Analysis of Retail Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Analysis of Retail Management - Assignment Example Thus the company is dedicated to providing high-quality footwear and value for money for the professionals, young and fashionable women who follow the trends according to their lifestyle needs. b) Examine how each of the four (4) components contributes to its retail atmosphere to attract the target market identified with Question 1(a). Retailing is a visible industry and the interface which exists in between the customers and the business provides the retailer with many advantages. Many of the retailers across the globe have become essential to people in day to day living and the retailers are very keen to strengthen the relationship between individuals and stores and gain customer loyalty. A retailer’s most important task is to keep their image favorable in the minds of the target customers. Therefore in the formation of image many components are to be taken into consideration, the environment and the store plays a big role in the formation of the image in the retail outlets (Varley, 2006, p. 169). In other words, the atmosphere plays an important role to attract the customers and develop an image in the customer's mind. The atmosphere is termed as the summation of the physical attributes both in-store and out of the store of the retailer which helps to draw customers and helps in the development of the brand image. Atmosphere affects the customer’s mood, target market, time spent in the store, induces impulse purchase and positioning of the retailer and relates with the strategy chosen by the retail outlet (Evans & Berman, 2003, p. 490). The basic four component of retail atmosphere includes the following, Exterior: The element which comprises of exterior includes the storefronts, entrances, the marquee, visibility of the store, display windows, the design of the stores, the surrounding areas. The exteriors are as important as the interiors which help to define space and the exterior of the space provides with the public interface. The outside s hould reflect the inside as retail stores exterior are a tent to the new and potential customer who tends to judge the sore through its appearance and might not enter if they do not like it or find it attractive enough. The exterior of Charles & Keith, Singapore contains all the elements to attract the target customers. One of the stores of Charles & Keith is located at Anchor point Shopping Mall based on Alexandra Road and provides ample parking areas for visitors (Frasers, 2008). The open entrance is accessible and inviting and helps to break down the barriers in between the stores and exteriors. The lobby increases the proportion of window display and invites the shoppers to enter the retail outlet. Figure 1 shows the mall of Charles & Keith as a part of the exteriors Figure 1: Anchor point Mall General interior: general interiors comprises of elements like flooring, scents, lighting, colors, and others. It should be able to provide the customers with a comfortable and a safe env ironment by applying the perfect color schemes along with the materials, lighting, and others. The interiors of Charles & Keith are well designed with the soothing environment, proper lighting, light color and well display of shoes, accessories, and bags.  

Anthropology :: Anthropological Culture Essays

Anthropology Works Cited Missing Anthropology is a discipline studying flux and change in human communities and definitions of identity, mirroring the dynamic play of modernist reconceptualizations of meaning. As an academic discipline, anthropology demands a realization of the interconnectedness between human groups, a heightened abstraction of vocabulary and tools with which to articulate these connections, and self reflexive sensitivity to its history. In this same vein, modernism, as a movement of avant-garde ideas and art forms, draws community to study of itself, demands its own vocabulary of critique, and harkens back to the history of events that prompted the movement. Perhaps the clearest reflection of modernity in anthropology is found in dynamic cities and the birth of â€Å"industrial mass societies† (Rodrigues and Garratt 94). Just as modernist ideas were stimulated by rivers â€Å"of images and sounds jostling for attention† in the city, so to did this urban growth invigorate modern anthropology (33). Pursuing new forms of recording field work and transcending common modes of thought, modern anthropologists enjoy a veritable playground of new anthropological themes and circumstances. Evolving consumer items, fashions and entertainment demand an exponential reconfiguration of vocabulary to fit new inventions of community and individual identity. Methods of describing human beings through enhancing quantitative data and statistical information create more distinct categories of people, and provoke internal deconstructions of purpose and intention in field work. Reconfigurations of self within city communities blooms with exposure to different systems of living and thinking. In these reconfigurations, anthropology confronts the â€Å"glaring blind spots† of gender and race representations within the discipline, as modernity did through post-modernism (128). Today, women and minorities are anthropologists vital to the field, and anthropologists embrace a fuller reconceptualizing of their own identity in political-economic and socially roles. Self-reflexive, anthropologists reinterpret their motives within new communities again and again, just as modernist artists challenge audiences to reinterpret assumptions and motives of art, music and literature.

Adolescent Sexual Behavior Essay

Introduction Adolescent sexual behavior refers to sexual feelings, behavior, and development in adolescents. It is a stage of human sexuality. The sexual behavior of adolescents is influenced by their culture’s norms and mores, their sexual orientation and the issues of social control. Sexuality is a cultural issue. For humans, sex is a matter of cultural meaning and personal choice than biological programming. Costs and Benefits of Sexual Behavior According to a 2004 study, the rates of adolescent sexual intercourse and birth rates to teenagers in the United States have declined, but a majority of adolescents have been engaging in sexual intercourse before completing high school. 42% of high school students did not use a condom during their last sexual encounter and 14% engaged in sexual activity with approximately four partners. Reducing adolescent sexual activity and the risk for sexually transmitted diseases is a priority under Healthy People 2010, a set of health objectives for the nation to achieve over the first decade of the new century. (Deptula, Shoeny, Slavick, 35) Studies show that there is a link between sexual attitudes and sexual behavior. Attitudes are related to condom use and sexual activity is for both younger and older adolescents. Not surprisingly, high school students reported that positive attitudes toward sex were related to engagement in sexual activity. It was particularly concerning sexual pleasure. Worries about pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections were related to condom use. Theories suggest that attitudes are a key part in the process of making behavioral decisions. The Health Belief Model, a psychological model that attempts to explain and predict health behaviors, is determined by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individual. The Decisional Balance model postulates that behavioral decisions are made by assessing and comparing relative gains or losses associated with behavioral engagement. The factors include: costs for the individual and  significant others as well as approval from oneself and significant others. In a study that examined the Costs and Benefits of condom use it was found that the ratings for perceived behavioral costs of protection remained constant over time while perceived benefits of birth control and condom use were associated with behavior change. (Deptula, Shoeny, Slavick, 35) The relation between attitudes and sexual decision-making may also be influenced by the impact of demographic factors such as age, gender, and religion, on attitudes. Boys had more positive attitudes towards sex than girls and girls had more positive views of abstinence. Males also had more liberal attitudes towards premarital casual sex and anxiety, fear and guilt concerning sexuality. They were also more likely to report greater benefits associated with sexual activities than females. Despite the gender differences in attitudes, the beliefs that each held are important predictors for both males and females. Attitudes towards sex become more positive with age and the gender differences in attitudes decreased with age. When an analyses conducted to determine is attitudes words sexual activity were majorly associated with engaging in sexual behavior, it was revealed that adolescents who had never engaged in sexual activity reported more cost associated with intercourse and fewer benefits compared to those who were sexually active. Engagement in sexual activity was linked to a perception of lower costs and greater benefits for intercourse. The primary purpose of the study was to determine which two aspects of attitudes, cost and benefits, predicted parallel and future sexual activity. The effects of costs were equivalent, if not stronger than benefits. The study also suggested that the perception of costs and benefits were both influential in adolescents’ decisions to engage in sexual activity. Based on the theory of Decisional Balance, it is expected that adolescents who decided to engage in sexual activity would report fewer costs and greater benefits associated with having sex, which is somewhat supported by the study. When the likelihood of intercourse was 50%, the awareness of costs was greater than the awareness of benefits. It appears that although  costs still outweigh benefits, adolescents still engage in sexual activity, suggesting that there are other factors that play a role in the decision to have sex. (Deptula, Shoeny, Slavick, 41) The results of the studies have important suggestions for prevention. The start of sexual activity was predicted by both costs and benefits attitudes. Perception of costs was slightly more influential than benefits in prediction later sexual initiation. It is suggested that both of those dimensions be targeted in order to successfully delay adolescent engagement in sexual activity. In studying the costs, it was revealed that its main focus was on teenage pregnancy. The benefits included social status, personal pleasure and interpersonal connection. The study also revealed that females with high cognitive abilities reports more benefits associated with sex while males with lower cognitive abilities reported fewer costs. The Way Teens Define Sex There is certainly a divide between the teenagers of today and generations before them. The divide has to do with what each generation considers to be sex. According to research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of 15- to 19-year olds are engaging in oral sex. Adults say that is a form of sex, but teenagers do not see it that way. A 19-year old sophomore in college stated, â€Å"For most teens, the only form of sex is penetration, and anything else doesn’t count. You can have oral sex and be a virgin,† while most adults consider oral sex as something that is extremely intimate. Sarah Brown, director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy said, â€Å"What we’re learning here is that adolescents are redefining what is intimate.† Teenagers view oral sex as something that is quite casual so it doesn’t need to be done while in a relationship. (Jayson, 1) Psychologist David Walsh stated that the brain is wired to develop intense physical and emotional attraction during the teenage years as a part of the maturing process and he is disturbed by the way that the media portrays casual sex because it gives teenagers a false image on true intimacy. (Jayson, 2) When a parent discovers that their child in engaging in oral sex, they aren’t sure what to think because of the way that teens are so nonchalant about it and parents weren’t usually doing that as teenagers. This could also be due to the fact that many parents do not believe that their child is the one who engages in such things. The definition of abstinence is changing as well. Everyone has a different definition of sexual abstinence. The most common meaning of sexual abstinence is not having any type of sexual intercourse. Abstinence is often linked with how recently a sexual behavior has occurred. If a certain sexual activity did not occur recently, many teens would describe themselves as abstinent, regardless of their sexual history, while others still define it as not doing anything sexual. It just depends on who you are. The Media’s Influence on Sexual Behavior The mass media is becoming the easiest way for young people to learn about sexual behavior and see it as well. Perhaps it is so influential because the teenage years are when we develop our own sexual beliefs and behaviors and parents are very reluctant to talk about sexual issues. The average adolescent spends six to seven hours using media ranging from television to books. That number could be higher by now because most adolescents now have televisions, computers, DVD players and some sort of audio system in their rooms and other parts of their homes besides their living rooms. Much of the media that adolescents are exposed to include sexual imagery but rarely portray consequences of risky sexual encounters or healthy sexual messages. Many health professionals believe that mass media content showing casual sex with no consequences has resulted in a host of negative behaviors among teens who may be persuaded that teen sexual activity is something â€Å"everyone† does.(Hart, 4) Although data shows that adolescents use media very frequently, mass media influences are rarely included as important contexts for adolescents’ sexual socialization. Researchers suggest that media influences showed consistent and significant  association with early adolescent sexual intentions and behaviors. Being male was associated with greater sexual intentions and activity. No religious variable in the study was associated with sexual intentions of behaviors. Perceived sexual permission from the media was also associated with sexual intentions, light sexual activity, and heavy sexual activity. (L’Engle, Brown, Kenneavy, 191) The findings of the study also showed that adolescents who are exposed to more sexual content in their media diets are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse in the near future. The media serves as a â€Å"super peer† for adolescents who wish to seek information about sexuality because it is easily accessible. It has also been said that the information that they receive from the media is different from what they learn from other sexual socialization agents such as parents, school and religion. Media programming rarely shows negative consequences from sexual behavior and depictions of condom and contraception use are very rare, making media users more likely to act the way that they see characters acting because they are seen as realistic and they are not punished for their behavior, making these behaviors convincing to adolescents. (L’Engle, Brown, Kenneavy, 191) Trends and Estimates of Sexual Activity Before getting into the details we must distinguish between sexually experienced and sexually active. Sexually experienced is a teenager who has had sexual intercourse at least once in his/her lifetime. A sexually active teenager is one who has had sexual intercourse in the past three months. The earlier an adolescent has sex, the longer he or she is at risk of pregnancy and contracting an STI. In 2002, approximately one-quarter of never married teenagers has had sexual intercourse before the age of 16. The number increased as age did. Some adolescents who have not engaged in sexual intercourse have engaged in oral sex.(Terry-Humen, Manlove, Cottingham, 3) Since many teenagers do not consider oral sex to be sexual activity, they probably do not concern themselves with the risks of this behavior. Due to  the fact that not many teenage relationships are long term, not all sexually experienced teenagers remain sexually active or are consistently sexually active. Those who are consistently sexually active put themselves at risk for pregnancy and contracting an STI each time they have sex or have sex with a new partner. (Terry-Humen, Manlove, Cottingham, 3) Being in a relationship that teenagers view as romantic is associated with a greater likelihood of having sex. Teenagers with older sexual partners are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse than those with similar age partners. Females are more likely to be in a steady relationship when they have sex for the first time. (Terry-Humen, Manlove, Cottingham, 4) In order to continue with having declines in teen pregnancy and lower the rising rates of STIs, it is suggested that messages of abstinence be reinforced, encourage teenagers to reduce the frequency of sexual activity and partners, educate them about the risks of oral sex, and expand interventions to high-risk populations, such as minority groups. (Terry-Humen, Manlove, Cottingham, 7) Conclusion When it comes to predicting later sexual activity, both Costs and Benefits are important, although attitudes concerning the costs were a bit more influential in predicting sexual activity. It is suggested that both Costs and Benefits be included to hinder sexual activity. Due to the way that every different generation was raised, the way in which we define sex is different to everyone. Baby-boomers see oral sex as something that is very intimate while teenagers see oral sex as something that is casual. The way in which some teenagers behave can end up hurting them in the future because they will not know how to have a long-lasting, healthy relationship. Adolescents who are exposed to sexual content in the media and obtain greater support from the media that is related to sexual behavior have greater intentions to engage in sexual intercourse and other sexual activities. The most obvious ways for teenagers to avoid STIs and unintended teenage pregnancy and childbearing is by delaying sexual initiation or reducing the sexual activity and number of sexual partners as well as improving contraceptive use of those who are sexually active. My Take In my opinion, I think that it’s great that people are trying to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and STIs in teenagers. I don’t believe that a person should have to be abstinent until marriage or anything like that and I believe that contraception should be used at all times. It is very alarming that kids are having sex at younger ages. I’m with a lot of teens that say that oral sex is not really sex and I think it is due to the time period I’m growing up in. We’re desensitized to these things. I think that it’s important for parents to talk to their kids about sex, even though we probably know more than they think. Many kids I know, as well as myself, surprise our parents with how much we know about sex already because things were different when they were younger. Everything was more hush, hush then. The media is definitely a huge influence on the way that we live our lives today because sex is everywhere and it’s what sells.

Bill Gates and How the World Was Effected by His...

Bill Gates How he effected the world with his accomplishments William Bill Gates III was born on October 28, 1955. He accomplished many unbelievable things, and highly influenced the people around him in many ways. In University, Bill Gates was known to be the smart computer nerd, who totally amazed all of his friends with his knowledge. One of the people that he had influenced the most was Steve Ballmer, current Microsoft s Chief Executive Officer, whose room was down the hall from Bill s. Not only were his roommates amazed by his accomplishments, but also were the people at IBM. They were in desperate need of a DOS operating system, which would be used on millions of computers around the world. IBM decided to employ Bill s†¦show more content†¦The trial is under way. Whoever wins, Gates will still be the No. 1 man in the industry. Part of Microsoft s success in creating a positive change in the computer market is creating better computer software than anyone else, says Time Magazine, Today Microsoft is the world s most powerful sup plier of Web browsers, and Gates really has it made. More importantly, Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, founded a large charity foundation. Also, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an endowment of more than $17 billion, is now the wealthiest in the United States. Their approach was to make a change in needy children s lives, and try their best to give them the stuff that they were lacking, such as: clothes, schooling, food, etc. Becoming the second richest man in the world is one thing, however, giving back to the community what it has given to you is even more remarkable. Bill Gates indeed is one of the most remarkable figures of the century, because beside attempted to create a change in the middle and upper-class lives, he is also attempting to give an opportunity to the lower-class children who have very little hope. The products of Microsoft were not completely produced by Bill Gates, the genius himself. Although Microsoft Windows was his idea, and he did a fair b it of it, many other intelligent programmers apart of Microsoft were on the Windows programming team as well. Bill Gates did not need to do all of theShow MoreRelated Bill Gates and how the world was effected by his accomplishments1166 Words   |  5 Pages Bill Gates How he effected the world with his accomplishments nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;William Bill Gates III was born on October 28, 1955. He accomplished many unbelievable things, and highly influenced the people around him in many ways. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In University, Bill Gates was known to be the â€Å"smart computer nerd,† who totally amazed all of his friends with his knowledge. One of the people that he had influenced the most was Steve Ballmer, current Microsoft’s Chief ExecutiveRead MoreArticle: Performance Appraisal and Performance Management35812 Words   |  144 Pagesdecade. Many organizations have shifted from employee’s performance appraisal system to employee’s performance management system. This paper has focused to study the evolution of employee’s performance appraisal system, critics the system suffered and how the performance management system came to the practice. The main purpose of this paper is to differentiate these two systems, employee’s performance appraisal and management system. This paper uses a review of the literature to evaluate the developmentRead MoreMaster Thesis Logistics Management in Retail Industry26467 Words   |  106 Page sunderstand and investigate how 7-Eleven company manages its logistics activities, distribution and applying information technology to achieve competitive advantages. Purpose: The purpose of thesis is, in retailing industry and retailing convenience store’s perspective, to identify and describe the way 7-Eleven manages and operates its retail convenience business focusing on several aspects; strategic fits, distribution and IT, which support 7-Eleven’s activities and how they contribute to competitiveRead MoreExploring Corporate Strategy - Case164366 Words   |  658 Pages22/10/2007 11:54 Page 599 Guide to using the case studies The main text of this book includes 87 short illustrations and 15 case examples which have been chosen to enlarge speciï ¬ c issues in the text and/or provide practical examples of how business and public sector organisations are managing strategic issues. The case studies which follow allow the reader to extend this linking of theory and practice further by analysing the strategic issues of speciï ¬ c organisations in much greater depthRead MoreSda Manual Essay101191 Words   |  405 PagesPrepare Letter ............................................................ Alternative Method for Membership Transfer ......................... Membership During Interval of Transfer ................................. Receiving of Members Disturbed by World Conditions ........... Counted in Statistical Reports .................................................. If Member Is Not Accepted ....................................................... No Letters to Members Under Discipline ............. ........Read MoreLibrary Management204752 Words   |  820 Pages. . . . . . . . . . 311 Vroom’s Expectancy Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Behavior Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 Goal-Setting Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 How Should Managers Motivate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 14—Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 What Is LeadershipRead MoreReport on Oil and Gas Industry in Pakistan81517 Words   |  327 PagesReport No. 26072-PK Pakistan: Oil and Gas Sector Review July 10, 2003 Oil and Gas Policy Division Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals Department Private Sector Development and Infrastructure Document of the World Bank Currency Equivalents Currency Unit = Rupees (Rs) Rs. 1.00 = Paisa 100 US$1.00 = Rs. 58.35 * Rs. 1.0 = US$0.017138 Rs. 1,000,000 = US$17,138 *As of December 31, 2002 Measures And Equivalents 1 Kilometer (km) 1 Cubic Meter (m3) 1 Cubic Meter (m3) 1 Thousand Cubic FeetRead MoreStrategic Marketing Management337596 Words   |  1351 PagesStrategic Marketing Management Dedication This book is dedicated to the authors’ wives – Gillian and Rosie – and to Ben Gilligan for their support while it was being written. Acknowledgements Our thanks go to Janice Nunn for all the effort that she put in to the preparation of the manuscript. Strategic Marketing Management Planning, implementation and control Third edition Richard M.S. Wilson Emeritus Professor of Business Administration The Business School Loughborough University