A Perfect Marriage
No, I'm not talking about cranberry and vodka. I'm talking about the idea that there is such a thing as a perfect marriage.
TJX acquired Sierra Trading Post two weeks ago, in a 2012-year-ending move that makes me think we should expect good things to come from these two silent ships moving swiftly in step for the beach of eCommerce meets affordable retail chain operations. During tough times, the toughest of us go shopping. That's a fact. And when the wallet is strained, we prefer to shop at places that will accommodate our diverse tastes with a nice dash of savings. Because we know what we want. But we never really want to pay full retail price. That's why we shop designers at a discount. These mecca's of discount designer shopping need a better half to support the digital journey it's customers are on. Their websites are awful and can't compete with the likes of Gilt, Fab, OpenSky, ShopBop, MyHabit, etc. Similarly, the online site needed the content. So, in a bold move to acquire those missing personality traits each so obviously envied, they formed a marriage of sorts. By partnering with an online destination -- including their photo studio, logistics operations and web presence -- TJX pretty much married up. Well done and congratulations to the new couple. Same thing goes for Gap's latest acquisition of Intermix. Alot like marriage, a straight up purchase agreement is sometimes the best shot at a solid future together. So long as both parties extract something real and viable from the squeeze, unlike the unlikely mashup of Target and Neiman Marcus. That was straight up painful to witness.
Let's break this down.
First, just look at the idea that marriage exists. Two things -- or two people -- who come together and together result in something bigger and better than going it alone. Peanut butter and jelly is a perfect example of what that looks like. Some would say that Angelina and Brad are now more perfect than they were one week ago. (Didn't you hear? They got married on Christmas day.)
Another marriage that make sense was the Instagram plus Facebook k-i-s-s-i-n-g last year. Regardless of how you feel about the ongoing terms and conditions debacle, you are lying if you think it's a bad marriage. One billion people around the world deserve to have the best social sharing image repository of all times. Together these two powerhouses will make a union hard to crack.
And then there is the Pinterest acquisition of Punchfork. Talk about endemic content meets the theory of 'keep your enemies' close. Facebook is, well, Facebook. A billion daily customers and growing. Hitting heights of connectedness on a global level that God herself probably could not have imaged. Honestly, Mark Z. is the man. (Not to mention his lovely wife.) And Pinterest does a few things really well, too. Images. Inspiration. The art of wonder. Punchfork did those things rather well, but with a uber sharp point on making food the star via recipe sharing and social connections. Together, these two will have a very pretty baby.
TJX acquired Sierra Trading Post two weeks ago, in a 2012-year-ending move that makes me think we should expect good things to come from these two silent ships moving swiftly in step for the beach of eCommerce meets affordable retail chain operations. During tough times, the toughest of us go shopping. That's a fact. And when the wallet is strained, we prefer to shop at places that will accommodate our diverse tastes with a nice dash of savings. Because we know what we want. But we never really want to pay full retail price. That's why we shop designers at a discount. These mecca's of discount designer shopping need a better half to support the digital journey it's customers are on. Their websites are awful and can't compete with the likes of Gilt, Fab, OpenSky, ShopBop, MyHabit, etc. Similarly, the online site needed the content. So, in a bold move to acquire those missing personality traits each so obviously envied, they formed a marriage of sorts. By partnering with an online destination -- including their photo studio, logistics operations and web presence -- TJX pretty much married up. Well done and congratulations to the new couple. Same thing goes for Gap's latest acquisition of Intermix. Alot like marriage, a straight up purchase agreement is sometimes the best shot at a solid future together. So long as both parties extract something real and viable from the squeeze, unlike the unlikely mashup of Target and Neiman Marcus. That was straight up painful to witness.
My wrap-up on marriage would not be complete if I didn't spoof it all just a bit. Thank goodness I don't have to. Kelly Ripa did it for me. Watch the spot on Brad Pitt (below) and then remember what I said about peanut butter and jelly. Sometimes I prefer jelly all alone, but the latest Chanel ad actually makes me feel sorry for the peanut butter.
What do you think?
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