Week 9- Sales Promotion and Personal Selling

           Apple has manage to motivate consumers to purchase their products by Sales Promotion and adding value to their new products. Apple uses promotional methods such as money back guarantees, lower purchases price, rebates, promotions one day sale, discounts in online store, iTunes gift cards, free shipping, and credit for those who qualified. This type of methods are perform by using special short-term techniques to persuade target market to respond toward products.
           An example is the "Back to School" campaign "Buy a Mac for college and get a free iPod touch." This promotion has been promoted since 2007 and only before school starts a short term period from May to September. Engaging college students to buy a Mac for college, "Exercise your mind and your thumbs." During the back to school period, Apple promotes their Mac laptops with school I.D. and they pay for a Macbook and get any free iPod they desire or printer. But for those who didn't bought their Mac during promotion time, college students or teacher or faculty may qualify for education pricing on Mac computers and software all year around.

               Another promotion is Apple's teamwork with Ticketmaster, you can purchase the artists desire album for $1 off in the iTunes Store price, which is a benefit for music fans. Thorough Apple's special promotions sales, the most important consumer sales promotion that Apple provides is within their stores. They display all of their products for consumers to experience hands-on, consumers are allowed to surf the web on computers, listen to the latest  iPods, experience the iPhones, letting consumers get much more comfortable towards the products and their decision making. What better promotion than that can their be.

 

Week 8- Advertising and Public Relations.

             Apple's unique and simple logo has been known and recognize around the world for the past decades. Apple has become well known for its advertisements which are designed to reflect their products to creative individuals. Their most compelling ads include "Think Different", "iPod people", and based on Apple's portable music player the "iPod." Apple has manage to advertise their new innovative products through television commercial, prints, internet, and outdoor media which includes billboards, mini billboards and much more.
           "Think Different" was featured in television as with a small Apple logo and words Think Different in one corner, which attests to Apple's brand recognition. "Switch" was launched in 2002 which refer to a person who changes from using the Microsoft Windows to the Mac and it was referred to as "real people." "Get Mac" in 2006 became a controversial series. It shows the difference of who owns a PC and a Mac and the difference which makes the Mac feels better younger and more relax. The iPod has been the biggest ad, reaching mostly all type of demography all around, with its colorful fun and liberal ad that engages everyone to feel great while listening to your favorite music player.

            Today however, Apple focused much more of its advertising around especial events in conference like the Machord Expo and Apple Expo. At these conference a large gathering of media of representatives and spectators are drawn together to here Apple's latest products, benefits, and expectations. To be knowledge about Apple's products. Apple engages consumer with their simple logo and advertising that relates to all creative and fun people.

Week 7- Retailing

           Apple Retail Store has expanded throughout the last few years having more than 225 stores, including in Japan, Canada, the UK, Italy, Australia and China. Also it has been confirmed that future stores will be open in more countries around the world. Apple retail store is consider a Specialty Store due to it's specializing in a type of merchandise which are the entire line of computer products, software and peripherals mainly is all about technology merchandise.
          Apple store provides the most modern technology and environment which complements with Apple's products. Apple retail store 5th Avenue is an inspiring store, the instant you see it, it leads you to an engaging visit to the store. The store architecture and large front windows with interactive display of cables and wires. The window glass, glass stairs and glass elevator gives a bright entrance and lighting. The store is in the lower level of the entrance and has a very bright interior. As soon ass you enter the interior floor you can see the big display of all products and different sections. Apple store use large open tables to display all products, allowing all visitors experience on hand with each product. Is the best place to test, drive, and explore as well as learn Apple products. Large posters are around the wall showing all products.There's a sit-down area for kids and demonstrations. Apple's staff employees are easily identify by the solid color shirts they wear with Apple logo and their greetings to all customers. One of the most important part of purchasing products is by testing them before you decide. Apple allows it, the presentation of the store is convenient for everyone, having a wide space, large open tables and all the products on display that makes all customers feel in a well modern and comfortable atmosphere.
 

As soon as you enter the store a knowledgeable Apple specialist provides its service to help you with any questions or concern. Not only is the self-service with Apple products the best way to learn about each product use, but also the customer service Apple provides. Employees helps each customers how to use products and gives you valid information. For valuable customers Apple provides One-to-One services which allows introduction guidance to Apple products once you purchase them whether is for business, school or personal use. Also they provide personal shopping appointments to have uninterrupted time with a specialist to have your questions answer.Especially during times when the store are very busy during the day, the 5th Avenue store is always full of visitor mainly because is located in a busiest areas. If you have any technical questions on any of your products, the Genius Bar can answer technical questions, give free advice, insight, technical support, troubleshoot problems, and perform repair by the geniuses of Apple employees. The Apple retail store implement more than just a customer service, they have workshops, youth programs and help for business people. Apple store is a fun place to learn, shop, and experience Apple's products, however its price is moderate to high which makes customers to think twice before they do their purchase. Regardless Apple products are purchased by hundreds of customers daily.

Week 6- Consumer Decision Making

          Apple has been a brand focusing on consumer eletronics needs and improvements in technology. As much more advanced products are launch in Apple's stores, Apple's provides a variety of products that allows consumers to have more options on their best decision making. One of the most innovative products has been the iPod, a portable music player and are in different sizes and styles, such as the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, and i-touch. It's stylish look has attracted people of all demographics, however the tweens and generation Y are the biggest target in the products consumption. Intially the iPod was targeted to tennagers, high income, travelers, and techno savvy, later it became a necessity for everyone who wants to listen to music. The iPod provides a unique style tha allowes anyone to use and was attracted to any group, it became part of a community and has a sense of belonging to it. Is the idea where consumers can carry all songs in one device which can fit in the pocket.
        Influence by peerspppp and others in society has lead an increase in consumers to buy iPod. Consumers are very picky when it comes to making decision on their purchases, it is why when Apple provides their products they allow customers experience the products on hand in Apple's Store and what's best than listening to your favorite music hits while your on the go and also being able to store different datas as well in the same one device. Apples products are obviously consumers wants, but also is an exciting need that one can accessorize it according to their needs. Although Apple provides great products, consumer want to make a good decision based on the product they willpp purchase. They will be looking for the capacity of the product, looks, storage size, warranty, and most importantly price which is consider to be the biggest risk a customer takes when they make their decisions.
         Some factors that affect consumer decision making are personality, lifestyles, and attitude. According to external research, the decision making process can bepp individualistic or collectivistic. If is individualistic that an individual will buy the iPod is because of the products appeals, it includes problem solving, which the buyer will no longer use CD's players, instead it will be all store in one device. Apple has a personality focused on simplicity, emotions, imagination, lifestyle, innovation and passion. Based on whatp the iPod relates with its consumers is what makes the buyers an easy access to chose the type of product. Consumer decision making is mainly focused on how a customer views theirself as it relates to the product. The customers will search for information on the product and also will determine if the product is worth the price and value also if is good for the long run in their lifes.

Week 5- Developing a Global Vision.

           Apple is an international corporation currently operating and expanding its service available over 96 countries building overseas presence with Apple stores. Constructing a very successful company that has change the way technology is used worldwide. Apple is an  American company  which since few years after its launch, Apple started expanding and developing into a global market. Apple has achieved its strategy fit and succeeded its accommodate in many countries, providing the best customer service and customer value to attract more customers. Since Apple provides products that are well engaging today, with its advanced technology many people are attracted to the products and gain interest.
            Apple has developed a well understanding in the global vision, by providing well customer experience, providing products with their own country language and having people feel more comfortable with the products, and getting familiar with local culture, also establishing its branch in well developed countries. Since every country follows different cultures, Apple offers accommodates to people globally, with very modern stores, and welcoming. Apple offers training to workers, to fulfill the best customer services. Apple's simple and familiar logo has allow many countries to be able to recognize and identify the apple logo being Apple Inc.

           Apple global market has stretched out in the past few years because of the latest products introduced such as the iPod, iPad, and the iPhone. The new iPhone 4 has been sold in more than 88 countries around Europe and Asia being the fastest growing markets today and having populated cities. it is why Apple's overseas sales are very important, having 58% of its revenue from outside the American region in the latest quarter. The iPhone has become a global player and many analyst believe iPhone growth has peaked in the U.S. and strong triple-digit growth in Europe and Asia. Apple abroad and customer demand has grown in recent quarters. Reaching many demographic groups, such as students, professionals, generation Y and many more."The iPhone brought something new." said Stephane Richard, chief executive of France. Apple has amaze many people and attracted them with their products. Even though many of advanced countries such as Japan, France, Germany, and the U.K. has other smart phones, Apple still hit a high share in these high markets. Apple has said that over half of the 40 and 50 new stores it plans to open in the current fiscal year in cities such as London and Shanghai. Apple stores are a key part in major cities and is a global community affect that's quite powerful.