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Ann Taylor: Survival in Specialty Retail"

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Established in 1956 by Robert Liebeskind, Ann Taylor, an upscale woman’s clothier began operation in New Harford Connecticut. Ann Taylor was established to cater to working women who wanted style and class to be their trademark. Ann Taylor or ANN is in the retail clothing industry. According to the ANN website, their purpose is to, “inspire and connect with women who put their best selves’ forward each day.” (Ann Taylor) Kay Krill, CEO of Ann Taylor states on their website that, “At ANN Inc. we share a profound commitment to our clients. For more than half a century, we have evolved with the needs of real women, who live full active lives. Our values are her values. We understand that a woman expresses herself by what she wears- at work, at home and at play.” (Ann Taylor) Ann Taylor has grown to encompass the markets of both work and leisure clothing for a discerning customer.
Porter’s Five Forces, states that there are five issues that affect the strength and viability of a business, the model developed by Michael Porter, identifies and analyzes five competitive forces that shape every industry, and helps determine an industry's weaknesses and strengths. The five forces are:
1. Competition in the industry
2. Potential of new entrants into industry
3. Power of suppliers
4. Power of customers
5. Threat of substitute products
The key issues in the competitive environment that affect ANN and its rivals are the threat of substitute products. The retail clothing industry is an extremely aggressive market that is continuously changing. Due to the ever-changing nature of the fashion industry consumers are extremely fickle in their choices for fashion. There is a tremendously high threat of product substitution. Ann Taylor primarily appeals to busy, socially stylish and educated women. Even Kay Krill, CEO of ANN could see the challenges the lay ahead for the

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