Retail Industry Service and Product Retailing

Business Situation
Retail industry, particularly the service-based retailers has greater needs to
communicate with their customers easily and cost effectively to improve their
businesses. Current business situation include:
Lack of timely and immediate marketing channel that is suitable for the business
*
Minimum communication with customers except those with membership program
*
No better communication system to inform customers on new products or collection
* of products/services when ready (like laundry and photo processing)
Enquiry gathering from advertisement via telephone
*
Marketing via traditional media like newspaper, magazines and leaflets
*
Possible Improvements
Use SMS to inform customers when products/services are ready (like laundry and
* photo processing)
Use SMS for marketing and promotion for immediate promotion (like immediate
* offers)
Reminder SMS for new products and services
*
SMS advertising enquiry number (24x7) to support response from advertisement
*
Use SMS coupon as a better and cheaper alternative to paper based discount
* coupon

Benefits
Better customer service by providing SMS based reminder and enquiry system
*
Lower promotion cost via SMS to permission based customers
*
Lower marketing cost via SMS
*
Have a 24x7 response number via SMS for sales enquiries reducing the cost of
* manning telephone
Improve cashflow by reducing inventory or work-in progress (like laundry and photo
* processing)
Increase customers and patrons
*
Increase sales
*
TalariaX Solution
Using sendQuick Appliance Server and integrate to Point-of-Sale, CRM and retail
* systems for easy SMS
For companies with stand-alone system, can use simple email software to send
* mass SMS using email-to-SMS method
The whole system could be implemented within 10 minutes.
*
If customization required, can integrate to PDA and other devices. TalariaX can
* provide professional services to assist implementation using SMS, Web, and
GPRS technologies.

http://www.talariax.com/ma_servprod.htm

Retailing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"Retail" and "Retail stores" redirect here. For the comic strip by Norm Feuti, see Retail
(comic strip).

Drawing of a self-service store.

Retail consists of the sale of goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a
department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct
consumption by the purchaser.[1] Retailing may include subordinated services, such as
delivery. Purchasers may be individuals or businesses. In commerce, a "retailer" buys
goods or products in large quantities from manufacturers or importers, either directly or
through a wholesaler, and then sells smaller quantities to the end-user. Retail
establishments are often called shops or stores. Retailers are at the end of the supply
chain. Manufacturing marketers see the process of retailing as a necessary part of their
overall distribution strategy. The term "retailer" is also applied where a service provider
services the needs of a large number of individuals, such as a public utility, like electric
power.

Shops may be on residential streets, shopping streets with few or no houses or in a

shopping mall. Shopping streets may be for pedestrians only. Sometimes a shopping
street has a partial or full roof to protect customers from precipitation. Online retailing, a
type of electronic commerce used for business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions and mail
order, are forms of non-shop retailing.

Shopping generally refers to the act of buying products. Sometimes this is done to obtain
necessities such as food and clothing; sometimes it is done as a recreational activity.
Recreational shopping often involves window shopping (just looking, not buying) and
browsing and does not always result in a purchase.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Etymology
• 2 Types of retail outlets
• 3 Retail pricing
• 4 Transfer mechanism
• 5 Second hand retail
• 6 Sales techniques
• 7 Customer service
• 8 Retail Sales
• 9 Bibliography
• 10 See also
• 11 Notes

• 12 External links

[edit] Etymology
The Apple Store retail location on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

The world's only Garmin retail location is located on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

Retail comes from the Old French word retaillier (compare modern French retailler),
which means "to cut off, clip, pare, divide" in terms of tailoring (1365[citation needed]). It was
first recorded as a noun with the meaning of a "sale in small quantities" in 1433[citation needed]
(from the Middle French retail, "piece cut off, shred, scrap, paring").[2] Like the French,
the word retail in both Dutch and German (detailhandel and Einzelhandel, respectively)
also refers to the sale of small quantities of items.

[edit] Types of retail outlets

San Juan de Dios Market in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Inside a supermarket in Russia

A marketplace is a location where goods and services are exchanged. The traditional
market square is a city square where traders set up stalls and buyers browse the
merchandise. This kind of market is very old, and countless such markets are still in
operation around the whole world.

In some parts of the world, the retail business is still dominated by small family-run
stores, but this market is increasingly being taken over by large retail chains.

Retail is usually classified by type of products as follows:

• Food products
• Hard goods ("hardline retailers") - appliances, electronics, furniture, sporting
goods, etc.
• Soft goods - clothing, apparel, and other fabrics.

There are the following types of retailers by marketing strategy:

• Department stores - very large stores offering a huge assortment of "soft" and
"hard goods; often bear a resemblance to a collection of specialty stores. A
retailer of such store carries variety of categories and has broad assortment at
average price. They offer considerable customer service.
• Discount stores - tend to offer a wide array of products and services, but they
compete mainly on price offers extensive assortment of merchandise at affordable
and cut-rate prices. Normally retailers sell less fashion-oriented brands.
• General merchandise store - a hybrid between a department store and discount
store;
• Supermarkets - sell mostly food products;
• Warehouse stores - warehouses that offer low-cost, often high-quantity goods
piled on pallets or steel shelves; warehouse clubs charge a membership fee;
• Variety stores or "dollar stores" - these offer extremely low-cost goods, with
limited selection;
• Demographic - retailers that aim at one particular segment (e.g., high-end retailers
focusing on wealthy individuals).
• Mom-And-Pop (or Kirana Stores as they call them in India): is a retail outlet that
is owned and operated by individuals. The range of products are very selective
and few in numbers. These stores are seen in local community often are family-
run businesses. The square feet area of the store depends on the store holder.
• Specialty Stores: A typical specialty store gives attention to a particular category
and provides high level of service to the customers. A pet store that specializes in
selling dog food would be regarded as a specialty store. However, branded stores
also come under this format. For example if a customer visits a Reebok or Gap
store then they find just Reebok and Gap products in the respective stores.
 • Convenience Stores: is essentially found in residential areas. They provide limited
amount of merchandise at more than average prices with a speedy checkout. This
store is ideal for emergency and immediate purchases.
• Hypermarkets: provides variety and huge volumes of exclusive merchandise at
low margins. The operating cost is comparatively less than other retail formats. A
classic example is the Metro™ in Bangalore.
• Supermarkets: is a self service store consisting mainly of grocery and limited
products on non food items. They may adopt a Hi-Lo or an EDLP strategy for
pricing. The supermarkets can be anywhere between 20,000-40,000 square feet.
Example: SPAR™ supermarket.
• Malls: has a range of retail shops at a single outlet. They endow with products,
food and entertainment under a roof. Example: Sigma mall and Garuda mall in
Bangalore, Express Avenue in Chennai.
• Category Killers or Category Specialist: By supplying wide assortment in a single
category for lower prices a retailer can "kill" that category for other retailers. For
few categories, such as electronics, the products are displayed at the centre of the
store and sales person will be available to address customer queries and give
suggestions when required. Other retail format stores are forced to reduce the
prices if a category specialist retail store is present in the vicinity. For example:
Pai Electronics™ store in Bangalore, Tata Croma.
• E-tailers: The customer can shop and order through internet and the merchandise
are dropped at the customer's doorstep. Here the retailers use drop shipping
technique. They accept the payment for the product but the customer receives the
product directly from the manufacturer or a wholesaler. This format is ideal for
customers who do not want to travel to retail stores and are interested in home
shopping. However it is important for the customer to be wary about defective
products and non secure credit card transaction. Example: Amazon and Ebay.
• Vending Machines: This is an automated piece of equipment wherein customers
can drop in the money in machine and acquire the products. For example: Soft
drinks vending at Bangalore Airport.

Some stores take a no frills approach, while others are "mid-range" or "high end",
depending on what income level they target.

Other types of retail store include:

• Automated Retail stores are self service, robotic kiosks located in airports, malls
and grocery stores. The stores accept credit cards and are usually open 24/7.
Examples include ZoomShops and Redbox.
• Big-box stores encompass larger department, discount, general merchandise, and
warehouse stores.
• Convenience store - a small store often with extended hours, stocking everyday or
roadside items;
• General store - a store which sells most goods needed, typically in a rural area;
Retailers can opt for a format as each provides different retail mix to its customers based
on their customer demographics, lifestyle and purchase behaviour. A good format will
lend a hand to display products well and entice the target customers to spawn sales.

A food vendor in India

Adidas store in Tel Aviv, Israel

[edit] Retail pricing

The pricing technique used by most retailers is cost-plus pricing. This involves adding a
markup amount (or percentage) to the retailer's cost. Another common technique is
suggested retail pricing. This simply involves charging the amount suggested by the
manufacturer and usually printed on the product by the manufacturer.

In Western countries, retail prices are often called psychological prices or odd prices.
Often prices are fixed and displayed on signs or labels. Alternatively, when prices are not
clearly displayed, there can be price discrimination, where the sale price is dependent
upon who the customer is. For example, a customer may have to pay more if the seller
determines that he or she is willing and/or able to. Another example would be the practice
of discounting for youths, students, or senior citizens.

[edit] Transfer mechanism

There are several ways in which consumers can receive goods from a retailer:

• Counter service, where goods are out of reach of buyers and must be obtained
from the seller. This type of retail is common for small expensive items (e.g.
jewelry) and controlled items like medicine and liquor. It was common before the
1900s in the United States and is more common in certain countries.[which?]
• Delivery, where goods are shipped directly to consumer's homes or workplaces.
Mail order from a printed catalog was invented in 1744 and was common in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ordering by telephone is now common, either
from a catalog, newspaper, television advertisement or a local restaurant menu,
for immediate service (especially for pizza delivery). Direct marketing, including
telemarketing and television shopping channels, are also used to generate
telephone orders. Online shopping started gaining significant market share in
developed countries in the 2000s.
• Door-to-door sales, where the salesperson sometimes travels with the goods for
sale.
• Self-service, where goods may be handled and examined prior to purchase

[edit] Second hand retail

See also: Charity shop

Some shops sell second-hand goods. In the case of a nonprofit shop, the public donates
goods to the shop to be sold. In give-away shops goods can be taken for free.

Another form is the pawnshop, in which goods are sold that were used as collateral for
loans. There are also "consignment" shops, which are where a person can place an item in
a store and if it sells, the person gives the shop owner a percentage of the sale price. The
advantage of selling an item this way is that the established shop gives the item exposure
to more potential buyers.

[edit] Sales techniques

Behind the scenes at retail, there is another factor at work. Corporations and independent
store owners alike are always trying to get the edge on their competitors. One way to do
this is to hire a merchandising solutions company to design custom store displays that
will attract more customers in a certain demographic. The nation's largest retailers spend
millions every year on in-store marketing programs that correspond to seasonal and
promotional changes. As products change, so will a retail landscape. Retailers can also
use facing techniques to create the look of a perfectly stocked store, even when it is not.
A destination store is one that customers will initiate a trip specifically to visit,
sometimes over a large area. These stores are often used to "anchor" a shopping mall or
plaza, generating foot traffic, which is capitalized upon by smaller retailers.

[edit] Customer service

According to the bookDiscovery-Based Retail,[3] customer service is the "sum of acts and
elements that allow consumers to receive what they need or desire from your retail
establishment." It is important for a sales associate to greet the customer and make
himself available to help the customer find whatever he needs. When a customer enters
the store, it is important that the sales associate does everything in his power to make the
customer feel welcomed, important, and make sure he leave the store satisfied. Giving the
customer full, undivided attention and helping him find what he is looking for will
contribute to the customer's satisfaction.

[edit] Retail Sales

US Retail Sales 1992-2010

The Retail Sales report is published every month. It is a measure of consumer spending,
an important indicator of the US GDP. Retail firms provide data on the dollar value of
their retail sales and inventories. A sample of 12,000 firms is included in the final survey
and 5,000 in the advanced one. The advanced estimated data is based on a subsample
from the US CB complete retail & food services sample.[4]

It has been published by the US Census Bureau since 1951.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retailing

Retail design
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Retail design is a creative and commercial discipline that combines several different
areas of expertise together in the design and construction of retail space. Retail design is
primarily a specialized practice of architecture and interior design, however it also
incorporates elements of interior decoration, industrial design, graphic design,
ergonomics, and advertising.[1][2][3]
Retail design is a very specialized discipline due to the heavy demands placed on retail
space. Because the primary purpose of retail space is to stock and sell product to
consumers, the spaces must be designed in a way that promotes an enjoyable and hassle-
free shopping experience for the consumer. The space must be specially-tailored to the
kind of product being sold in that space; for example, a bookstore requires many large
shelving units to accommodate small products that can be arranged categorically while a
clothing store requires more open space to fully display product.[4][5][6]

Retail spaces, especially when they form part of a retail chain, must also be designed to
draw people into the space to shop. The storefront must act as a billboard for the store,
often employing large display windows that allow shoppers to see into the space and the
product inside. In the case of a retail chain, the individual spaces must be unified in their
design.[4][7]

Contents
[hide]

• 1 History
• 2 See also
• 3 References
• 4 Further reading

• 5 External links

[edit] History
Retail design first began to grow in the middle of the 19th century, with stores such as
Bon Marche and Printemps in Paris, "followed by Marshall Fields in Chicago, Selfridges
in London and Macy's in New York." These early retail design stores were swiftly
continued with a new innovation called the chain store. The first chain store was opened
in the early 20th century by Frank Winfield Woolworth, which quickly became a
franchise across the US. Other chain stores began growing in places like the UK a decade
or so later, with stores like Boots. After WWII, an new type of retail design building
known as the shopping centre came into being. This type of building took two different
paths in comparison between the US and Europe. Shopping centres began being built out
of town within the United States in order to benefit the suburban family, while Europe
began putting shopping centres in the middle of town. The first shopping centre in the
Netherlands was built in the 1950's, as retail design ideas began spreading east.[8]

The next evolution of retail design was the creation of the boutique in the 1960's, which
emphasized retail design run by individuals. Some of the earliest examples of boutiques
are the Biba boutique created by Barbara Hulanicki and the Habitat line of stores made
by Terence Conran. The rise of the boutique was followed, in the next two decades, with
an overall increase in consumer spending across the developed world. This rise made
retail design shift to compensate for increased customers and alternative focuses. Many
retail design stores redesigned themselves over the period to keep up with changing
consumer tastes. These changes resulted on one side with the creation of multiple
"expensive, one-off designer shops" catering to specific fashion designers and retailers.[8]

The rise of the internet and internet retailing in the latter part of the 20th century and into
the 21st century saw another change in retail design to compensate. Many different
sectors not related to the internet reached out to retail design and its practices in order to
lure online shoppers back to physical shops, where retail design can be properly utilized.
[8]

Retail design

Retail design

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retail_design

Automotive design
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Exterior design)
Jump to: navigation, search
This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged
and removed. (June 2010)
Designers at work in 1961. Standing by the scale model's left front fender is Richard
Teague, a famous automobile designer at American Motors Corporation (AMC)

Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and
to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This
most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses,
coaches, and vans. The functional design and development of a modern motor vehicle is
typically done by a large team from many different disciplines included in automotive
engineers. Automotive design in this context is primarily concerned with developing the
visual appearance or aesthetics of the vehicle, though it is also involved in the creation of
the product concept. Automotive design is practiced by designers who usually have an art
background and a degree in industrial design or transportation design.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Design elements
o 1.1 Exterior design
o 1.2 Interior design
o 1.3 Color and trim design
o 1.4 Graphic design
• 2 Development process
• 3 History of automobile design in the U.S.
• 4 History of automobile design in Europe
o 4.1 France
o 4.2 Great Britain
o 4.3 Germany
o 4.4 Italy
o 4.5 Sweden (Scandinavian)
o 4.6 Czechoslovakia
• 5 See also
• 6 References

• 7 External links

[edit] Design elements

A Bertone Birusa concept car on display at an International Car Show. In the Background
are some concept sketches

Draft of OScar design proposal

The task of the design team is usually split into three main aspects: exterior design,
interior design, and color and trim design. Graphic design is also an aspect of automotive
design; this is generally shared amongst the design team as the lead designer sees fit.
Design focuses not only on the isolated outer shape of automobile parts, but concentrates
on the combination of form and function, starting from the vehicle package.

The aesthetic value will need to correspond to ergonomic functionality and utility
features as well. In particular, vehicular electronic components and parts will give more
challenges to automotive designers who are required to update on the latest information
and knowledge associated with emerging vehicular gadgetry, particularly dashtop mobile
devices, like GPS navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, mobile TV, MP3 players, video
playback and smartphone interfaces. Though not all the new vehicular gadgets are to be
designated as factory standard items, but some of them may be integral to determining
the future course of any specific vehicular models.

[edit] Exterior design

The stylist responsible for the design of the exterior of the vehicle develops the
proportions, shape, and surfaces of the vehicle. Exterior design is first done by a series of
digital or manual drawings. Progressively more detailed drawings are executed and
approved. Clay (industrial plasticine) and or digital models are developed from, and
along with the drawings. The data from these models are then used to create a full sized
mock-up of the final design (body in white). With 3 and 5 axis CNC Milling Machines,
the clay model is first designed in a computer program and then "carved" using the
machine and large amounts of clay. Even in times of high-class 3d software and virtual
models on powerwalls the clay model is still the most important tool to evaluate the
design of a car and therefore used throughout the industry.

[edit] Interior design

The stylist responsible for the design of the vehicle interior develops the proportions,
shape, placement, and surfaces for the instrument panel, seats, door trim panels,
headliner, pillar trims, etc. Here the emphasis is on ergonomics and the comfort of the
passengers. The procedure here is the same as with exterior design (sketch, digital model
and clay model).

[edit] Color and trim design

The color and trim (or color and materials) designer is responsible for the research,
design, and development of all interior and exterior colors and materials used on a
vehicle. These include paints, plastics, fabric designs, leather, grains, carpet, headliner,
wood trim, and so on. Color, contrast, texture, and pattern must be carefully combined to
give the vehicle a unique interior environment experience. Designers work closely with
the exterior and interior designers.

Designers draw inspiration from other design disciplines such as: industrial design,
fashion, home furnishing, architecture and sometimes Product Design . Specific research
is done into global trends to design for projects two to three model years in the future.
Trend boards are created from this research in order to keep track of design influences as
they relate to the automotive industry. The designer then uses this information to develop
themes and concepts which are then further refined and tested on the vehicle models.

[edit] Graphic design

The design team also develop graphics for items such as: badges, decals, dials, switches,
kick or tread strips, liveries.

[edit] Development process

Includes the following steps:

• Concept sketching
• Clay modeling
• Class A surfaces
• Scale model creation
• Prototype development
• Computer-aided design
• Computer modeling
• Powertrain engineering
• Manufacturing process design
 This section requires expansion.

[edit] History of automobile design in the U.S.

In the United States, automotive design reached a turning point in 1924 when the
American national automobile market began reaching saturation. To maintain unit sales,
General Motors head Alfred P. Sloan Jr. suggested annual model-year design changes to
convince car owners that they needed to buy a new replacement each year, an idea
borrowed from the bicycle industry (though Sloan usually gets the credit, or blame).[1]
Critics called his strategy planned obsolescence. Sloan preferred the term "dynamic
obsolescence". This strategy had far-reaching effects on the auto business, the field of
product design, and eventually the American economy. The smaller players could not
maintain the pace and expense of yearly re-styling. Henry Ford did not like the model-
year change because he clung to an engineer's notions of simplicity, economics of scale,
and design integrity. GM surpassed Ford's sales in 1931 and became the dominant
company in the industry thereafter. The frequent design changes also made it necessary to
use a body-on-frame rather than the lighter, but less flexible,[clarification needed] monocoque
design used by most European automakers.

An early example of Forward look design 1956 Plymouth Fury

In the 1930s Chrysler's innovation with aerodynamics made them launch Chrysler
Airflow in 1934, which was quite revolutionary and radical. But lower acceptance of the
car forced Chrysler to re-sdesign its later models of 'Airflow' made the industry take note
of risks involved in taking major design advancements in short cycles.

One very well-known American auto stylist is Harley Earl,[2] who brought the tailfin and
other aeronautical design references to auto design in the 1950s. He is joined among
legendary designers by Gordon Buehrig, responsible for the Auburn 851 and iconic Cord
810 and 812 (hence also the Hupmobile Skylark and the Graham Hollywood). Another
notable designer who had a markedly different style was Chrysler group's designer Virgil
Exner, an early pioneer of cab forward (a.k.a.Forward look) design in mid-1950s later
adapted by rest of the industry. He is also credited with introducing the pointed tail fins in
the 1956 Plymouth Belvedere later adapted by all other Detroit studios. Personal injury
litigation had a dramatic effect on the design and appearance of the car in the 20th
century.[3] Raymond Loewy was responsible for a number of Studebaker vehicles,
including the Starlight (including the iconic bulletnose). Richard A. Teague, who spent
most of his career with the American Motor Company, originated the concept of using
interchangeable body panels so as to create a wide array of different vehicles using the
same stampings starting with the AMC Cavalier.[4] He was responsible for such unique
automotive designs as the Pacer, Gremlin, Matador coupe, Jeep Cherokee, and the
complete interior of the Eagle Premier.[5][6]

In the 1960s Ford's first generation Ford Mustang and Thunderbird marked another era
leading into new market segments from Detroit. The Ford Mustang achieved record sales
in its first year of production and established the pony car segment.

[edit] History of automobile design in Europe

An early radical French Voisin C27

Europe is the continent where the first Automobile was invented, eventually replacing the
Horse Drawn Coaches. Till World War I most of the manufacturers were concerned with
mechanical reliability rather than its external appearance. Later, luxury and aesthetics
became a demand and also an effective marketing tool. Designs from each nation with its
own strong cultural identity, reflected in their exterior and interior designs. World War II
slowed the progress, but after early-1950s, Italian designers set the trend and remained
the driving force until the early part of the 1980s.

[edit] France

Citroën DS

In France notable designs came from Bugatti and Avions Voisin. Of the mass selling cars
Citroën, launched their vehicles with innovative designs and engineering and mostly
aided by the Styling of Flaminio Bertoni as evident from Citroën DS. After World War II
with the disappearance of the French coach building industry, with the exception of
Citroën, others stuck to following British and other popular trends till they gained
financial stability. From the 1980s, manufactures like Renault cultivated their own strong
design identities with designers like Patrick Le Quement demanding more freedom from
engineering departments. Peugeot, which was dependent on Pininfarina since early post-
war period, later established its own brand identity from 1980s onwards. Its other
company Citroën still retains it distinctive French innovations in its designs. Today
French designs are known for their innovativeness and forward looking.

[edit] Great Britain

1981 Ford Sierra with "jelly-mould" or "aero look" (low CD) styling was advanced for its
time

Great Britain was Europe’s leading manufacturer of automobiles until the late-1960s.
During that era there were more British-based automakers than in the rest of Europe
combined. The British automobile industry catered to all segments ranging from
compact, budget, sports, utility, and luxury-type cars. Car design in Britain was markedly
different from other European designs largely because British designers were not
influenced by other European art or design movements, as well as the British clay
modelers used a different sweep set.

British cars until World War II were sold in most of the British colonies. Innovations in
vehicle packaging and chassis engineering combined with global familiarity with British
designs meant vehicles were acceptable to public tastes at that time. British skilled
resources like panel beaters, die machinists, and clay modelers were also available also
partly due their involvement with motorsport industry.

Still during the 1960s British manufacturers sought professional help from the Italians,
Giovanni Michelotti, Ercole Spada and Pininfarina.Notable British contributions to
automobile designs were Morris Mini by Alec Issigonis, Several Jaguar Cars by Sir
William Lyons, Aston Martin DB Series, and several cars from Triumph and MG. Ford
Europe based in Great Britain is notable for Ford Sierra, a creation of Uwe Bahnsen,
Robert Lutz, and Patrick le Quément.Other well known British designers were William
Towns for Aston Martin designs and David Bache, for his Land Rover and Range Rover
vehicles.
[edit] Germany

The 1972 BMW 2002 by Giovanni Michelotti

Germany is often considered the birthplace of industrial design with Bauhaus School of
Design. However, the Nazi regime closed down the design school. Ferdinand Porsche
and his family played a significant role in German design. Mercedes Benz passenger cars
were also in luxury segment and played more importance to aesthetics. After the 1980s
German design evolved into a distinctive Teutonic style often to compliment their high
engineered cars suited to Autobahns. But the early German design clues of present day
owes some part to Italian designers like Giovanni Michelotti, Ercole Spada, Bruno Sacco
and Giorgetto Giugiaro. During Mid and late 20th century one of the most influential
coach builder/designer in Germany was Karmann.

German designs started gaining popularity after the 1980s, notable after the formation of
Audi. Volkswagen, which was dependent on Marcello Gandini and Giorgetto Giugiaro
and Karmann, later formed the contemporary design language along with Audi. BMW’s
foray into sports sedan marked a new trend in automobile design as it called for a sporty-
looking everyday sedan with Giovanni Michelotti , later enhanced by Ercole Spada right
into the 1980s, and Klaus Luthe till mid-1990s. The American born designer Chris
Bangle hired by BMW in late-1990s to re-define the brand and he used new single press
technology for compound curves adding controversial styling elements in his designs.

The Porsche family contribution were instrumental in the evolution of Porsche cars,
while the Italian designer Bruno Sacco helped create various Mercedes Models from the
1960s till the 1990s.

[edit] Italy
Ferrari Testarossa from Pininfarina Studios by Leonardo Fioravanti

In Italy, where art is often considered a serious profession since Renaissance period,
companies like Fiat and Alfa Romeo played a major role in car design. Many coach
builders were dependent on these two major manufacturers. Italian manufacturers had a
large presence in Motorsports leading to several sport car manufacturers like Ferrari,
Lancia, Lamborghini, Maserati, etc. During late-1950s the elegant Italian designs gained
global popularity coinciding with the modern fashion and architecture at that time around
the world. Various design and technical schools in Turin turned out designers in large
scale. By the late-1960s almost all Italian coach builders transformed into design studios
catering to automakers around the world. The trend continued in the 1990s when the
Japanese and Korean manufacturers sourced designs from these styling studios.One
example is Pininfarina.

The most famous Italian designers whose designs services were sought globally are
Giovanni Michelotti, Ercole Spada, Bruno Sacco, Marcello Gandini and Giorgetto
Giugiaro.All the following designers helped create the design foundations for most of the
European brands in the post-world war II period, whose influence is still seen in present
times.

[edit] Sweden (Scandinavian)

Ursaab, an early Saab concept illustrating an advanced headlamp treatment

Sweden has Volvo and Saab and the Scandinavian landscape required that cars had to be
sturdy and withstand Nordic climate conditions. The Scandinavian design elements are
known for their minimalism and simplicity. One of the early original Scandinavian
designs was the Saab 92001 by Sikstena Sasona and Gunnar Ljungström.
[edit] Czechoslovakia

The 1934 Czechoslovakian Tatra T77 is the first serial-produced aerodynamically

designed automobile designed by Hans Ledwinka and Paul Jaray

Prior to World War and until early 1990s, Czechoslovakia had strong presence in the
automotive industry with manufacturers like Skoda, Jawa, Tatra, CZ, and Zetor. Czech
automobiles were generally known for their originality in mechanical simplicity and
designs were remarkably Bohemian as evident from Tatra cars and Jawa motorcycles.
During the Communist regime, design started falling back and ultimately the domestic
automakers ended up as subsidiaries of EU-based companies.

National Retail Services Center

• Introduction
• Solutions
• Services

IT expertise for retail—on demand

The National Retail Services Center (NRSC) is a services group within IBM Retail Store
Solutions that specializes in helping retailers minimize the time and risk typically
associated with developing, customizing and integrating store-level solutions.

Typically, retailers engage the NRSC for help with software customization and projects
that involve integrating existing and new software and hardware. Whether your in-house
IT experts are unavailable or you need an IT partner with experience in a specific
technology, the NRSC can work with your team to deliver the services that meet your
needs.

Critical IT expertise for retailers

The NRSC has deep technical and retail skills, with more than 60 IT specialists on staff
representing more than 900 collective years of retail systems experience. The NRSC
works in all retail markets and segments, with any size organization, and has a proven
track record of successful engagements with both U.S. and international retailers. In fact,
NRSC solutions are installed in more than 30,000 stores worldwide.

The NRSC helps retailers implement many different kinds of solutions delivered through
IBM and IBM Business Partners. Solution components may include software products
from IBM, IBM Business Partners or independent software vendors (ISVs); specialized
software developed in customer engagements; hardware components from IBM or other
providers, and/or enhancements to existing solutions.

http://www.business.com/search/rslt_default.asp?
query=service+retailing&bottomSearch=true&x=16&y=15