William Sonoma Case Study
Case Study: Willimas-Sonoma
Williams-Sonoma’s competitors use various strategies as a form of competition. This along makes it difficult for the giant retailer to stay on top of everything. Williams-Sonoma has key competitors like Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Pier 1 Imports and Bombay Company. Along with these big names, Williams-Sonoma must also compete with regional stores, online stores, local stores, specialty stores, department stores, and direct-ship manufacturers. Competition for the big name retailer is everywhere.
Crate & Barrel is a company that focuses on designing store displays that represents the function of the product being sold. The pride themselves in the fact that their displays were difficult to copy. The items they sold came from small, out-of-the way manufacturers the made beautiful and affordable products. Crate & Barrel’s strategy consisted of purchasing from a small group of factories in Europe initially. They would display their findings on the rugged crates and barrels they were shipped in. There displays have evolved over time and they have also expanded their sourcing strategy to include products from various countries. The store has also expanded nationally from a single store to nearly 150 U.S. locations and a store in Toronto. The store continues to stick with what they know in regards to a common style: contemporary, innovative, and functional designs featured in the season’s latest colors.
Restoration Hardware sold products that were specifically designated to appeal to the wealthiest 10% of the nation. They sold high-dollar, vintage-style furniture and home furnishing to match the same style. Their main growth came from making their items available through direct-to-customer sales. Restoration Hardware fell behind in 2001 because they had a difficult time managing their growth. They have since then relaunched themselves in 2010 with a reinvented, remodeled, reborn concept through new direct mail piece and a
Williams-Sonoma’s competitors use various strategies as a form of competition. This along makes it difficult for the giant retailer to stay on top of everything. Williams-Sonoma has key competitors like Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, Pier 1 Imports and Bombay Company. Along with these big names, Williams-Sonoma must also compete with regional stores, online stores, local stores, specialty stores, department stores, and direct-ship manufacturers. Competition for the big name retailer is everywhere.
Crate & Barrel is a company that focuses on designing store displays that represents the function of the product being sold. The pride themselves in the fact that their displays were difficult to copy. The items they sold came from small, out-of-the way manufacturers the made beautiful and affordable products. Crate & Barrel’s strategy consisted of purchasing from a small group of factories in Europe initially. They would display their findings on the rugged crates and barrels they were shipped in. There displays have evolved over time and they have also expanded their sourcing strategy to include products from various countries. The store has also expanded nationally from a single store to nearly 150 U.S. locations and a store in Toronto. The store continues to stick with what they know in regards to a common style: contemporary, innovative, and functional designs featured in the season’s latest colors.
Restoration Hardware sold products that were specifically designated to appeal to the wealthiest 10% of the nation. They sold high-dollar, vintage-style furniture and home furnishing to match the same style. Their main growth came from making their items available through direct-to-customer sales. Restoration Hardware fell behind in 2001 because they had a difficult time managing their growth. They have since then relaunched themselves in 2010 with a reinvented, remodeled, reborn concept through new direct mail piece and a