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<\/a><\/p>\nModified from LSVP 2010.<\/em><\/p>\n The Bonobos value proposition is to be the \u201chome of better-fitting menswear and an easier shopping experience [for men]\u201d (bonobos.com). Dunn and Spaly designed an operating model founded on digital technology to deliver this value.<\/p>\n The Perfect Fit<\/u><\/p>\n From its conception, the purpose of Bonobos was to create a better fitting pair of pants for men \u2013 not too baggy, not too tight, just right. The secret was a new curved waist band that followed the natural contour of a man\u2019s waist. The standard pants also have a trim line and medium rise that fit most men. However, the style is highly customizable, so Bonobos has the perfect fit for every shape and preference. Bonobos quickly expanded into other men\u2019s apparel, including shirts, suits, swimwear, etc., all dedicated to the perfect fit. To give you a sense of the variety available to offer the perfect fit, Bonobos has over 3,000 SKUs (across fit, color and size) in washed chinos, as well as 280 pants, 230 casual shirts, and 200 dress shirt variations (Parr 2016).<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Bonobos 2016)<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0The Perfect Experience<\/u><\/p>\n Not only does Bonobos provide the perfect fitting pant, they provide it in the perfect shopping experience for men. <\/em>Bonobos faced a challenge; on average, men only shop two times per year, compared to the average woman who shops once per month (Feloni 2015). However, Bonobos relied on digital technology to create an operating model, described below, that is quick and easy \u2013 perfect for men.<\/p>\n E-commerce\u2026<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n When Bonobos launched in 2007 it was sold exclusively online and was the first \u201cdigitally native vertical brand\u201d in the U.S. Considering that men like the easiest shopping experience possible, e-commerce was a no-brainer.\u00a0 Bonobos offered free shipping and hassle-free returns. \u00a0Bonobos differentiated itself from traditional e-commerce because it was vertically integrated, controlling its own manufacturing and distribution.<\/p>\n \u2026Turns Brick and Mortar<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n However, with the goal of increasing customer acquisition, building customer relationships, and ultimately increasing retention, Bonobos extended from e-commerce to brick and mortar. Bonobos became the first e-commerce site to create what co-founder Dunn hopes to be the \u201cstore of the future\u201d: Guideshops (Parr 2016).\u00a0 Guideshops are brick and mortar stores where customers can be fitted for style and size, but the stores don\u2019t have any inventory.\u00a0 Orders are placed online using a tablet app that seamlessly connects the guideshops to the e-commerce platform, and the clothes are shipped to the customer for free.<\/p>\n Customer Service<\/strong>: Guideshops are staffed with several \u201cNinjas,\u201d customer service representatives\/salesmen who create a pleasant shopping experience.\u00a0 They provide custom fitting, fashion advice, and BEER<\/em>! \u00a0Bonobos also offers premium customer service online and over the phone for those who don\u2019t visit a guideshop.<\/p>\n No Inventory: <\/strong>It may seem strange to walk into a clothing store that doesn\u2019t carry any inventory, but the idea is genius for men who don\u2019t want to lug around shopping bags.\u00a0 Instead, after a customer makes his purchase decisions a Ninja will place the order on the online platform.<\/p>\n Furthermore, having no inventory helps reduce holding costs and allows Bonobos be flexible in changing products in response of customer feedback and demand. It also reduces labor costs associated with inventory restocking. Bonobos\u2019 sales per square foot is one of the highest in the industry, at approximately 1,000 in retail sales per square foot, surpassed only by a few traditional brick and mortar stores, including Tiffany\u2019s, Apple, and Lululemon (Lacy 2013).<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Fast-forward eight years and Bonobos has become the largest clothing brand ever built on the web (Heroku 2016), has hit $100 Million in revenue (Parr 2016), and has recently become profitable (Feloni 2015). Bonobos has created a winning recipe by understanding that men want perfectly fitting clothes delivered in a convenient manner and creating an operating model to meet those needs.<\/p>\n To continue to grow and offer unique value, Bonobos should consider how they can make the shopping experience even easier by leveraging their online platform. For example, Bonobos could develop additional tools to make finding the perfect fit online even easier, with an interactive \u201cfit\u201d calculator.\u00a0 Bonobos could also provide interactive online fashion consulting, so men could receive outfit suggestions from the comfort of the couch.<\/p>\n Word Count: 777<\/em><\/p>\n Bonobos. 2016. Washed Chinos. https:\/\/bonobos.com\/products\/washed-chinos?color=the%20khakis&pant-fit=boot&pant-waist=36<\/a><\/p>\n Feloni, Richard. 2015. After 8 years and $128 million raised, the clock is ticking for men’s retailer Bonobos. Business Insider. http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/how-bonobos-is-maturing-into-a-major-brand-2015-8<\/a><\/p>\n Heroku. 2016. Bonobos Migrates their Personalized E-Commerce Experience from AWS to Heroku. https:\/\/www.heroku.com\/customers\/bonobos<\/a><\/p>\n Lacy, Sarah. 2013. Nice pants: Bonobos raises $30m off of strong growth and Nordstrom deal. Pando Media Inc. https:\/\/pando.com\/2013\/03\/13\/nice-pants-bonobos-raises-30m-off-of-strong-growth-and-nordstrom-deal\/<\/a><\/p>\n Lightspeed Venture Partners (LSVP). 2010. Why Lightspeed invested in Bonobos.<\/p>\n http:\/\/lsvp.com\/2010\/12\/16\/why-lightspeed-invested-in-bonobos\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n