Poll time! Where would you rather
shop? Victoria’s Secret or J. Crew? TJ Maxx or Abercrombie & Fitch? The
vote has been unanimous - Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret ranked
in the top spots for consumer loyalty index. Ugh.
Brand Keys, the New York-based
consultancy focused on brand loyalty, surveyed 49,000 consumers about 83
categories of goods and services for its annual Customer Loyalty Engagement
Index, so it seems the results are probably legitimate as far as the public’s
perception of criteria including shopping experience, store reputation,
merchandise assortments and value go.
Somehow, despite selling
moose-embossed overpriced cotton and triple low-rise whiskered jeans, A&F
is number one this year, up one spot from its number two position last
year. Seriously, people? The Victoria’s Secret division of Limited
Brands Inc. moved up to second place from third a year ago. LL Bean came in at
third and J. Crew moved down to fourth spot on the list. Rounding out the
list are H & M, American Eagle and PacSun. Aéropostale Inc. and Gap’s Old
Navy and Gap divisions finished off the list.
Department stores had their own
lists; Dillards came in first followed by Macys, the TJ Maxx brand, Kohl’s,
Marshall’s, JC Penney’s, and Sear’s.
According to Brand Keys, customer
expectations of brands have risen since the recession, though the increased
“democratization” of information by mobile devices like smartphones and tablets
might be a bigger factor in the higher standards consumers have.
Robert Passikoff, president of the
firm, told WWD, “People look for something that they can connect to
emotionally. That’s why all the luxury brands have been so profitable. It’s not
just the 1 percent. People would rather save and buy a luxury brand because
those brands stand for something.”
Are you surprised by the brands that made the list? Which
brands are you sartorially loyal to? If it's Abercrombie & Fitch, get
out.
[Study Reveals Strength in A&F, Victoria’s Secret Brands ]
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