The brand that was CNN

CNN, which is Synonymous with cable news has in its first time ever dropped from the number one spot in ratings of cable news. It not only dropped from number one, but it sits at the number 3 spot behind Fox news and MSNBC. I know this has nothing to do with apparel or business, but it does relate to building a brand. Apparently the notion of Obama unifying our country is not true. People are still polarized on their political opinions. Fox news caters to conservative viewer who enjoy Bill Oreily and Sean Hannity, and MSNBC caters to more liberal viewers who share the same opinions as Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. The shows on Fox and MSNBC also have a much higher loyalty to their favorite TV personalities. This article, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jeEr_9iwtdieF9FQS0td-iGANTgQD976K4IG2, suggests that CNN is the fair and unpolarized option for news. Even though CNN has tried to position itself as unbiased amongst its competitors, I believe many news viewers see this station having a more liberal view. The past election was still very evenly split, and although Obama won because of independent support this mindset is still a minority. I see that political opinion in the US is a dichotomy. Fox news is the only option for conservative viewers and therefore it takes all the market share of those who hold more conservative views. Therefore MSNBC and CNN are splitting Liberals and Liberal moderates. I see MSNBC taken a bigger share of Leftists and CNN taking a bigger share of moderates. The article also points out that CNN is missing a TV personality that its competition have. Campell brown is competiting against Olbermann and Oreily. She also does not have the following that the others have. Her positioning of no biased and no bull is not taking her very far. CNN is going to need to find a better way to position itself as moderate or try and go for more of the liberal market share. I don't really have a solution, but I at least have noticed the problem.

Made in America

If there is anything that is nationalistic about me, it is that I find pride in products made in the US. I love the fact that they are made under stable and good working condidtions and that the flow of currency that is being spent on these garments stays within my own economy.

According to a new article on WWD men's apparel firms are seeing an increase in sales and market share. This is because we consumers are not only paying attention to the price of a product ,but also where it is being made. Perhaps we are looking out for one another and hoping that that shirt made by american apparel will save one more american job. http://origin.www.wwd.com/menswear-news/mens-firms-see-boost-by-being-made-in-usa-2074850?module=most_emailed

Jill sanders joins UNIQLO

I love the uniqlo brand. whenever i visit New York I have to take a trip to their SOHO store. The Japanese retailer is the eastern equivalent to the GAP. In my opinion they are way more innovative and fashion forward then the dieing american retailer. I am pleased to have read this article on WWD that German Designer Jill Sander is on board as UNIQLO's design team. I believe she will bring even more fashion oriented apparel to the retailer.
http://origin.www.wwd.com/fashion-news/jil-sander-said-to-take-on-design-role-at-uniqlo-2072975?module=most_emailed

A sign of improvement

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200903031517DOWJONESDJONLINE000697_FORTUNE5.htm

This recent article shows that there may be some positive news in the retail world. Same store sales are going to be up in February, compared to January. Most categories of retail are expected to do well. Walmart is the biggest winner, again. Target unfortunately is not seeing the same upward trend. They are looking to drop anywhere from 3-5 %. When push comes to shove people are going to choose price, and target cannot compete with Walmart's prices. I don't worry for target, i expect it to flourish again in the long run. I still refuse to shop at Walmart, and my budget is becoming thinner and thinner everyday.