Wal-Mart vs. Amazon: Fight is on for book sales
October 19, 2009 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 5 Managing Technology and Information
Description: The world’s largest retailer launches a price war against the Web’s premier bookseller as the crucial holiday sales period looms.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 10/16/2009
Keys: Marketing (p387), Economy (p66)
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/16/news/companies/walmart_amazon_books/index.htm?postversion=2009101617
Questions for discussion:
- Who do you think will win this battle for customers? Explain your answer.
- Why is price so important in this situation?
- Are the target markets that each company appeals to the same? Explain your answer.
- How is buyer behavior important to understanding this story?
Google sparks e-books fight with Kindle
October 19, 2009 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 5 Managing Technology and Information
Description: Google plans to launch an online store to deliver electronic books to any device with a Web browser, threatening to upset a burgeoning market for dedicated e-readers dominated by Amazon’s Kindle.
Source: Reuters.com
Date: 10/16/2009
Keys: Competing in world markets (p100), Marketing (p387)
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSTRE59E28H20091016
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think Google’s strategy will work?
- Does Google’s strategy have any competitive advantage over the competition? Explain your answer.
McDonald’s Offers Potato Burger With Fries, No Onions in India
October 19, 2009 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: McDonald’s Corp. is staking its future in India on burgers made from mashed potatoes, peas and spices. Sumil Mittal says it’s a good bet. Mittal, 19, sits beneath the golden arches at a McDonald’s in Ambala, a small town 125 miles north of New Delhi. He’s eating the vegetarian McAloo Tikki sandwich, with french fries and a Coke, before seeing the new Bollywood movie, “Wake Up Sid.”
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 10/16/2009
Keys: Competing in world markets (p100), Marketing (p387), Business Ethics and social responsibility (p32)
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=auX4o5c.BK70
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think McDonald’s strategy in India is socially responsible? Explain your answer.
- Do you think fast-food consumers in India are much different than consumers elsewhere – aside from the menu?
- What risks are there for McDonald in India?
Dell plans first U.S. smartphone with AT&T: source
October 12, 2009 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Dell Inc plans to launch a smartphone with Google’s Android mobile software on carrier AT&T’s network, a source said, marking the PC maker’s first foray into a cut-throat U.S. cellphone arena.
Source: Reuters.com
Date: 10/08/2009
Keys: Competing in world markets (p100), Marketing (p387)
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5965IP20091008
Questions for discussion:
- Who is the target market for this sort of device?
- How important is the brand to the customer when selecting a device?
- What advantage or disadvantage does the Dell brand name have with these customers?
- Do you think Dell’s entry into this market is going to succeed? Explain your answer.
