...Case Analysis American Apparel: Unwrapping Ethics Whether American Apparel should change their advertising or stay with the highly sexualized nature they have been using for advertising Situation Analysis How American Apparel is going to take the brand from where they are at and move forward with it, either by changing their ways or staying the same. Internal Environment The resources American Apparel has available to them internally come from hiring young people for design and advertising to help them better reach their targeted market, and come up with the advertisements and style of clothing. The overall organizational goals are to offer a sustainable, high quality clothing product that appeals to young urbanite individuals who are likely to be loyal to their brand, and advertise it just by wearing it and making it popular. External environment Five Forces Influence the industry as a whole and determine the conduct of the firms within the industry and also determines profitability Competitive intensity-High Part of the reason American Apparel wants to change in order to build a lasting brand and to make a turnaround is due to the competitive intensity within the clothing industry. Competitive intensity reduces profitability because the more strongly firms are competing, the more likely they are to cut their prices. This intensity increases when there are numerous balanced competitors, slow growth, high fixed costs, lack of perceived difference between products...
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...any sub-issues that are relevant to the case. * Who are the key people and/or groups that you need to consider in solving the problem/opportunity?The decision maker is Dov CharneyMain Problem: American apparel is struggling to find synchronization between their corporate social responsibilities including pro labour practices, domestic manufacturing suppliers, sweat shop free policies, environmentally friendly materials and their increasingly controversial advertising strategies. The issue is important because the company is facing a lot of criticism and controversies and are also at the urge of losing investors. The problem should be solved as soon as possible to keep the company running with a profit.Sub issues: * Bad marketing strategy, took sexual appeal really far * $250 million sexual harassment lawsuit * Challenges repaying debts * On the brink of a collapseKey people: Dov charney, management, stakeholders( customers, investors) | Atiya khan-American apparel B. Key Facts of the Case (relevant facts only, no analysis) - 10 Marks | * Provide the relevant background that led to the problem/opportunity(s). * Provide any additional case information that provides context to the problem or opportunity. * 1998 American apparel was launched in LA, CA * Unisex manufacturer * Best known for knitwear * 7 story pink warehouse * Targeted 20+ young adult * Did not push people to idolize photo shopped models * Used...
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...| Canadian Apparel Federation | Exploratory Research Assignment | Owner June 2, 2012 | Introduction The Canadian Apparel Federation is facing numerous challenges as the apparel industry is very competitive and consumer tastes and preferences are constantly changing. Our study will present some of the major trends developing in the apparel industry and what companies can do to capitalize on the market and distinguish themselves from the competitors. Research Objectives The purpose of study is to identify what a company must do to separate themselves from their competition and how to best retain and attract customers. We will examine what actions are required by companies to become successful in the market. We will compare what qualities and traits successful companies possessed which provided them with a competitive advantage in the marketplace and kept their customers satisfied. We will compare three companies; Lululemon, American Apparel, and Roots Canada and report on what separates them from their competition and mistakes they have made in the past. Research Method Our research consisted primarily of exploratory research which will focus on the industry’s background to help us determine key industry trends, customer preferences and keys for success. We will collect background information from articles, industry data, companies internal data, competitors data and consumers opinions which will be gathered from online social media. Secondary data will...
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...AMERICAN APPAREL REPORT ANALYSIS 13/12/2011 [->0] SUBMITTED BY: JOEL CHERIAN – SMBA 11081 American Apparel COMPANY PROFILE :- American Apparel is one of the quickest growing companies in popularity among college aged shoppers. They are a very fresh, and very liberal corporation with a young and talkative CEO- David Charney . It is seemingly the “perfect” company- set on high wages and benefits for workers, using the least environmentally damaging chemicals and processes, and offering great products at a reasonable price. American Apparel is the most passionate and innovative wholesale blank T-shirt manufacturer and distributor in the world. It is committed to leveraging art, design, and technology to produce garments of the highest quality, while pioneering industry standards of social responsibility in the workplace. The major goal is to seek profits through innovation not exploitation. American Aparel are advancing a hyper capitalist-socialist business fusion. By relentlessly pursuing efficiencies in management and production, we aim to demonstrate that the use of exploitative labor tactics is not only unnecessary...
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...Erin Jones MGMT 451W: Final Paper http://business-ethics.com/2011/03/15/0852-american-apparel-and-the-ethics-of-a-sexually-charged-workplace/ For years, Dov Charney, chairman and CEO of American Apparel, a rather well known clothing manufacturer, has had many cases of sexual harassment brought against him. Since as early as 2006, numerous female American Apparel employees have come forward, claiming that they had in some way been sexually violated by Charney. There was one instance in which Charney and the directors of the company were sued by a former American Apparel employee for 250 million dollars, where she claimed that she had been forced to perform sexual acts for Charney while still a minor and working for the company. Also, in March of the current year, two suits were even brought against Charney in the same month; one in which a 19 year old, former American Apparel sales associate alleged that she was sexually assaulted while interviewing with Charney for a new modeling position. In a corporate scandal such as this, many of the class concepts that were covered throughout the semester can be applied. From the domain of individual ethical decision making, we were introduced to several psychological roadblocks that individuals sometimes use to excuse or condone their unethical behaviors. Dov Charney exhibits a prime example of a certain psychological roadblock when he explains his view as to why he thinks consensual sexual relationships within the workplace...
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...[pic] Company Analysis COMPANY BACKGROUND In today’s market economy, American Apparel places a premium on differentiating itself from the competition by creating a unique brand image based on a hip, comfortable line of clothing, and a “Made in the USA” slogan. Founded in California, American Apparel is a company that wants its customers to be comfortable in its merchandise, as well as in their own skin above all else. American Apparel offers clothing and accessories for men, women, children, and even pets. The vertically-integrated company prides itself on providing value to its customers, making them loyal shoppers of their brand. With over 150 retail store locations nationwide and over a dozen more in countries across the globe, American Apparel has earned its reputation by offering fashionable products of high quality at affordable prices. SEGMENTATION The fashion apparel retail market can be segmented using the following factors: geographic, demographic, and psychographic. Before entering the market, American Apparel studied these factors to create segments. In terms of geographic factors, American Apparel could have alternatively chosen to target include those living in rural small towns, far away from a major metropolis, or in the middle of a farming community. While American Apparel operates over 150 stores in the United States alone, there are less than 24 retail outlets located in the Midwest[1]. As far as demographic factors are...
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...Dov Charney is the CEO and founder of American Apparel. He is responsible for opening the company’s first retail store in 2003. There are about 280 stores in about 20 countries. Charney owns 57% of the company and is responsible for the double-digit loss American Apparel experienced this year (Wall Street Journal). Dov Charney has loss representation from Deloitte & Touche LLC. from flawed financial statements and lost 1,500 factory workers who were illegal immigrants (The Gazette). Dov Charney has designed an organizational culture that may not be appealing to its shareholders. He argues that American Apparel is a “freewheeling creative environment; it’s not inappropriate to use foul language” (Dateline). This may be described to some as a ‘hostile work environment.’ Although the law in California states that it is permissible to use inappropriate language in a creative work environment, American Apparel employees have reported to be offended. Charney says he uses the “language of the street” at work and “it can get pretty salty” (BusinessWeek). Other company policies include drinks on the job for those who are working late and promoting a “highly sexual atmosphere”. He promotes dating within the organization and actively participates in relationships with his subordinates. He claims they have been consensual. Employees have noticed bonuses and incentives for those who have been in a relationship with him (Dateline). These actions can cause employees to feel as...
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...American Apparel Clothing Allowance Policy Spring 2014 Seasonal Clothing Allowance Policy A new seasonal clothing allowance structure has been approved for the Spring! Employees will now choose their allowance from a select list of styles (see attached storyboard). First Season: March 1st — August 31st Second Season: September 1st — February 28th Seasonal Clothing Allowance is for American Apparel Retail employees only. The Seasonal Clothing Allowance categories will be the same for both Regular Retail and Outlet Store Employees. New hires will receive their clothing allowance from the Flea Market. If your city does not have a Flea Market, they will be ordered from Candy Wheeler. Position Summary The seasonal allowance will still be separated by position, and the retail value will remain the same (i.e. Sales Team will receive $180 worth of clothing, at retail price). Here is the position summary: District Management Store Manager, Assistant Manager, Backstock Coordinator Keyholders, Merchandisers, Assistant Backstock Coordinator Sales Team, Cashiers, Backstock Guidelines & Instructions Print the attached storyboard All clothing/accessories have been separated alphabetically by Category and Gender. Female Employees Category A – Tops Category B – Tops Category C – Bodysuits Category D – Bottoms Category E – Bottoms Category F – Dresses/Rompers Category G – Hair Accessories Category H – Jewelry Category I – Belts Category J – Hosiery Male Employees...
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...Company’s Background American Apparel is a clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer in the United State Found in1998 by Dov Charney under the name “Old American Apparel” The company started out as a wholesale business selling undecorated t-shirts, and after its successful, its expand to retailing business, open its first store in L.A in 2003, and expand more to Canada, Europe and Asia. And also h ave its own online retail store. It currently has more than 270 retailer stores in 20 countries. Its retail business offer products for men, women, children, babies and even household pet, targeting at all age. Its wholesale business consists of producing from undecorated apparel to military uniform. And company oftenly promote itself as “Made in the USA" and “Sweatshop Free” product. Company Strategy Vertical integration: In the past decades, it has become the norm amongst the majority of US apparel co mpanies to outsource their manufacturing operations abroad to third vendors. But American apparel ha s kept it local. it had made both backward and forward vertical integration as a central part of its strateg y. It bases its operation and manufacturing in this building 800,000 sq. ft. factory in downtown L.A. In t his building it does fabric cutting, sewing, knitting, dyeing , as well as distribution and wholesale operat ion. And it also does its own clothing design, marketing, and advertising, which often using its employee s as photographers and clothing models. As the...
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...Accounting for Decision Making American Apparel: Drowning in Debt? Case Study Analysis Prepared by Group 7-section A: Ambika Ravi Shankar - 14009 Ashish Sopori -14018 Ashvita Ganesh - 14020 Tamilarasi Rajappa – 14066 Pragadeeshwaran Selvaraju - 14075 Introduction American Apparel, is an American multi-national clothing manufacturer, distributor and retailer since 1988based in Los Angeles, California. Dov Charney, a Canadian business man was a founder and former CEO of the company. He was involved in nearly every part of the business process from design and manufacturing to marketing. The Ernst & Young named Charney Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004. He was also termed "Man of the Year" by various fashion magazines. American Apparel is about vision, passion, intensity, brand-free, sustainable, fair wages, solar power, recycling, creativity and the can-do spirit”, according to CEO Dov Charney. American Apparel is known for their creative campaigns, print advertisements and own designs. The company promotes provocative and controversial advertising campaigns, which is largely the inspiration of the former company CEO, Dov Charney. The company was ranked 308th in the Inc. 2005 list of the 500 fastest growing companies in the United States, with a 440% three-year growth and revenues in 2005 of over US$211 Million. General facts on the global clothing industry The world clothing and textile industry (clothing, textiles, footwear and luxury goods)...
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... The Good of Apparel; (Chapter 7) 1) American Apparel is a multinational corporation at the crossroads of profitability and nationalism. The clothing industry is one of the biggest manufacturing sectors with respect to the exploitation of human rights. American Apparel has made numerous landmark moves to get away from the negative connotations of the clothing industry. There are 3 main ways that American Apparel has tried to combat these negative associations; utilization of Vertical Integration, Sweat Shop Free and 100% Made in USA. Vertical Integration allows for AA to know exactly who makes, and how they make it for every input in the manufacturing process. This means that the business is consolidated and every decision comes from the same place allowing for autonomy across business segments. “In the past decades, it has become the norm amongst the majority of US apparel companies to move their manufacturing operations abroad to third party vendors. American Apparel has kept it local. We are vertically integrated, and operate the largest apparel manufacturing facility in North America, right in Downtown LA. Though it's not the easy road to travel, this has always been our business model.” ("Vertical Integration") As outlined on the website, American Apparel prides itself on not leveraging sweat-shops in efforts of higher profit margins. Instead of exploiting a poor country for its low cost labour, American Apparel utilizes thousands of American workers making a competitive...
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...American Apparel: Exploitation to the Highest Elevation Amanda Data Lifestyle and marketing through social media platforms, such as Instagram, has increased company sales exponentially. Well-known, “Made in the USA” brand, American Apparel has continually sought after its minimalistic customers through heavy media presence. Clay Shirky’s “Here Comes Everybody” suggests that social media democratization has secured a “unified freedom of speech” in a society that encourages the publication of anyone that wants to have a voice in these social media outlets (79). American Apparel’s Instagram presence has created a feed of the brand’s current aesthetic, showing no evidence of the risqué and inappropriate advertisements from past seasons – accounts that the company has been chastised for on numerous occasions. In a society where freedom of speech unites social media users, it also has consolidated a profile of companies where others have access to preconceived ideas of them. While American Apparel has attempted to use Instagram in effort to retract their resentful brand image from the past, it appears that they have misused the security of “unified freedom of speech” to the own disadvantage, resulting in wallowing debts and a cooperate image that is misrepresented by their picturesque Instagram. Author of The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell focuses on the idea of spreading thoughts, ideas, and relationships through one single people that enables themselves to provide this sort...
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...coal and iron ore, and the ovens that coal was coked in (Online Highways). The company also tried to focus on using internal talent from the floor up, rather than buying it from other companies. Because he did not have to pay any middle men, Carnegie could aggressively cost his steel and still make a profit (Online Highways). With his lower prices, Carnegie began to slowly become a monopoly due to being the cheapest option in steel. American Apparel is an example of a modern day company that uses vertical integration. They start by knitting and dying fabrics, and continue all the way to public stores. Due to the lack of middlemen, they are able to cut production costs, and because they are entirely in the United States, they are able to cut shipping costs by not using foreign vendors (American Apparel. This supplies American’s with jobs rather than outsourcing to another country (American Apparel). People like the idea of supporting their country rather than a foreign one, so people tend to buy American-products (Economist), giving American Apparel an advantage over other companies. Vertical integration gives society more competitive prices, meaning the consumer saves money as well as the companies. Vertical integration creates more jobs, leading to more people being paid so more money is spent, helping everyone. The only disadvantage of vertical integration is how competitive the pricing is. If a local business has to compete with a big one that is vertically integrated, the...
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...American Apparel American Apparel, founded in 1997, began its business strategy differently than most other companies. The founder, Dov Charney, believed in the philosophy of being a vertically integrated company. This means they manufacture, produce and sell their own products. Sales were slowly decreasing over the years because of poor fiscal management. To remain the largest U.S. apparel store they needed to tighten the reins on their financial management. Synopsis of the Case American Apparel is the largest clothing manufacturer located in the U.S that is sweat-shop free. They are infamous for selling their sexually explicit t-shirts as well as other clothing. All American Apparel operations are done within their facilities located in downtown LA. They enjoy high retention rates through generous benefits packages and other incentives. American Apparel strives to grow to be the most recognized clothing line in the U.S. by properly managing their finances. Relevant Factual Information about the Problem or Decision the Organization Faced American Apparel offers a comfortable environment for their employees. They offer incentives such as health care for employees and families, free parking, bus passes, low auto insurance, health and wellness centers, subsidized lunches and training to improve their job and management skills (Grant, 2010, p.259). Charney realizes that the benefits he offers are costly but they ensure continuity amongst his employees. Since...
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...expectations of the customer. It is important to build a good relationships with suppliers. It is a characteristic that e companies should take in consideration to succeed in the market. This will allow them to get good results for their business, improve the quality of the inputs and achieve future agreements which are beneficial for the company. Proper coordination with vendors allows companies to produce a better final product or service, which will generate greater customer satisfaction and, therefore, higher sales for the business. The good relationship becomes more crucial in the case of companies that rely on a provider in specific. This can be related to the case study in which Trip Seven Screen Printing has as a unique supplier, American Apparel, even though their relation has been satisfactory for the past years, recently, issues with orders have become a problem to Trip Seven Screen Printing. It has affected the quality of their service, in the matter of delivering on time. Some the possible problems that companies could have with their suppliers are basically the following: - Delay in response to requests (either a quote, product shipment or response to a service). - What buyers are asking for is not what they...
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