Free TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? Case Study Solution | Assignment Help

MBA Staff Writer
Written by Gary F. Smith
Publish Date: 2024-11-03

Harvard Case - TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?

"TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?" Harvard business case study is written by Jim Lecinski, Helena Bouchez. It deals with the challenges in the field of Marketing. The case study is 22 page(s) long and it was first published on : Jun 23, 2022

At Fern Fort University, we recommend that TREW Gear leverage Amazon's platform to expand its reach and drive growth, while simultaneously building its own direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel. This strategy will allow TREW to capitalize on Amazon's vast customer base and established logistics network while maintaining control over its brand image and customer relationships. This approach will involve a multi-pronged strategy encompassing strategic product selection, targeted marketing, and a robust customer experience strategy.

2. Background

TREW Gear is a young, innovative outdoor apparel company based in Bozeman, Montana. Founded by a passionate group of outdoor enthusiasts, TREW has garnered a loyal following for its high-quality, functional, and stylish clothing. The company faces a significant challenge in scaling its business and reaching a wider audience. While its direct-to-consumer website generates sales, it struggles to compete with larger, established brands on a national scale.

The case study focuses on the company's decision to explore Amazon as a potential growth channel. The main protagonists are:

  • Tim Blixseth: TREW's founder and CEO, passionate about the brand and its mission.
  • Matt Blixseth: Tim's brother and TREW's COO, focused on operational efficiency and profitability.
  • The TREW Team: Dedicated to creating high-quality outdoor apparel and growing the brand.

3. Analysis of the Case Study

This case study presents a classic dilemma faced by many small businesses: how to balance growth with brand control. To analyze this situation, we can apply a framework that considers both internal and external factors:

Internal Analysis:

  • Strengths:
    • Strong brand identity and loyal customer base.
    • High-quality, innovative products.
    • Dedicated and passionate team.
    • Strong focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
  • Weaknesses:
    • Limited marketing budget.
    • Lack of brand awareness outside its core customer base.
    • Limited resources for large-scale distribution and logistics.
    • Dependence on a single sales channel (direct-to-consumer).

External Analysis:

  • Opportunities:
    • Growing demand for outdoor apparel.
    • Increasing popularity of online shopping.
    • Amazon's vast customer base and established logistics network.
    • Potential for brand expansion into new product categories.
  • Threats:
    • Intense competition from established brands.
    • Price pressure from online retailers.
    • Potential for brand dilution on Amazon.
    • Dependence on Amazon's platform and policies.

SWOT Analysis: This analysis highlights that TREW has a strong foundation but needs to address weaknesses and capitalize on opportunities to achieve sustainable growth.

Marketing Analysis:

  • Target Market: Outdoor enthusiasts, active individuals, and fashion-conscious consumers who value quality and sustainability.
  • Marketing Strategy: TREW's marketing strategy should focus on building brand awareness, engaging with the target audience, and driving sales through a multi-channel approach.
  • Brand Positioning: TREW should position itself as a premium, sustainable outdoor apparel brand that offers high-quality, functional, and stylish products.

Financial Analysis:

  • Pricing Strategy: TREW needs to carefully consider its pricing strategy on Amazon to remain competitive while maintaining profitability.
  • Cost Structure: The company should analyze its cost structure to identify areas for optimization and ensure profitability on Amazon.
  • Growth Metrics: TREW should track key metrics such as sales growth, customer acquisition cost, and customer lifetime value to measure the effectiveness of its Amazon strategy.

Product Analysis:

  • Product Selection: TREW should carefully select products for Amazon based on market demand, profitability, and brand alignment.
  • Product Differentiation: The company should highlight its unique features and benefits to differentiate itself from competitors on Amazon.
  • Product Lifecycle Management: TREW should monitor product performance on Amazon and adjust its product portfolio accordingly.

4. Recommendations

TREW should implement a multi-pronged strategy to leverage Amazon's platform for growth while maintaining brand control:

1. Amazon Strategy:

  • Strategic Product Selection: Focus on high-demand, profitable products that align with TREW's brand identity and target market.
  • Pricing Strategy: Offer competitive pricing while maintaining profitability. Consider Amazon's 'Fulfillment by Amazon' (FBA) program to streamline logistics and potentially offer Prime eligibility.
  • Marketing and Advertising: Utilize Amazon's advertising platform to reach a wider audience and drive sales. Experiment with different ad formats and targeting options.
  • Customer Experience: Provide excellent customer service, respond promptly to inquiries, and address any issues efficiently.

2. Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Strategy:

  • Website Enhancement: Improve the user experience on TREW's website, optimize for search engines, and offer seamless online shopping.
  • Content Marketing: Create engaging content that showcases TREW's brand story, products, and values. Utilize social media platforms to connect with customers.
  • Email Marketing: Build an email list and use targeted email campaigns to nurture customer relationships and promote new products.
  • Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program to reward repeat customers and encourage brand advocacy.

3. Brand Management:

  • Brand Consistency: Maintain a consistent brand message and image across all channels, including Amazon.
  • Brand Storytelling: Share TREW's story and values with customers to build emotional connections and foster brand loyalty.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Invest in a CRM system to manage customer data, personalize communications, and enhance customer experience.

4. Innovation and Product Development:

  • Product Innovation: Continuously develop new products that meet evolving customer needs and market trends.
  • Sustainability: Maintain a commitment to sustainable practices throughout the product development and manufacturing processes.
  • Technology Integration: Explore the use of AI and machine learning to optimize product development, marketing, and customer service.

5. Basis of Recommendations

These recommendations are based on the following considerations:

  1. Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: Leveraging Amazon's platform aligns with TREW's growth objectives while maintaining its commitment to high-quality, sustainable products and brand values.
  2. External Customers and Internal Clients: The strategy addresses the needs of both external customers seeking convenient access to TREW's products and internal clients (TREW team) seeking growth and profitability.
  3. Competitors: The strategy acknowledges the competitive landscape and aims to differentiate TREW through its brand identity, product quality, and customer experience.
  4. Attractiveness: The strategy is expected to drive significant sales growth, increase brand awareness, and enhance profitability.

Assumptions:

  • TREW can successfully adapt its products and pricing strategy for Amazon's platform.
  • Amazon's platform will continue to grow and provide a valuable channel for reaching new customers.
  • TREW can maintain its brand identity and values while selling on Amazon.

6. Conclusion

By implementing a strategic approach that leverages Amazon's platform while building a robust direct-to-consumer channel, TREW Gear can achieve sustainable growth while maintaining brand control. This strategy will allow the company to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the online marketplace while staying true to its core values and customer base.

7. Discussion

Alternatives not selected:

  • Solely relying on Amazon: This approach would risk brand dilution and dependence on Amazon's platform.
  • Abandoning Amazon: This would limit TREW's potential for growth and reach.

Risks:

  • Brand Dilution: TREW needs to carefully manage its brand image on Amazon to avoid dilution.
  • Competition: The competitive landscape on Amazon is intense, and TREW needs to differentiate itself to succeed.
  • Dependence on Amazon: TREW should not become overly reliant on Amazon and should continue to develop its own D2C channel.

Key Assumptions:

  • TREW's products will resonate with Amazon's customer base.
  • TREW can successfully manage its logistics and fulfillment on Amazon.
  • Amazon's platform will remain a viable growth channel for TREW.

8. Next Steps

  1. Develop a detailed Amazon strategy: This should include product selection, pricing, marketing, and customer service plans.
  2. Create a dedicated team: This team should be responsible for managing TREW's Amazon presence.
  3. Launch a pilot program: Start with a limited product selection on Amazon to test the waters and gather data.
  4. Monitor performance: Track key metrics to measure the effectiveness of the Amazon strategy.
  5. Continuously improve: Based on performance data, refine the Amazon strategy and make adjustments as needed.

By taking these steps, TREW Gear can successfully leverage Amazon's platform to drive growth while maintaining brand control and achieving its long-term objectives.

Hire an expert to write custom solution for HBR Marketing case study - TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?

more similar case solutions ...

Case Description

Chris Pew, an expert backcountry skier, was a founder and the CEO of 12-year-old TREW Gear, a premium niche brand for technical backcountry ski apparel. TREW Gear's products--snow bibs, jackets, pants, and accessories--were selling well through independent and specialty retailers and direct to consumers on trewgear.com. Heavy on Pew's mind, however, was how to continue growing the business, particularly the question of whether he should start selling TREW products on Amazon.com. Would TREW's presence on the behemoth US-based e-commerce platform help the company grow, long-term? Shorter-term, would selling on Amazon deliver the 20% increase in revenues his investors wanted to see by the end of the year? And if Amazon wasn't the best choice, what distribution strategy should he embrace?

🎓 Struggling with term papers, essays, or Harvard case studies? Look no further! Fern Fort University offers top-quality, custom-written solutions tailored to your needs. Boost your grades and save time with expertly crafted content. Order now and experience academic excellence! 🌟📚 #MBA #HarvardCaseStudies #CustomEssays #AcademicSuccess #StudySmart Write my custom case study solution for Harvard HBR case - TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?

Hire an expert to write custom solution for HBR Marketing case study - TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?

TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? FAQ

What are the qualifications of the writers handling the "TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?" case study?

Our writers hold advanced degrees in their respective fields, including MBAs and PhDs from top universities. They have extensive experience in writing and analyzing complex case studies such as " TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? ", ensuring high-quality, academically rigorous solutions.

How do you ensure confidentiality and security in handling client information?

We prioritize confidentiality by using secure data encryption, access controls, and strict privacy policies. Apart from an email, we don't collect any information from the client. So there is almost zero risk of breach at our end. Our financial transactions are done by Paypal on their website so all your information is very secure.

What is Fern Fort Univeristy's process for quality control and proofreading in case study solutions?

The TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? case study solution undergoes a rigorous quality control process, including multiple rounds of proofreading and editing by experts. We ensure that the content is accurate, well-structured, and free from errors before delivery.

Where can I find free case studies solution for Harvard HBR Strategy Case Studies?

At Fern Fort University provides free case studies solutions for a variety of Harvard HBR case studies. The free solutions are written to build "Wikipedia of case studies on internet". Custom solution services are written based on specific requirements. If free solution helps you with your task then feel free to donate a cup of coffee.

I’m looking for Harvard Business Case Studies Solution for TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?. Where can I get it?

You can find the case study solution of the HBR case study "TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?" at Fern Fort University.

Can I Buy Case Study Solution for TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? & Seek Case Study Help at Fern Fort University?

Yes, you can order your custom case study solution for the Harvard business case - "TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?" at Fern Fort University. You can get a comprehensive solution tailored to your requirements.

Can I hire someone only to analyze my TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? solution? I have written it, and I want an expert to go through it.

🎓 Struggling with term papers, essays, or Harvard case studies? Look no further! Fern Fort University offers top-quality, custom-written solutions tailored to your needs. Boost your grades and save time with expertly crafted content. Order now and experience academic excellence! 🌟📚 #MBA #HarvardCaseStudies #CustomEssays #AcademicSuccess #StudySmart Pay an expert to write my HBR study solution for the case study - TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?

Where can I find a case analysis for Harvard Business School or HBR Cases?

You can find the case study solution of the HBR case study "TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?" at Fern Fort University.

Which are some of the all-time best Harvard Review Case Studies?

Some of our all time favorite case studies are -

Can I Pay Someone To Solve My Case Study - "TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?"?

Yes, you can pay experts at Fern Fort University to write a custom case study solution that meets all your professional and academic needs.

Do I have to upload case material for the case study TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? to buy a custom case study solution?

We recommend to upload your case study because Harvard HBR case studies are updated regularly. So for custom solutions it helps to refer to the same document. The uploading of specific case materials for TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? ensures that the custom solution is aligned precisely with your needs. This helps our experts to deliver the most accurate, latest, and relevant solution.

What is a Case Research Method? How can it be applied to the TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth? case study?

The Case Research Method involves in-depth analysis of a situation, identifying key issues, and proposing strategic solutions. For "TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?" case study, this method would be applied by examining the case’s context, challenges, and opportunities to provide a robust solution that aligns with academic rigor.

"I’m Seeking Help with Case Studies,” How can Fern Fort University help me with my case study assignments?

Fern Fort University offers comprehensive case study solutions, including writing, analysis, and consulting services. Whether you need help with strategy formulation, problem-solving, or academic compliance, their experts are equipped to assist with your assignments.

Achieve academic excellence with Fern Fort University! 🌟 We offer custom essays, term papers, and Harvard HBR business case studies solutions crafted by top-tier experts. Experience tailored solutions, uncompromised quality, and timely delivery. Elevate your academic performance with our trusted and confidential services. Visit Fern Fort University today! #AcademicSuccess #CustomEssays #MBA #CaseStudies

How do you handle tight deadlines for case study solutions?

We are adept at managing tight deadlines by allocating sufficient resources and prioritizing urgent projects. Our team works efficiently without compromising quality, ensuring that even last-minute requests are delivered on time

What if I need revisions or edits after receiving the case study solution?

We offer free revisions to ensure complete client satisfaction. If any adjustments are needed, our team will work closely with you to refine the solution until it meets your expectations.

How do you ensure that the case study solution is plagiarism-free?

All our case study solutions are crafted from scratch and thoroughly checked using advanced plagiarism detection software. We guarantee 100% originality in every solution delivered

How do you handle references and citations in the case study solutions?

We follow strict academic standards for references and citations, ensuring that all sources are properly credited according to the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Hire an expert to write custom solution for HBR Marketing case study - TREW Gear: Is Amazon the Trail to Growth?

Top Sellers

Referrences & Bibliography for SWOT Analysis | SWOT Matrix | Strategic Management

1. Andrews, K. R. (1980). The concept of corporate strategy. Harvard Business Review, 61(3), 139-148.

2. Ansoff, H. I. (1957). Strategies for diversification. Harvard Business Review, 35(5), 113-124.

3. Brandenburger, A. M., & Nalebuff, B. J. (1995). The right game: Use game theory to shape strategy. Harvard Business Review, 73(4), 57-71.

4. Christensen, C. M., & Raynor, M. E. (2003). Why hard-nosed executives should care about management theory. Harvard Business Review, 81(9), 66-74.

5. Christensen, C. M., & Raynor, M. E. (2003). The innovator's solution: Creating and sustaining successful growth. Harvard Business Review Press.

6. D'Aveni, R. A. (1994). Hypercompetition: Managing the dynamics of strategic maneuvering. Harvard Business Review Press.

7. Ghemawat, P. (1991). Commitment: The dynamic of strategy. Harvard Business Review, 69(2), 78-91.

8. Ghemawat, P. (2002). Competition and business strategy in historical perspective. Business History Review, 76(1), 37-74.

9. Hamel, G., & Prahalad, C. K. (1990). The core competence of the corporation. Harvard Business Review, 68(3), 79-91.

10. Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1992). The balanced scorecard--measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review, 70(1), 71-79.

11. Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2004). Blue ocean strategy. Harvard Business Review, 82(10), 76-84.

12. Kotter, J. P. (1995). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 73(2), 59-67.

13. Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B., & Lampel, J. (2008). Strategy safari: A guided tour through the wilds of strategic management. Harvard Business Press.

14. Porter, M. E. (1979). How competitive forces shape strategy. Harvard Business Review, 57(2), 137-145.

15. Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Simon and Schuster.

16. Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.

17. Prahalad, C. K., & Hamel, G. (1990). The core competence of the corporation. Harvard Business Review, 68(3), 79-91.

18. Rumelt, R. P. (1979). Evaluation of strategy: Theory and models. Strategic Management Journal, 1(1), 107-126.

19. Rumelt, R. P. (1984). Towards a strategic theory of the firm. Competitive Strategic Management, 556-570.

20. Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509-533.