eMARKETING MIX FOR NEW BALANCE

Marketing Mix for New Balance

Marketing Mix for New Balance

Introduction to the Company

Founded by William Riley in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Company, in Belmont, MA, New Balance manufactured arch supports and orthopedic shoes. During the fifties and sixties, athletes turned to the company for customized running shoes due to New Balance's unique expertise in handcrafting specialized footwear. Paul Kidd bought the company in 1956 and increased the shoe-making sector as demand grew. Production of running shoes soon became the company's primary source of business. The New Balance "Trackster", one of the first running shoes made, grew very popular not only because of its technical innovation, but because it was available in a wide range of widths.

In 1972, New Balance was purchased by current Chairman and CEO, James (Jim) S. Davis. Four years later, the New Balance 320 running shoe was rated number one on the market, which launched the company into worldwide prominence. Since then, New Balance has diversified into making a complete range of athletic shoes for a variety of athletic activities.

Throughout the years New Balance has maintained the same principles it was founded upon: extensive width sizing, a commitment to domestic manufacturing, and leadership in technological innovation. Its Annual Sales for 2000 was Domestic $750 million and worldwide $1.1 billion.

New Balance Athletic shoe, INC. is the second-largest maker of running shoes in the America and has wide range of athletic footwear for males and females, athletic apparel and accessories. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc is an American private owned company, who has more than 2500 associates in the world and distributes the products in over 120 countries. The company has been running for over 30 years and has 12 wholly-owned subsidiaries and numerous licensees, joint ventures and distributors all over the globe, for instance, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada, Japan and South Africa. Its U.S. market share rose from 2% in 1997 to 12% in 2003.

In Australia, New Balance is not that popular and product ranges are not as wide as America and Asia. The sale distribution channels are poor for New Balance in Australia. It only has 2 exclusive shops in Sydney and few products that display by Foot Locker. The products that sell through Foot Lockers are mostly running shoes with basic features and poor appearance.

Trends and Issues in the Shoe Industry

New Balance currently into running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure sports, football and kids etc. In its new balance training shoes category, it will have its share in the major part in the business.

New Balance still owns much less market share compared to other competitors such as Nike, Adidas and Reebok. Hence, the challenge for market strategy will be how to obtain more market share through effective distribution channel and awareness. Moreover, according to the findings from our primary research, there is a huge demand for stylish shoes (Henry, 2007). Hence, it will be necessary to introduce more multi-purpose shoes with stylish features, as what Nike ...