Target Markets

VALS uses a questionnaire to place consumers into eight segments. These segments are innovators, thinkers, believers, achievers, strivers, experiencers, makers, and survivors. The segments range from high resource/high innovation to low resources/low innovation. Motivation is categorized into ideals, achievements, and self-expression.

I took the VALS survey and these were my results: "Your primary VALS type is Experiencer, and your secondary type is Striver. The primary VALS type represents your dominant approach to life. The secondary classification represents a particular emphasis you give to your dominant approach."

I think these results are pretty much accurate. I always like to try/experience new things. I don't like my life to be the same everyday. As a student though it is hard to experience new things everyday when I have such a heavy course load. VALS says that experiencers spend most of their money on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. This is definetly true for me. I think that I am somewhat of a striver in the sense that I love meeting new people and to show people the skills I have learned. The part I do not relate to as a striver is I do not believe money is everything in life. I believe it is better to surround yourself with the people who care about you then to get rich and have no true friends.

http://www.sric-bi.com/VALS/types.shtml

Behind the scenes of J. Crew

J. Crew started out as a mail-order catalog and then expanded into what it is today. The first store opened in 1989, which ironically was the year I was born! The store opened in New York City. Today there are 206 retail stores. There are also 69 J. Crew outlets. As most retailers do, J. Crew has a website that was created during the year of 1996. The website includes a wide selection of styles and colors.

The current CEO of the company is Millard "Mickey" Drexler. He joined the company in January of 2003. Since he has been the CEO of the company he has set very high standards. J. Crew has nothing but the "finest fabrics, craftsmen and mills from Europe and the US." Drexler has brought new inspiration and creativity to the company. The company's headquarters are in Manhattan. J. Crew has distrbutions centers in Lynchburg, Virgnia and Asheville, NC.

Information from www.jcrew.com, www.wikipedia.org