to be able to wear heels for everyday though but my feet just seem to hate them! Ive got 4 or 5 pairs of heels and heeled boots but I tend only to wear them on nights out and I either cant walk in them/ cant keep my feet in them or my feet hurt soooo much by the end of the evening.
Is there any marvellous way of learning how to walk in heels? I know wearing flast and ballet pumps most of the time cant be helping- but heels hurt soo much!
Hazy xx
Answer:
You should start with heels of a decent thickness. Even I find skinny heels a challenge to walk in! How about something like this from Schuh or maybe a pair of wedges?
Answer:
What she said:p
The thicker the heel the more comfy it's gonna be, wedges are up there as being the most comfortable, then a chunkier cone heel. Kitten heels being a bit of a pet hate of mine as they are wobbly to walk in and not that flattering on the ankle.
Stilettos are the most painful so I tend to steer away from and only wear on nights when I'm not gonna be dancing/walking much!
Answer:
M + S have got some news shoes out called Insolia - they have quite a thick, padded inner to protect and cushion your feet. They have more designs instore than on the web, but I am thinking of getting some as I live in flats too :)
Answer:
Why not get some of those 'Scholl Party Feet' gel cushion inserts, they're supposed to be good for people who have trouble wearing heels. :)
Lisa xxx
Sliver Sandals
NO.3. ask :
Sliver Sandals
hello!
does anyone know where I can get really simple silver sandals please? I want a pair for my wedding- medium height (Jimmy Choo style I suppose) with a cross over at the toes and a strap around the ankle. Willing to pay a bit more if necessary for my big day! checked the Jimmy Choo website but there's nothing that suits. and Gina stuff is too fancy for me...
thanks
YBx
Answer:
You could always try Ebay if you get totally stuck. Most shoes are sold unworn, authentic and boxed. Plus, they come that teeny bit cheeper :)
Black boot total desperation. Expert advice needed please
NO.4. ask :
Black boot total desperation. Expert advice needed please
Ok having a total mental meltdown here.
At the beginning of the season I needed a pair of black boots to wear over my black (and blue) skinny jeans and with a couple of skirts that I have - russian stylee and mini (ie to be worn with v dark black opaques)
On my search I have managed to buy the brown pirate boots (I think the black ones are a tad cheap looking :o ), tall chestnut Ugg boots and teal knee high, round toed, stack (also in teal) heel boots (which are in the most divine leather from Kurt Geiger)
But I am still black boot less :(
And everything i try on just doesn't seem to look right.
PLEASE can someone give me some inspiration.
BTW they need to have no higher than a 2 inch heel, and need to be at least knee high.
I would be so grateful just for some ideas!!
Thank you !!
katkinn
xxx
Answer:
Do they have to have some kind of heel? because my sister bought these faith flat ones that are very versatile and comfy:
http://www.faith.co.uk/catalogue/sty...style=88 9800
Answer:
boots
plain, popinty heavy sheen stretch fabric.....? try Hobbs or Carvela..... or Gabor for good quality boots.
Other than that, try marks and spencer..... yes really!!!
Answer:
I got some knee high black leather kitten heel ones from Ravel recently and I love them! Might be worth seeing what they've got.
Answer:
These are nice too if you're looking for round toed kitten heeled ones.
How long would you give someone to pay for an e-bay item?
NO.5. ask :
How long would you give someone to pay for an e-bay item?
Hi, Ive just sold a top on e-bay yesterday.
But they havent paid yet, how long are you/do you give them to pay?
Thanks :)
Answer:
I'd give them a week at the very most.
Answer:
I think it's seven days officially.
What payment methods do you accept? Could they be sending a cheque or postal order? :)
Answer:
I ask for payments withing 48 hours on my auctions but if you haven't specified anything like that i think you have to give them up to 7 days.
Answer:
I state 7 days on my listings - however I do unofficially give 2 weeks with 3 follow up reminders the last one usually states a pay by date and that I will claim fees back. they usually pay then! ;)