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There are specialist markets for everything. I recently visited what is commonly called the Shanghai Pearl City. this is a multi-story mall of
pearl vendors, carrying an amazing array of pearls. The price range is almost unbelievably wide, sometimes sold in huge strands, and
some costly ones sold as single spheres.
Not knowing anything of pearls, I learned from the vendors that there are up to 1,000 types. Some come from the ocean, some from rivers
(they are cheaper). Japanese pearls look different from Chinese - even the area of the sea when they come from seems to affect their look.
The color, size and shape ranged widely. There were shoppers from around the world there looking for assortment and expertise from the
thirty or so vendors present.
Here is a selection of photos I took from my visit.
pearl vendors, carrying an amazing array of pearls. The price range is almost unbelievably wide, sometimes sold in huge strands, and
some costly ones sold as single spheres.
Not knowing anything of pearls, I learned from the vendors that there are up to 1,000 types. Some come from the ocean, some from rivers
(they are cheaper). Japanese pearls look different from Chinese - even the area of the sea when they come from seems to affect their look.
The color, size and shape ranged widely. There were shoppers from around the world there looking for assortment and expertise from the
thirty or so vendors present.
Here is a selection of photos I took from my visit.
In the past three years, one in five wine producers have chosen to place an image of
a animal on their label. This may be in imitation of the successful entry-grade wine
label, YellowTail. But according to The Journal of Consumer Research, there is
another reason.
People like products that feature images that they can identify with. Since wine is one of
the most mysterious of purchases, lowering our anxiety level about decision making
helps us feel comfortable about the purchase.
According to the article, “Whereas common branding wisdom suggests that identifiers
should be strongly associated with the product category, our findings suggest that it
may be beneficial to choose visual identifiers that consumers strongly associate with
themselves,” write the authors.
a animal on their label. This may be in imitation of the successful entry-grade wine
label, YellowTail. But according to The Journal of Consumer Research, there is
another reason.
People like products that feature images that they can identify with. Since wine is one of
the most mysterious of purchases, lowering our anxiety level about decision making
helps us feel comfortable about the purchase.
According to the article, “Whereas common branding wisdom suggests that identifiers
should be strongly associated with the product category, our findings suggest that it
may be beneficial to choose visual identifiers that consumers strongly associate with
themselves,” write the authors.
When was the last time you had a Hydrox? If you are like me, you have no idea. Just as I
had no idea that the brand had been taken off the market for several years.
Not only was Hydrox not a knock off of the Oreo, but in 1908, it was the first chocolate
sandwich cookie, produced by a company that became Sunshine Baking, eventually
bought by Kellogg. Nabiso's Oreo came four years later. Oreos were distinctive because
they were sweeter, and contain lard.
Some consumers preferred the Hydrox, because their filling was somewhat tangy, and
because there was no lard, they were kosher.
While Oreo was always supported by better promotional campaigns, Hydroz also suffered
from a more simple problem; the name sucked.
The original bakers thought that by combining the name for the elements of water,
hydrogen and oxygen, the cookie would seem pure-sounding. In retrospect, the name
better fitted a drain cleaner.
To make matters worse, Kellogg attempted to change the name to Droxies erasing even
the odd characteristics of the brand.
Since 2008 is the 100 year anniversary of the Hydrox cookie, it is being brought back for a
limited-time appearance in the supermarkets. Be sure to conduct a taste test.
had no idea that the brand had been taken off the market for several years.
Not only was Hydrox not a knock off of the Oreo, but in 1908, it was the first chocolate
sandwich cookie, produced by a company that became Sunshine Baking, eventually
bought by Kellogg. Nabiso's Oreo came four years later. Oreos were distinctive because
they were sweeter, and contain lard.
Some consumers preferred the Hydrox, because their filling was somewhat tangy, and
because there was no lard, they were kosher.
While Oreo was always supported by better promotional campaigns, Hydroz also suffered
from a more simple problem; the name sucked.
The original bakers thought that by combining the name for the elements of water,
hydrogen and oxygen, the cookie would seem pure-sounding. In retrospect, the name
better fitted a drain cleaner.
To make matters worse, Kellogg attempted to change the name to Droxies erasing even
the odd characteristics of the brand.
Since 2008 is the 100 year anniversary of the Hydrox cookie, it is being brought back for a
limited-time appearance in the supermarkets. Be sure to conduct a taste test.
Living near Philadelphia, I travel on US Air a lot. They have just
announced changes to their program - fees for booking with agents
and for reward travel, bags, etc. this is no surprise, given the terrible
financial shape the airlines are in, due mostly to energy costs.
But one change stands out. They will now charge $2 for any
non-alcoholic beverdge, (coffee, soda, juice, water). This is a mistake.
Yes, $2 for water is not high, relative to airport charges. But most
people will discover this charge in-flight, and be angry.
Eventually folks will carry on their own drinks, and just feel a little
worse about their carrier.
The fact is, airline tickets are too cheap to support the business.
Instead of adding $2 to a ticket for a drink, the airlines really need to
make up the $80 or so they lose, on average with every domestic
passenger today (between 10 and 15 cents per mile).
Tickets need to go up by $200 or so, and the travel experience needs
to become better, not worse. Someone will take a chance and do this.
If they improve service at the same time, they may be the first to pick up
profitable market share.
announced changes to their program - fees for booking with agents
and for reward travel, bags, etc. this is no surprise, given the terrible
financial shape the airlines are in, due mostly to energy costs.
But one change stands out. They will now charge $2 for any
non-alcoholic beverdge, (coffee, soda, juice, water). This is a mistake.
Yes, $2 for water is not high, relative to airport charges. But most
people will discover this charge in-flight, and be angry.
Eventually folks will carry on their own drinks, and just feel a little
worse about their carrier.
The fact is, airline tickets are too cheap to support the business.
Instead of adding $2 to a ticket for a drink, the airlines really need to
make up the $80 or so they lose, on average with every domestic
passenger today (between 10 and 15 cents per mile).
Tickets need to go up by $200 or so, and the travel experience needs
to become better, not worse. Someone will take a chance and do this.
If they improve service at the same time, they may be the first to pick up
profitable market share.
The latest Pixar film, Wall-E is amusing, if a bit long. A controversy seems to be developing about whether the almost
subliminal Apple references is good or bad.
Most famously, Wall-E has a start-up sound of the current Mac operating system, and watches old movies on an iPod, Eve,
the futuristic love interest looks like it came out of the Apple design labs (and in fact a chief Apple designer consulted on her
looks. White, seamless, no visible screws - sound familiar?
Less obvious is her own start-up sound (older Macs), a Mac keyboard in Wall-E's treasure troves, and Auto the Pilot
speaking in a Mac software voice.
So what is the big deal? None, really - compared to the blatant product placement you often see, Wall-E is almost a series of
inside jokes for Apple fans.
More importantly is the recognition of Apple's tremendous design influence. How many brands could be identified without
logos? A robot looks like an Apple product from a company that has built no robots?
The fact is that Apple's DNA is immediately identified with new and great design by the average person, and it stimulates a
positive, creative emotional feeling (as proven by recent studies). An amazing marketing achievement. Ad Age point out that
30% of Hollywood films features Apple computers in 2007. In 2008 the number is 50% so far!
Besides, what does Apple really have to do with Eve, anyway?
subliminal Apple references is good or bad.
Most famously, Wall-E has a start-up sound of the current Mac operating system, and watches old movies on an iPod, Eve,
the futuristic love interest looks like it came out of the Apple design labs (and in fact a chief Apple designer consulted on her
looks. White, seamless, no visible screws - sound familiar?
Less obvious is her own start-up sound (older Macs), a Mac keyboard in Wall-E's treasure troves, and Auto the Pilot
speaking in a Mac software voice.
So what is the big deal? None, really - compared to the blatant product placement you often see, Wall-E is almost a series of
inside jokes for Apple fans.
More importantly is the recognition of Apple's tremendous design influence. How many brands could be identified without
logos? A robot looks like an Apple product from a company that has built no robots?
The fact is that Apple's DNA is immediately identified with new and great design by the average person, and it stimulates a
positive, creative emotional feeling (as proven by recent studies). An amazing marketing achievement. Ad Age point out that
30% of Hollywood films features Apple computers in 2007. In 2008 the number is 50% so far!
Besides, what does Apple really have to do with Eve, anyway?
Would you pay more for milk at your door? If you live in Manhattan, you can
find that out, with Manhattenmilk. This company produces organic milk from
Amish country in Pennsylvania and delivers it to downtown NYC, just like
the old days.
The minimum order is $15, with a $5 delivery charge. That's why they're
doing this in Manhattan, not Milwaukee.
Will this retro approach appeal to convenience, quality, or nostalgia? Maybe
all three.
If successful, we may be looking forward to ice and seltzer delivery and
elevators operators. (Actually, I remember seltzer and pretzel deliveries in
my neighborhood - you could not beat soda waters from a heavy glass
bottle with a real high powered syphon. Wonder who I could call for that?
find that out, with Manhattenmilk. This company produces organic milk from
Amish country in Pennsylvania and delivers it to downtown NYC, just like
the old days.
The minimum order is $15, with a $5 delivery charge. That's why they're
doing this in Manhattan, not Milwaukee.
Will this retro approach appeal to convenience, quality, or nostalgia? Maybe
all three.
If successful, we may be looking forward to ice and seltzer delivery and
elevators operators. (Actually, I remember seltzer and pretzel deliveries in
my neighborhood - you could not beat soda waters from a heavy glass
bottle with a real high powered syphon. Wonder who I could call for that?