HW Assignment 4

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TERM PROJECT

(This project has both a written and presentation element)

Assume you are an apparel buyer(s) for a retail store. Your store operates 12 moderate-priced women’s wear

shops (or men’s wear shops) in a U.S. city of your choice. The stores carry a line of moderate price women’s

(men’s) sportswear and accessories. You will define and analyze your target customer specifying demographics

and lifestyle.

Several years ago, the store began carrying private label merchandise to supplement its mix of established

national brands. It accomplished this one department at a time. The store records show that the markup on the

private label goods is significantly higher than that on its branded goods and the exclusivity is priceless.

Your buying responsibilities may include any category of apparel. The owners of the chain have informed you

that they would like for you to begin to develop private label merchandise in your chosen department. They

have given you the authority and responsibility to begin development for the Spring 2022 retail-selling season.

You are to create a line of at least 3 styles and 6 skus (1 style produced in two different colors would be 2

skus) for your store.

For the written assignment, your job is to detail the following tasks in the creation of your private label

product:

Introduction: Define your store (name, location & product mix) and target customer, specifying

demographics and lifestyle.

1. Classification: Select the classification and at least 3 product style(s) you will be developing. Identify the styles by showing actual samples, pictures from magazines/catalogs, sketches or actual photographs,

which are to be included in the report.

2. Trends: Research and identify major trends in your product area with your target customer’s preferences in mind. Use trade publications such as WWD and Fashion Snoops as references, and be

sure to document your sources.

3. Adaptations: Determine the changes you will make to adapt your selected styles to your specific market and customer. Consider color, style, silhouette, fabric and trim detail. Your adaptations must be

validated by thorough trend research.

4. Competition: Shop the market to analyze the retail price points of comparable product offerings. Document your findings. (Remember, your own private label product should retail for less than your

branded competition.)

5. Costing: a. Fully cost at least one of your styles and set a retail price using the sample cost sheet/labor rates

noted.

b. Establish retail prices for your complete line. Discuss how your retail prices makes sense with respect to the competition and to your target market.

6. Product Specifications: Prepare a spec sheet for at least one of your garments using the sample spec sheet. Include a garment sketch and key measurements for a full size run.

7. Fabrication and Performance Specifications: Determine and evaluate the fabric you select for your products using performance specifications. Consider fabric type, weight, content, dye process, finish.

8. Quality Control: Describe the quality control practices you will implement to guarantee delivery of a quality product from your contractor.

9. Hangtag: Create a hangtag for at least one of your styles using Photoshop (preferably), PowerPoint, or Drawing Tools in Word. The tag should include art depicting the garment and verbiage to attract

customers.

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10. Merchandising: Explain the methods you will use to notify your target customer of your new line and discuss how you plan to merchandise your private label product in your stores. In this segment you will

discuss original price, planned promotional prices, markup percent for each price offered, promotional

events and displays that will be used to present your product, placement in your stores (rack type, table,

wall – where in the store will the product be placed.)

Summary/Conclusion: Briefly explain why you chose the product(s) you chose to “knock off.” (Is it an

emerging trend?) Do you feel you have satisfied your target customer with a fashion forward product

line of acceptable quality and at appropriate price points? Have you dazzled your customer and your

storeowners who challenged you with this assignment?

Please remember that a key part of the assignment is to produce a line of at least 3 styles and 6 skus. If

you did not showcase your full line within the body of the paper, please include it as an appendix.

Additional notes on the written assignment:

• Write a 12-page (minimum) report outlining the entire process and explaining your actions throughout. Any images you include can be included in the body of the work or at the end, as an Appendix.

• All work must be completed in the APA style. Written work must be double-spaced in Times New Roman, 12-pt font.

• Information of all kinds, whether directly quoted or used as reference, including books, magazines, images and websites, must be properly cited in the APA format throughout your work. All assignments

must include a Reference page at the end.

• Direct quotes in excess of 10% of your paper will be cause for downgrading.

• Please separate the different sections of the paper with headings.

• Evaluation of the research project will be on quality of content, quality of language, grammar, overall effectiveness and conclusions. Your submission must include in-depth trend research that validates your

product development.

For the presentation assignment, your job is to present your Spring 2022 private label product line of at least

3 styles and 6 skus to the owners of your store. Be sure to include:

1. The trends – what upcoming trend(s) are you showcasing for your customer? 2. Design details and design sketches (as well as original designs, where appropriate) 3. Color story 4. Fabric swatches/trims 5. Hangtag(s) 6. Cost & Retail Pricing

Additional notes on the presentation assignment:

• All work must be completed in the APA style.

• Information of all kinds, whether directly quoted or used as reference, including books, magazines, images and websites, must be properly cited in the APA format throughout your work. All assignments

must include a Reference page at the end.